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ludwig van beethoven1 was one of the greatest musicians in the 19 th century. john lennon2 was one of the greatest musicians in the 20 th century. although there is a period of about 200 years between them, they are quite similar in certain ways.
both men expressed the spirit of their time in their music. beethoven lived in the period of rising capitalism. at that time, people were trying to break the shackles of feudalism3 , and they were pursuing freedom, equality, and universal love. this social trend, especially the french revolution, greatly inspired beethoven. his music was very active, passionate, and vigorous. some of his works praised heroism, some conveyed the love for nature, and some extolled4 harmony among people. similarly, lennon’s music revealed his time. in the 1960s and 1970 s, the youth in america were deeply frustrated by the discrimination and injustice in the society and were longing to build a new one . most of lennon’s songs expressed the ideas of the youth. in one of his songs entitled imagine, he sings,“imagine all the people , living under peace ”, and“the world will be united together as one”. these words show his anti-war attitude and his hope for peace , and reflect the spirit of the 60s and 70 s.
both men were social rebels to some extent. they refused to bow to social conventions and power. beethoven was a devoted republican . when napoleon5 was in power, who claimed to be a defender of republicanism, beethoven admired him so much that he dedicated his symphony no. 3, the theme of which is heroism, to him. but then napoleon crowned6 himself and became an emperor. beethoven was so angry that he openly declared he took back what he had said about napoleon, regardless of possible persecution. lennon was also considered a trouble-maker by the authorities because of his support for youth movements. for a time he was not even allowed to give public performances. but he ignored all this and stuck to his belief.
阅读自测
Ⅰ. fin d the correct me anings of the words in the left from the right side :
1. passionate a. praise somebody or something highly
2. dedicate b. discouraged, not satisfied
3. frustrated c. caused by or showing strong feelings
4. stick to d. not change something; keep to
5. extol e. address ( one’s book, a piece of music) to somebody as a way of showing respect
Ⅱ. fill in the blanks :
1. at the time of capitalism, people were trying to break the _____________( 枷锁) of feudalism to pursue freedom _____________( 平等) and _____________( 博爱) . 2. in the 60 s and 70s, the youth in america were deeply frustrated by the _____________( 歧 视) and _____________( 不公正) in the society and were longing to build a new one. 3. they refused to bow to social _____________( 习俗) and power and beethoven was a _____________( 忠实的) republican. 4. but then napoleon ________( 加冕) himself and became an emperor.