AJ – Maturitní otázka č. 7
MUSIC
The topic I’m going to talk about now is MUSIC. At the beginning I would like you to know what music means for me.
MEANING OF MUSIC FOR ME
I can hardly imagine my life without music. The very first thing I always do when I come into my bedroom is switching the radio or the record player on. I do that because music makes me a company since I’m quite often alone, and because it functions as my charger, as well. Every time I feel exhausted, tired, sad, stressed, depressed or lonely I put on my favourite CDs and at that moment I don’t see everything so dark and feel much better. Music really helps me in many ways and listening to it is also one of the best ways how to relax and to let off steam.
SORTING OF MUSIC
Music of the world could be roughly divided into three groups: classical music, modern music and folk music.
Nowadays, the most prevalent group has been modern music. We can meet it practically everywhere because it has many forms – from the relatively quiet and harmonious ones to extremely laud and dissonant ones. To modern music belong for example pop, rock, punk or dance and electronic music, than soul, blues, swing, jazz … and many others. Most of these types of music have even their own special varieties, for instance we can listen to classical, ordinary rock but there exist also hard rock, reggae or heavy metal. Some musicians don’t perform a pure music style but a combination of them, like pop-rock or punk-rock.
The other two groups, classical and folk music, aren‘t as prevalent as the modern music, but they have still many supporters among hearers. They comprise very important part of culture of certain country and are for the culture, especially folk music, specific. Both classical and folk music were the prevailing music types performed a couple of centuries ago and the paradox is the fact that classical music was composed for enjoyment and entertainment of nobilities whereas folk music was created and played by a common men for expressing or trying to forget his everyday troubles and difficulties.
Music in whatever form is an inseparable part of our everyday lives, even without realising that. We can meet music, as I have already said, practically everywhere and it is impossible to hide ourselves from it. Music is heard at shops, pubs, restaurants, streets, means of trnasport, waiting rooms … and of course discos, cinemas, TVs and radios, where plays one of the most important roles.
Analysing of individual music styles would take much too time, and so I will tell you briefly something only about classical music.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Classical music came to existence in the early middle Ages and had the character of church music. As the time was passing by, next to church music rather different type of music was being slowly developed. This music type was typical for its instrumental and dance form without religious motives. It either didn’t serve religious, but the enjoyment, entertainment and pleasure of aristocracy, that arranged balls or celebrations, where the vivid music accompaniment was very important.
From the turn of the Middle ages and the modern times we can talk about classical music as we know it at present times since many new musical instruments were invented (for instance piano) or improved and music started having orchestral character, as well. Modern times spawned several tens extremely talented and genius musicians and composers, whose pieces of music have never been surpassed and have been highly valued and deeply admired for centuries.
Baroque music is represented by German composers Johan Sebastian Bach and Georg Friedrich Händel. It is amazing, that such genius composers coming from the same country and living at the same time period had never met each other.
Classicism is represented by Austrian composer Joseph Haydn - he is regarded as the „father of symphony“ – and his friend Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a gifted prodigy.
The most outstanding composers of romanticism are Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert. Romanticism also spawned great pianists like Frederic Chopin, Robert Schumann or Ferenc Liszt, and a marvellous violin maestro Nicolo Paganini. (Other important composers – Bartholdy, Verdi, Wagner, Čajkovskij …)
Czech classical music
Czech classical music reached the top in the 19th century. At that time, Bohemia was the heart of the muisc world with such composers as Bedřich Smetana, who composed the symphonic poem Má Vlast (motherland) – our the best known composition – or Antonín Dvořák. Other big Czech composers were Janáček or Martinů. Czech classical music has worldwide importance and Czech people are often said: „Every Czech is a musician.“
In the Czech Republic there is also annualy oreganized the biggist festival of classical music called Pražské jaro.
Symphony orchestra
Classical music is usually firmly connected with a symphony orchestra. The symphony orchestradeveloped in 18th century from a chamber orchestra as the number of musicians was being gradually increased. Present-day symphony orchestra has over 500 musicians and plays various types of music from classical pieces of music to dramatic film soundtracks.
