The Triumph and Tragedy of Johann Sebastian Bach　巴哈的成功与悲剧

he Triumph and Tragedy of Johann Sebastian Bach巴哈的成功与悲剧 by Brian Foden

One of classical music's greatest composers didn't have an easy life. 古典音乐其中一位最伟大的作曲家却没有平顺的一生。

Ask anyone to name the best classical composers of all time and Johann Sebastian Bach will almost inevitably be at or near the top of the list. Examples of his enormous influence include statues erected in his honor, streets named after him, and samples of his works blasted into outer space for aliens to discover.
Born into a family of musicians in the city of Eisenach, Germany in 1685, Bach experienced tragedy at an early age. When he was nine years old, his mother died, and eight months later, his father, the man that taught him how to play the violin and harpsichord, also passed away. Bach then went to live with his oldest brother, Johann Christoph Bach, who helped develop his brother's skill on the harpsichord and organ. Later, Bach won a scholarship to study at a prestigious school, where his fine singing voice was recognized. After graduating, he held several musical posts in Germany, including being the director of music for Prince Leopold. Bach's most productive period for musical composition was from 1708 to 1717.
Tragedy revisited Bach in his adulthood. After his marriage to his second cousin, Maria Barbara Bach, the couple had seven children, three of whom died young. Then, in 1720, Bach's wife suddenly died. He remarried shortly thereafter, and this union with Anna Magdalena Wilcke produced 13 children. Unfortunately, only six of those saw adulthood.
Bach died in 1750 at the age of 65. Historians believe it was a stroke and pneumonia that killed him. During his lifetime, Bach was known as a superb musician and teacher. It wasn't until the early 19th century that his genius as a composer began to be fully appreciated.
1. Which is NOT mentioned as a way Bach has been honored?
(A) Specially prepared paths that people use for transportation.
(B) Pieces of art constructed in memory of him.
(C) Sending his music into outer space.
(D) Naming space shuttles after him.
2. Who taught Bach how to play musical instruments?
(A) His second wife.
(B) His mother.
(C) His father.
(D) His second cousin.
3. Why is the period from 1708 to 1717 mentioned in the article?
(A) It was when Bach wrote the most music.
(B) It was when he took his talent on the road.
(C) It was when he earned his reputation as a great violinist.
(D) It was how long his first marriage lasted.
4. (A) Tragedy struck Bach's family.
(B) People began to think of Bach as a stellar composer.
(C) Bach became a music teacher.
(D) Bach passed away due to lung cancer.

1. tragedy n. 悲剧
2. classical a. 古典的
3. composer n. 作曲家
4. outer space外太空
5. alien n. 外星人
6. harpsichord n. 大键琴；羽管键琴
7. organ n. 风琴
8. scholarship n. 奖学金（可数）
9. prestigious a. 有名望的
10. post n. 职位
11. composition n. 作曲；写作
12. revisit vt. 再度造访
13. union n. 结合；结婚
14. historian n. 历史学家
15. stroke n. 中风
16. pneumonia n. 肺炎
17. superb a. 一流的
18. construct vt. 建造，建构
19. space shuttle太空梭
20. violinist n. 小提琴家
21. last vi. 持续

1. die young早逝
2. think of A as B认为 A 是 B
   = regard A as B
   = see A as B
   = view A as B
   = consider A (to be) B

"数量词 + of + 关系代名词" 的用法
注意∶
Mr. Johnson has taught many students, two of them have become noted scientists.
（×，两句无连接词连接）
补救之道∶
a. 分号
Mr. Johnson has taught many students; two of them have become noted scientists.
强森先生教了许多学生；其中两位已成知名的科学家。 b. 数量词 + of + 关系代名词（whom 或 which ）
Mr. Johnson has taught many students, two of whom have become noted scientists.
强森先生教了许多学生，其中两位已成知名的科学家。

