Students Show Their Art

It was long ago, when N.Rubinstein was working at the Moscow

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Conservatoire. Two of the teachers (N.Gubert and K.Albrecht) got an idea to stage some musical play with the students taking part in it. They knew that the students loved N.Rubinstein, whose birthday was coming. And so these teachers decided to show a musical play on Rubinstein's birthday. All the students approved of that idea and rehearsals began. Of course they wanted to rehearse in secret from Rubinstein but it was impossible because he spent all his days and evenings at the conservatoire. And he always wanted to know what the students were doing.

.So our teachers let Rubinstein into the secret (in secret from us). And every time when the rehearsal was to begin Rubinstein pre­tended that he was leaving the house. The play that they were rehearsing ".in secret* was "Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare with the music by Mendelson. At last the 6th of December (the birth­day of Rubinstein) came. The hall looked very festive. Rubinstein was sitting in the first row. While we were playing our parts we looked now and then at him. And we felt happy that Rubinstein looked pleased, he knew it was a present to him from the students.

Prom that time on on the 6th of December the students of the Moscow Conservatoire always stage some musical play or give concerts in memory of N.Rubinstein.

Now students give concerts not only in memory of N.Rubinstein, they give concerts in memory of different famous composers and musicians. And they show their skill not only on such solemn dates, they take part in music competitions in our country and abroad. They show their art not only to Moscovites but to the people living in different parts of the country far from the musical centres. They do it usually in summer on their holiday.

And this is their contribution to musical education of the Russian people.

Active Vocabulary:

to take part in – принимать участие в

to decide - решить in secret - тайком

because - потому что

to pretend - притворяться

“Midsummer Night's Dream" - "Сон в летнюю Ночь"

at last - наконец

now and then - то и дело; время от времени

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from that time on - и с тех пор

in memory of - в память о

skill - мастерство, умение

competition - конкурс; соревнование

musical competition -музыкальный конкурс

education - образование

contribution - вклад

Answer the Questions:

1. What did the teachers and the students decide to stage on Rubinstein's birthday?

2. Why did the teachers and the students want to keep it in secret from Rubinstein?

3. Do the students of the Moscow Conservatoire give concerts now in memory of N.Rubinstein?

4. What other concerts do they give now?

5. Do students of your institute show their skill at solemn cere­monies, at parties? Do they take part in concerts? Do they stage anything? Or do they take part in exhibitions?