音乐语言(The Language of Music)

apainterhangshisorherfinishedpicturesonawall,andeveryonecanseeit.acomposerwritesawork,butnoonecanhearituntilitisperformed.professionalsingersandplayershavegreatresponsibilities,forthecomposerisutterlydependentonthem.astudentofmusicneedsaslongandasarduousatrainingtobecomeaperformerasamedicalstudentneedstobecomeadoctor.mosttrainingisconcernedwithtechnique,formusicianshavetohavethemuscularproficiencyofanathleteoraballetdancer.singerspracticebreathingeveryday,astheirvocalchordswouldbeinadequatewithoutcontrolledmuscularsupport.stringplayerspracticemovingthefingersofthelefthandupanddown,whiledrawingthebowtoandfrowiththerightarm-twoentirelydifferentmovements.

singersandinstrumentshavetobeabletogeteverynoteperfectlyintune.pianistsaresparedthisparticularanxiety,forthenotesarealreadythere,waitingforthem,anditisthepianotunersresponsibilitytotunetheinstrumentforthem.buttheyhavetheirowndifficulties;thehammersthathitthestringhavetobecoaxednottosoundlikepercussion,andeachoverlappingtonehastosoundclear.thisproblemofgettingcleartextureisonethatconfrontsstudentconductors:theyhavetolearntoknoweverynoteofthemusicandhowitshouldsound,andtheyhavetoaimatcontrollingthesesoundwithfanaticalbutselflessauthority.

techniqueisofnouseunlessitiscombinedwithmusicalknowledgeandunderstanding.greatartistsarethosewhoaresothoroughlyathomeinthelanguageofmusicthattheycanenjoyperformingworkswritteninanycentury.