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MUSIC. Hello! Now I'm going to tell you about music in Britain.
Many more people listen to music than in the past.
Whereas then you had to go to a concert or, perhaps, listen to the radio, nowadays nearly
everyone has some kind of music system on which they can hear the music of their choice.
There are still record players on which you can listen to long-playing records (LPs),
although most music is now recorded on tape, either on CDs or cassettes.
These can be used in a walkman, which is particularly useful while you're sitting on a bus or train,
in your car stereo, to make driving more interesting, or at home with a hi-fi system that gives
excellent reproduction of sound. Some people prefer classical music. Many know
a lot about it and will buy a recording of a particular performance of a particular work,
symphony or concerto, by their favourite composer (Mozart or Beethoven,
for example), played by a well-known orchestra, such as the London Philarmonic, conducted
by the conductor of their choice, Riccardo Muti, for example.
In the opera singer Pavarotti sang the aria which the BBC used to introduce the football
World Cup on television. Since then opera has become a little bit better
known but there are still not many people interested in it.
Ballet is not very popular either but most people have heard of "Swan Lake".
Many more people prefer pop music, which is of different kinds and can be played or sung
by solo artists or by groups. Sometimes the words of the songs are written
by the singers themselves. In some cases it is the sounds that are important
so the words have little meaning. Often, however, the words carry specific messages,
in particular for young people, who are the keenest fans of pop music and pop stars.
Most groups nowadays use electronic equipment such as a synthesizer and electric guitar.
Percussion is also important as it gives rhythm, which is often more important than the melody.
Bye! That's all for now!