The body of symphony orchestra is consisted of many kinds of musical instruments. We can find there for instance:
- bowed string(ed) instruments like:
- violin, contrabass (double bass, bass), viola, violoncello (cello) …
- string(ed) instruments like:
- harp, (guitar, banjo, lute, cither, cimbalom …)
- woodwind instruments like:
- flute, fipple flute, bassoon, clarinet, oboe, pipe, (ocarina) …
- brass instruments like:
- trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn, saxophone, cornet …
- keyboard instruments like:
- piano, organ, (accordion …)
- percussion instruments like:
- drum, kettledrum, triangle, (castanets, tambourine …)
ME & MUSIC
I myself like pop and rock. I don’t mind listening to classical and folk music, but just for a short time. If I had to listen to it for more than one hourevery day I would probably go mad. I would undoubtedly go mad if I had to listen to a brass bend, as well … and one hour would be enough. The reason, why I don’t like this kind of music, is the way it is played. To my ears, everything sounds identical. I can’t see any difference between single songs. I think the brass music is good only for dancing polka or waltz when you have to concentrate your mind on dance steps. The other music I can’t stand is country-and-western, because my parents and my sister love it and country songs are played in our family every day. Then, I’m not very fond of bagpipes – I hate that piping and grating sound – and ethnic music isn‘t also my cup of tea.
But let’s go back to my favourite music. As you could have already heard, I like pop and rock but I haven’t said yet I prefer foreign artists. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know it myself. I just like them much more than Czech ones. My most favourite groups of all are definitely Roxette from Sweden and then the Scottish Cranberries. Not long time ago I found out that the Beatles are also really cool and so I have been listening largely to them recently, but still … I think Roxette will be the number one for me, forever. When I feel like listening to something harder I usually put Nirvana or Lenny Kravitz on. Among single singers I prefer Madonna. I like listening to also a few artists from the SlovakRepublic. According to me, Miro Žbirka and a group called No name are very good.
The main reason why I like just these groups is on one hand the way they play because all of them use the electric and bass guitars whose sounds I do love, and on the other hand it is their lyrics. Words of some their songs are really brilliant.
GUITAR
I mentioned I liked the sounds of electric guitars. Guitar is actually my the most favourite music instrument of all and my big dream has always been to be able to play it perfectly well. When I was younger I was learning to play it, but since I was an autodidact I never learnt it properly. I must be a bit out of practise now because I haven’t held my guitar for almost a year, but after studies I’m going to start playing it again. An ordinary guitar I like very much but I‘m more fascinated by electric and bass guitars. I deeply admire everybody who can play them perfectly well.
Guitar is medially big six stringed instrument. It has two main parts: a pear-shaped hollow wooden body with a rounded gap on its front side and a long neck ended with a flat part bearing six little pegs, which are used for tightening and tuning the strings.
The sound arises from twanging the strings and is amplified by the round gap.
ROXETTE
Now, I would like to tell you several details and news about my group number one – Roxette. Roxette comes from Sweden and is created by two persons - the vocalist Marie Fredderickson and the guitarist Per Gessle. Per sings as well, but he’s mainly songwriter.
They had started working together in 1985, broke through with the single „The Look“ in 1989 and the first half of 90’s was their the most shiny period of their careers. Until present time they have produced more than 8 albums and numerous very successful singles. They also arranged several concert tours.
One of their concerts took place in Prague last year … and I couldn’t have missed it, of course. It was unforgettable and exciting experience and if I could attend a concert of theirs one more time I would do that without a second thought.
At the moment, there are some rumours about breaking the group up because Marie was found a tumour in her brain and it is possible she won’t be able to sing any more … it would be a pity since she has a marvellous voice.
