Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 234
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 234 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST
READING PASSAGE – 1
Orchestral Conductors
What are they doing up there?
A. Before around 1810, conductors who were not playing musical instruments themselves were relatively rare on the musical stage. It was generally the lead member of an ensemble, such as a harpsichord player or violinist who directed the tempo of a performance. Johann Sebastian Bach normally conducted his music as the principal first violin, and it is worth remembering that the sole purpose of a conductor then was simply to beat the time. As compositions became more complex and more instruments joined the orchestra at the beginning of the nineteenth century, conductors became a necessity. It began with composers conducting their own works. Notably, Mozart conducted the first performance of The Magic Flute in 1791 in Vienna, and Joseph Haydn did the same with the premiere of Creation in 1798. Beethoven conducted his work. So did Berlioz, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Mahler, and Strauss, but generally these days composers let others take the role.
B. There is a mystique that surrounds conductors. How is it that a man (and until this century it has generally been a man) waving his arms around in front of an orchestra can affect the outcome to such a degree that some conductors have become famous and in demand? Conductors are musical performers just like instrumentalists, but the complete orchestra is their instrument. When an instrumentalist is playing, they cannot really hear the other instruments. From their position above and in front of the orchestra, the conductor can hear all of them, and knowing what the piece should sound like, they keep all the musicians in time with each other. Over the years, conducting has developed artistically to integrate the musical interpretations of all the musicians on stage. Orchestral musicians attest to the fact that the person standing in front of them does affect their performance and that of the whole group. Musicians have their favorites – if they feel confident in the hands of a certain conductor, they feel their own playing improves and they coordinate better as a group.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
C. These days a conductor is proficient on at least one instrument to a professional level. A conductor often has their start as member of an orchestra and their musical education has involved instrumental training. Some music degrees offer courses in conducting, but this is relatively rare. Conductors need to have a clear understanding and working knowledge of all the instruments and voices being conducted. They are expected to know the score before they arrive at the rehearsal stage and they do not usually sight-read on the performance podium, though the score with their annotations is in front of them.
D. The conductor’s job is to communicate the music with the players, but also beyond that, to the listeners. The moment a conductor steps onto the stage they begin connecting with the musicians and audience. On the walk to the podium, they squeeze through an often crowded performance space, usually with a smile, and acknowledge the audience and performers, shake hands with the concertmaster (the leadviolinist) and take a bow. What the conductor is wearing can effectively add to the impression they give the audience during ‘the walk’. Mostly conductors wear formal concert dress, which is a black suit with tails or some other kind of formal suit, but they often add a personal touch, such as different coloured shoes or tie, or sport an unusual haircut.
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E The conductor then turns their back on the audience and the music commences. Though the audience cannot see, the conductor has intense eye contact with ensemble members during the performance. Then comes the famous arm waving. This is what mystifies many people. What does it convey? Firstly it is for the timekeeping of precise rhythm, which allows the ensemble to have the greatest chance of performing as a single unit. Conductors traditionally use a baton to help them keep time, although some do not. This is an individual choice and can vary with the size of the orchestra and the style of the repertoire being performed.
F The beating arm that holds the baton is usually the right, if the conductor is right-handed. The conductor’s hand or tip of the baton flicks quickly upward on the downbeat and then traces a shape in the air that has the same number of points as the time signature, such as a triangle for waltz time or a cross when there are four beats to a bar. But these days they do more than just beat the time. When the conductor seems to be gesturing to a section of musicians to come to them with their left hand, they are probably asking for more volume or more feeling from that section. When they suddenly point to a player or section, they are asking them to begin to play. So, far from being random, the movements made with each hand are extremely significant for the musicians, as well as being entertaining for the audience. Each conductor has their own body language and style, but they are all performing the same tasks. A conductor serves as a messenger for the composer and it is their responsibility to understand the music and convey it through gesture so that the musicians in the orchestra understand it perfectly.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 1-5
Reading Passage 1 has six paragraphs, A-F.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct number, A-F, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
1. the reason why the audience might not understand a conductor’s influence
2. an explanation of how the role of conductor has changed
3. the suggestion that a conductor’s appeal is more than just the music produced
4. a mention of an object that some conductors make use of
5. an account of how well prepared conductors are
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Questions 6-7
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Which TWO of the points mentioned in the text show how conductors differ from other orchestra members?
A. performing the music
B. hearing all the musicians
C. having a musical education
D. learning the score beforehand
E. being the last one on stage
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 8-9
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Which TWO facts about conductors mentioned in the text that now rarely occur?
A. They are also composers.
B. They can play a musical instrument.
C. They have a score in front of them on stage.
D. They wear formal clothes.
E. They mainly control the tempo.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
Questions 10-13
Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 1?
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.
10. Before 1810 some composers conducted their work.
11. Instrumentalists do not comment on the proficiency of a conductor.
12. Conductors usually study composition in their music degree.
13. Pointing at a musician is a signal for them to play.
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ANSWER ARE BELOW
IELTS Academic Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. E
2. A
3. D
4. E
5. C
6. B
7. E
8. A
9. E
10. YES
11. NO
12. NOT GIVEN
13. YES
IELTS Academic Reading Test