外研版选修一册第四单元听力练习

Unit 4 Meeting the muse

Today, we are going to talk about perhaps the most famous piece of classical music in the world, The Ode to Joy, by the well-known composer Ludwig van Beethoven. This work was first performed in Vienna, Austria on 7 May 1824. Even though Beethoven was by then completely deaf, he conducted the singers and orchestra himself. As his last great work, this performance of The Ode to Joy literally took the breath away of all who heard it. Sadly, Beethoven himself could not hear his audience applaud at the end of the performance. At about 23 minutes in length, The Ode to Joy is actually the fourth movement – or part – of a much longer piece, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. In the beginning, the music is quite dramatic and serious. Then you begin to hear the famous song that we all love, being softly played. This creates a strong contrast with the earlier dramatic music. The music slowly grows louder as other instruments join in. Finally, everyone in the orchestra is playing with great passion. Then the first voice is heard – a man singing in German. Then all the singers join in. Through their voices and the orchestra's music, it sounds as though you can hear an explosion of pure joy. You cannot help but feel lifted up by it. The orchestra grows quiet again, until finally the music begins to build again and the symphony comes to a loud and wonderful end. It is widely believed that The Ode to Joy is the greatest classical work ever written, and I personally think that listening to it would put a smile on anyone's face.