Vocabulary
hardly ['ha:dli]sotva, stěží
to function ['faņkšn]fungovat, pracovat
charger ['tša:dž∂r]na/dobíječ
exhausted [ig'zo:stid]vyčerpaný, unavený
to let off steamodreagovat se
prevalent ['prev∂l∂nt]převládající
relatively ['rel∂tivli]poměrně, relativně
harmoniousmelodický,
[ha:'mouni∂s] harmonický
dissonant ['dis∂n∂nt]disharmonický,
nelibozvučný
variety [v∂'rai∂ti]druh, typ
musician [mju:'zišn]hudebník
hearer ['hi∂r∂r]posluchač
to comprisetvořit (část něčeho)
[k∂m'praiz]
prevailing [pri'veiliņ]převládající,
převažující
paradox ['pær∂doks]paradox
whereas [we∂'ræz]kdežto, zatímco
nobility [nou'biliti]šlechta
common menprostý člověk
difficulty ['difik∂lti]potíž, problém
inseparableneoddělitelný
[in'sepr∂bl]
to analyse ['æn∂laiz]rozebrat
individualindividuální,
[indi'vidžu∂l] jednotlivý
briefly ['bri:fli]stručně
the Middle Agesstředověk
instrumentalinstrumentální
[instru'mentl]
motive ['moutiv]motiv
enjoymentpožitek, radost,
[in'džoiment] potěšení
entertainmentzábava, pobavení,
[ent∂'teinm∂nt]obveselení
pleasure ['plež∂r]potěšení
vivid ['vivid]živý, svěží, čilý
accompanimentdoprovod
[∂'kamp∂nim∂nt]
orchestral [o:'kestr∂l]orchestrální
to spawn [spo:n]zrodit, zplodit
to surpass [s∂'pa:a]předčít, překonat
baroque [b∂'rok]barokní, baroko
classicismklasicismus
['klæsisiz∂m]
to be regarded asbyt považován za
[ri'ga:did]
romanticismromantismus
[r∂'mæntisiz∂m]
outstanding [aut's …]vynikající, význačný
violin maestrohouslový virtuos
['maistrou]
worldwidecelosvětový
medially ['mi:di∂li]středně
pear-shaped [pe∂ …]hruškovitý (tvar)
hollow [holou]dutý
to tighten ['taitn]napnout
to arise from [∂'raiz]vycházet z
twanging [tvæņiņ]brnkání
to amplify ['æmplifai]zesílit
to go madzešílet, zbláznit se
brass banddechovka
undoubtedlynepochybně
[an'dautidli]
polka ['polk∂]polka
waltz [wo:ls]valčík
dance stepstaneční kroky
country-and-westerncountry hudba
largely ['la:džli]převážně
definitely ['defin∂tli]definitivně, určitě
electric guitarelektrická kytara
to be out of practisevyjít ze cviku
album ['ælb∂m]album
bagpipedudy
grating [greitiņ]drásavý, ostrý
ethnic musicetnická hudba
autodidactsamouk
to break through prorazit
varied ['ve∂rid]různý
variation [ve∂ri'eišn]varianta, obměna
VOCABULARY 2
hudbamusic
hudební/ně musical/ly
druhy hudby kinds of music
vážná hudbaclassical music
moderní hudbamodern music
současná hudbacontemporary music
chrámová hudbachurch music
komorní hudbachamber music
lidová hudbahillbilly/folk music
pochodová hudba,march
pochod
populární hudba, poppopular music, pop
scénická hudbaincidental music
taneční hudbadance music
vokální hudbavocal music
rocková hudba, rockrock music, rock
reggae (druh rockové h.)reggae
hard rock (tvrdý rock)hard rock
heavy metal (tvrdý rock)heavy metal
punk rockpunk rock
folková hudba, folkfolk
bluegrass (druh lidovébluegrass
hudby zKentucky)
countrycountry,
country-and-western
swingswing
jazzjazz
bluesblues
soulsoul music
elektronická hudbaelectronic music
acid house (druhacid house
elektronické hudby)
technotechno
hudba vpozadíbackground music
barokní hudbabaroque
mírná, tichá hudbasoft music
hudebníci/muzikantimusicians
autor písněsongwriter
textař (popul. písní)lyricist
skladatelcomposer
lidový zpěvákfolk singer
tanečník/cedancer
houslistaviolinist, fiddler
violistaviola player, violist
basistabass player, bassist
kontrabasistacontrabassist
kytaristaguitarist
loutnistalutenist
citeristazitherist
harfenistaharpist
fagotistabassoonist
flétnistaflute player, flutist
hobojistaoboist
klarinetistaclarinettist
pozounistatrombonist
saxofonistasaxophonist
trubačtrumpeter, bugler
trumpetistatrumpeter
bubeníkdrummer,
percussionist
pianista, klavírista,pianist, piano player
hráč na piano/klavír
cembalistaharpsichordist
varhaníkorganist
dudákpiper, bagpiper
flašinetářorgan grinder
pouličníbusker
hudebník/zpěvák
dirigentconductor
kapelníkbandmaster
sbormistrchoirmaster
hlava skupinybandleader
hudební tělesamusic
ensembles/bodies
duo, duetduo, duet
triotrio
kvartetoquartet
kvintetoquintet
sextetosextet, sextette, sestet
