1 . Best of British: Artists’ residences
Get up close with the inspiring places Britain’s most vibrant artists called home.
Red House, London
Nothing better represents the commitment of William Morris, the creative genius of interiors (内饰) to beauty than his striking home in London. From delicate patterns on the doors, to the decorated gardens, the Red House shows a strong medieval style.
The Mackintosh House, Glasgow
Located on the site of the former home of legendary architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, the reconstructed Mackintosh House offers a rare insight into their private lives. Furnished with the couple’s own furniture, everything has been considered in order to recreate the original interior as faithfully as possible.
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, Cornwall
Though she was born in Yorkshire, British sculptor (雕塑家) Barbara Hepworth moved to Cornwall and stayed there for the rest of her life. She claimed that there was a quality of inspiration to be drawn from the Cornish skyline and sea view that she simply couldn’t obtain from the city. It was Hepworth’s wish that her home would be turned into a museum of her work.
Henry Moore Foundation, Hertfordshire
Sculptor Henry Moore found his Muse in the beautiful Hertfordshire village of Perry Green and created many of his most famous works there. Unlike traditional galleries, visitors can get close with these impressive structures. Access to Moore’s home is through guided tours only. Visit on a sunny day, take a picnic, and experience the scenic village in person!
1. Which residence is influenced by medieval styles?| A．Red House. |
| B．The Mackintosh House. |
| C．Henry Moore Foundation. |
| D．Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. |
| A．It is the current residence of Mackintosh. |
| B．It is rebuilt to improve Mackintosh’s life. |
| C．It restores the interior design of the Mackintoshs’. |
| D．It reflects Mackintosh’s faith in original furniture design. |
| A．Both sculptors take inspiration from nature. |
| B．Both sites allow close contact with the designers. |
| C．Both residences will be turned into urban museums. |
| D．Both sites allow tours accompanied by the guide only. |
2 . What is an orchestral (管弦乐) musician’s job? To show up in glamorous concert halls, give the best performances humanly possible, then pack up and go home? Or is it something more than that?
To cellist (大提琴演奏家) Yo-Yo Ma, what happens in gilded venues such as Orchestra Hall, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), is but one facet of what a classical musician can do. The rest occurs beyond the spotlight, when musicians venture out into neighborhoods and try to change the world. That’s what Ma and young colleagues have done during his decade-long tenure as the CSO’s creative consultant.
Ma has tried to influence a generation of young musicians. When Ma wasn’t performing alongside the Civic Orchestra, he was visiting Chicago Public Schools, giving “Concerts for Peace,” helping design a Symphony concert series for ages 3 to 5 and inspiring Civic musicians to bring their art to correctional facilities, homeless shelters, violence-plagued Chicago neighborhoods and other places where they’re desperately needed. The idea has been to persuade gifted young musicians to think beyond the rigors (艰苦) of their instruments and the lure of the limelight, to envision how their music can change people’s lives.
The question is whether Ma’s passion for using music to serve society — and to address its many ills — has compelled the Civic Orchestra musicians to do likewise on their own. The best indications come from the young artists themselves, particularly those who have become Civic Fellows, a program launched in 2013 to propel them into “teaching, community engagement and program planning,” according to the orchestra.
Violist Helen Hess was in the first wave of Civic Fellows. “The visit to the homeless shelter was the first time I’d been anywhere like that. It opens your eyes to things you might never have been exposed to. It’s taught me to find common ground and interact with different kinds of people,” Hess said.
1. What has Yo-Yo Ma been inspiring young musicians to do?| A．Put true feelings into their music. |
| B．Make a difference through music. |
| C．Attract more children to learn music. |
| D．Show the best of themselves on stage. |
| A．It is a result of Yo-Yo Ma’s influence. |
| B．It was founded by Yo-Yo Ma in 2013. |
| C．It aims to build confidence in young artists. |
| D．It encourages artists to learn from each other. |
| A．It inspired her to practice her performance skills. |
| B．It helped her see her own weaknesses. |
| C．It caused her to treasure her own life. |
| D．It enabled her to relate to others. |
| A．Caring. | B．Demanding. |
| C．Ambitious. | D．Humorous. |