1. of all time有史以来
   Michael Jordan is regarded by many as the greatest basketball player of all time.
   麦可．乔丹被许多人认为是有史以来最伟大的篮球员。
2. inevitably adv. 不可避免地
   The workers were careless, which inevitably led to many mistakes.
   这些工人很粗心，以致无可避免地犯下许多错误。
3. at the top of...在……的顶端
   Don't forget to write your name at the top of the test paper.
   不要忘记在考卷的顶端写上你的名字。
4. enormous a. 巨大的，庞大的
   John has an enormous amount of energy in the mornings.
   约翰在早上体力很充沛。
5. erect vt. 建立，树立
   The soldiers erected a guard tower at the edge of their camp.
   士兵在他们的营区边缘建了一座守卫塔。
6. in one's honor纪念某人；向某人致敬
   Sam will hold a special dinner in his father's honor.
   山姆将举办一场特别的晚宴来纪念他的父亲。
7. be named after...以……命名
   My son is named after a famous singer.
   我儿子是以一位著名歌手来命名。
8. blast vt. 发射（火箭等）
   The rocket was blasted into space on a clear October morning.
   那艘火箭在一个晴朗的 10 月早晨发射升空。
9. pass away过世
   Jason's grandmother passed away last week.
   杰森的奶奶上周过世了。
10. recognize vt. 认定，认可
    The manager finally recognized Rob's ability to be a leader.
    经理终於认可罗伯有成为领导人的能力。
11. productive a. 多产的
    Paul runs a highly productive factory in China.
    保罗在中国经营一间高产能的工厂。
12. adulthood n. 成年期
    in one's adulthood在某人成年时
    The tribe's young boys completed the rite and passed into adulthood.
    该部落的年轻男孩完成了仪式并迈向成年。
13. shortly thereafter之後没多久
    Frank graduated from college two years ago. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Brazil.
    法兰克两年前大学毕业。之後没多久，他就搬到巴西去了。
14. be known as + 身分以……身分出名
    Lord Byron was known as a poet.
    拜伦以身为诗人而闻名。
15. genius n. 才能（常用单数）；天才
    Nick has a genius for raising money.
    尼克有筹募资金这方面的才能。
    My six-year-old cousin Peggy is a math genius.
    我 6 岁的表妹佩姬是个数学天才。
16. appreciate vt. 欣赏
    The class is designed to help students appreciate art.
    这门课设计来帮助学生欣赏艺术。
17. on the road在旅途中
    The rock band has been on the road over the past six months.
    那个摇滚乐团过去 6 个月以来一直都在巡回表演。
18. earn one's reputation某人获得名声
    Steven earned his reputation as a novelist when he was 20 years old.
    史提芬 20 岁时赢得了小说家的名声。
19. strike vt. 侵袭
    三态为∶strike, struck, struck。
    A terrible typhoon struck Taiwan last week.
    上周有个可怕的台风侵袭台湾。
20. stellar a. 出色的；优秀的
    Mark gave a stellar performance at the festival.
    马克在这场庆典中表现出色。

巴哈的成功与悲剧
古典音乐其中一位最伟大的作曲家却没有平顺的一生。
如果你要任何人列出有史以来最优秀的古典音乐作曲家，约翰．

塞巴斯丁．巴哈几乎都无可避免地会被列在前几名。巴哈对人们巨大影响的例子包括为纪念他而建的雕像、以他命名的街道，以及发射到外太空让外星人去发现的作品样本。
巴哈在 1685 年出生於一个位於德国艾森纳赫市的音乐世家，他年纪很轻就经历了悲剧。他 9 岁时母亲就过世了，而 8 个月後，教导他拉小提琴和弹奏大键琴的父亲也撒手人寰。巴哈後来去和他的大哥约翰．克里斯多夫．巴哈一起住，他大哥帮助他将弹奏大键琴和风琴的技巧更加精进。之後，巴哈赢得了奖学金得以进入一所颇富盛名的学校就读，在那里他卓越的歌声受到肯定。毕业之後，他在德国担任了几份音乐方面的职位，其中还包括担任利奥波尔王子的宫廷音乐长。巴哈的音乐作品产量最多的时期是从 1708 年到 1717 年。
巴哈成年时，悲剧又再度造访。在他和他的二堂妹玛丽亚．芭芭拉．巴哈结婚之後，这对夫妻生了 7 个孩子，而其中有 3 个很早就夭折了。接著在 1720 年，巴哈的妻子突然过世了。他不久之後便再婚，而他和安娜．玛德莲娜．威尔肯结婚生下了 13 名子女。很不幸地，其中只有 6 位长大成人。
巴哈在 1750 年过世，享年 65 岁。历史学家相信他的死因是中风和肺炎。在他一生中，巴哈以一流音乐家和老师的身份而闻名。直到 19 世纪初，他身为作曲家的天份才开始完全获得欣赏。

1. 下列哪一种纪念巴哈的方式未被提及？
(A) 特别准备供人们来往的道路。请见文章第 1 段
(B) 建造用来纪念他的艺术品。请见文章第 1 段
(C) 将他的音乐传往外太空。请见文章第 1 段
(D) 以他来命名太空梭。
题解∶根据上述，只有 (D) 选项未被提及，故选之。
2. 谁教导巴哈弹奏乐器？
(A) 他的第二任妻子。
(B) 他的母亲。
(C) 他的父亲。
(D) 他的二堂妹。
题解∶根据本文第二段，他 9 岁时母亲就过世了，而 8 个月後，教导他弹奏小提琴和大键琴的父亲也撒手人寰，

可知答案应选 (C)。
3. 文章中为何提到 1708 年到 1717 年这段时间？
(A) 这是巴哈创作出最多音乐作品的时期。
(B) 这是他在旅途中善用天赋的时期。
(C) 这是他赢得伟大小提琴家美誉的时期。
(D) 这是他第一段婚姻持续的时间。
题解∶根据本文第二段，巴哈的音乐作品产量最多的时期是从 1708 年到 1717 年，可知 (A) 应为正选。
4. 下列何者最晚发生？
(A) 悲剧发生在巴哈的家庭。
(B) 人们开始认为巴哈是位杰出的作曲家。
(C) 巴哈成为音乐老师。
(D) 巴哈因为肺癌而过世。
题解∶根据本文第四段，直到 19 世纪初，巴哈身为作曲家的天份才开始完全被欣赏，而巴哈於 1750 年过世，可知答案应选 (B)。

答案∶1. (D)2. (C)3. (A)4. (B)