VOA标准英语2008年-Swedish Composer Wins Official Olympic Overture

To set the mood for the pageantry of the Olympic Games in Beijing, a competition was held to select an official musical overture¹. More than 100 entries were received and The Chinese Ministry² of Culture and Sport selected a composition by Swedish composer Robert Wells. VOA Sports Editor Parke Brewer³ is in Beijing and has the story.
　
Robert Wells holds his official certificate as winner of the composer of the Olympic Overture

Robert Wells and his "Rhapsody in Rock" orchestra perform classical, jazz and rock music around the world. The Beijing Olympics is not the first sporting event where his music will be prominently featured. His works have been heard at the world figure skating and world ice hockey championships, as well as at gymnastics and equestrian⁴ competitions.

Wells said he learned of the Olympics musical contest in 2006 and decided⁵ to enter. In March, the entries were cut to 30, in June only two remained, and Wells found out only in July that he was the winner.

"Finally getting here, it's a thrill and adventure. It's been a long journey and many, many sessions in the studio," he said.

Robert Wells told VOA Sports why he thinks he won.

"I think because I respect China's folk music," he said. "I still have the rock beat on that I love, kind of a rock touch. It's positive. I think it wakes up people if they're sitting in the stadium and starting new things, even the television viewers. I hope it affect them, like they're going to be happy, and it's really sports time.

The Olympic Overture begins with five tones to symbolize⁶ the Olympic rings.

Wells said the opening of the overture came to him very quickly; he just heard the sound in his head. He said it took two to three months to complete the full composition. He added, it was not difficult to incorporate Chinese elements, as he has been to China 22 times in the last eight years. Wells even does some teaching in China at a university on the east coast at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou.

As the official TV theme music for the Summer Olympics, Wells says he was told his composition will be played more than 1,300 times during the Games. And he will perform live with a large orchestra during the second week of the Olympics on a special stage set up beside the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest.

"Of course it's a big thing to write music for the Olympics, but it's with a Chinese tradition, so I'm like a musical servant, you know," Wells said.

 

1 overture   

n.前奏曲、序曲，提议，提案，初步交涉

参考例句：

• The opera was preceded by a short overture.这部歌剧开始前有一段简短的序曲。
• His overture led to nothing.他的提议没有得到什么结果。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 brewer   

n. 啤酒制造者

参考例句：

• Brewer is a very interesting man. 布鲁尔是一个很有趣的人。
• I decided to quit my job to become a brewer. 我决定辞职，做一名酿酒人。

4 equestrian   

adj.骑马的；n.马术

参考例句：

• They all showed extraordinary equestrian skills.他们的骑术都很高超。
• I want to book two equestrian tickets.我想订两张马术比赛的票。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 symbolize   

vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表

参考例句：

• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
• Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。