septetoseptet
oktetooctet
orchestrorchestra
komorní orchestrchamber orchestra
symfonický orchestrsymphony
/philharmonic
orchestra
kapelaband
pěvecký sbor choir, chorus
skupinagroup
hudební nástrojemusical instruments
dechové nástrojewind instruments
fagot bassoon
klarinetclarinet
hobojoboe
picola (malá flétna)piccolo
píšťala (příčná)fife
flétnaflute
zobcová flétnafipple flute, recorder
píšťalkapipe, whistle
píšťalareed
okarínaocarina
žes’tové nástrojebrass instruments
pozoun, trombóntrombone
tubasousaphone, tuba, bass
horn
helikonhelicon
lesní rohFrench horn, horn
lovecký rohhunting horn
křídlovkaflugelhorn
trumpeta, trubkatrumpet
kornetcornet
saxofonsaxophone, sax
foukací harmonikamouth harp, mouth
organ, harmonica
klávesový nástrojkeyboard
piáno, klavírpiano
koncertní křídlogrand piano, concert
grand
pianino, spinetcottage/upright piano,
spinet
cembaloharpsichord
varhanyorgan
malé pokojové varhanychamber organ
akordeon, tahacíaccordion, piano
harmonika accordion, concertina
dudybagpipe, pipes
flašinethand/street/barrel
organ, hurdy-gurdy
smyčcový nástrojbowed stringed
instrument
housleviolin, (hovorově) fiddle
kontrabascontrabass, bass fiddle
basabass, double bass
violaviola
violoncellovioloncello, cello
strunný nástrojstring(ed) instrument
kytaraguitar
basová kytarabass guitar
elektrofonická kytaraelectric guitar
havajská kytarasteel guitar
bendžobanjo
harfaharp
loutnalute
citeracither, zither
mandolínamandolin
balalajkabalalaika
cimbálcymbal, cimbalom,
dulcimer
bicí nástrojpercussion instrument
bubendrum
tympánkettledrum
tamtamtom-tom
kastanětycastanets
tamburínatambourine, tumbrel
triangltriangle
vibrafonvibraphone
tanecdance/dancing
tančitto dance
baletballet
bolerobolero
břišní tanecbelly-dance
charlestonCharleston
čtverylkaquadrille
foxtrotfoxtrot
kankáncancan
klasický tanecballroom dancing
kvapíkgallop
lidový tanecfolk-dance
mambomambo
mazurkamazurka
menuetminuet
polkapolka
polonézapolonaise
rejdovák (skotský tanec)reel
rokenrolrock and roll
rumbarumba
sambasamba
skotská (skotský lidovýschottische
tanec)
stepsteppe
tangotango
valčíkwaltz
notynotes
celá notasemibreve
půlová notaminim, half note
čtvrťová notaquarter note, crotchet
osminová notaeight note, quaver
šestnáctinová notasixteenth note,
semiquaver
(notový) klíčclef
houslový klíčtreble clef
basový klíčbass clef
notový papírmusic paper
číst znoty/notyto read music
zpívat znotto sing at sight
akordchord
tóntone
vysoká tónhigh-pitched tone
rytmusrhythm
písněsongs
slokastrophe, verse
refrénchorus, refrain
melodie, nápěvmelody, tune
harmonieharmony
serenádaserenade
ukolébavkalullaby, cradle song
vánoční koledaChristmas carol, noel
hymnus, chvalozpěvhymn
hymnaanthem
kantátacantata
chorálchoral, chorale
žalmpsalm
žalozpěv, elegieelegy, lament, dirge
kánoncanon
bluesblues
šansonchanson
hithit, (hovorově) smash
operaopera
symfonická báseňsymphony poem
předehraoverture
operetaoperetta, light opera
muzikálmusical
slaďákweepie, schmaltz
odrhovačkaworn-out song
námořnická píseňchantey, chanty
baladaballad
hlavní melodie, znělkatheme
hrátto play
hrát na hud. nástrojto play an instrument
hrát falešněto play off-key
dohrát (hudba)to stop
znít, rozléhat se (zvuk)to ring
zesílit (zvuk)to amplify
ztichnout (hudba)to cease
skládat/komponovatto compose
poklepávat sito tap
(do rytmu)
řvát na plné peckyto blast
dirigovatto conduct
laditto tune (up)
zhudebnitto set st. to music
zvuková aparaturasound system
klavírní strunapiano wire
taktovkabaton
stolička kpianupiano stool
strunastring
paličky (na buben)drumsticks
ladičkadiapason
trsátkoplectrum
smyčecbow, fiddlestick
mikrofonmicrophone
text písnělyrics, words
koncertconcert
dobročinný koncertbenefit concert
festivalfestival
směs (různých žánrů)fusion
hitparádahit parade
skladbacomposition, piece of
music
rozladěný, falešnýoff-key, flat
nepříjemný (hudba)uneasy
druhý hlascounter melody
prstokladfingering
klavírní uměnípianism
nosičmedium
kazeta (hudebnítape
nahrávka), páska
gramofonová deskarecord
cédéčkoCD, compact disc
videoklipmusic video