VOA慢速英语 2008 0301

IN THE NEWS - American Orchestra¹ Performs in North Korea

More than 100 musicians traveled to Pyongyang for historic² first performance by an American symphony³ orchestra. Transcript⁴ of radio broadcast:

29 February 2008

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

The New York Philharmonic orchestra performed in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, this week. It was the first performance by an American symphony orchestra in the communist state. More than one hundred performers made the trip to Pyongyang, led by the Philharmonic's musical director, Lorin Maazel. The historic event was broadcast live on television and radio in North Korea. It can also be seen on the Internet.

More than one thousand North Koreans attended the concert Tuesday night. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il did not attend. However, other top North Korean officials did.

The New York City orchestra performed the North Korean national song and America's national anthem⁵, "The Star-Spangled Banner⁶." The musicians played famous music, including Antonin Dvorak’s "New World Symphony" and George Gershwin’s "An American in Paris." The performance ended with a version⁷ of "Arirang," a Korean folk song that is considered an unofficial national anthem in both North and South Korea.

(MUSIC)

North Korea’s government usually bans music that is not approved by officials. As a result, jazz, rock and most Western classical music are not permitted.

The North Korean government has always described the United States as a hostile⁸ aggressor. But the American orchestra’s visit was widely described as a form of musical diplomacy⁹. Some Americans hoped the friendly cultural exchange will help improve relations between the United States and North Korea.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry¹⁰ praised the event as a chance to improve understanding and trust between North Korea and the United States. South Korean experts say much has changed in North Korea since leaders from the North and South met in two thousand. They say expanded contacts have increased the flow of information about the rest of the world into North Korea. Many experts say the country is not as disconnected as it once was. They say events like the Philharmonic performance make important gains in opening North Korea even further.

However, the White House spokeswoman said the performance neither hurt nor helped American diplomatic¹¹ efforts. She said relations between the two countries will only improve when North Korea provides information about its nuclear programs. It was supposed to provide such information about two months ago to the United States, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia. Those countries have promised aid and improved diplomatic relations if North Korea ends all of its nuclear programs.

And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English, written by Brianna Blake. I’m Steve Ember.

(MUSIC: "An American in Paris")

1 orchestra   

n.管弦乐队；vt.命令，定购

参考例句：

• He plays the violin in an orchestra.他在管弦乐队中演奏小提琴。
• I was tempted to stay and hear this superb orchestra rehearse.我真想留下来听这支高超的管弦乐队排练。

2 historic   

adj.历史上著名的，具有历史意义的

参考例句：

• This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
• We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。

3 symphony   

n.交响乐（曲），（色彩等的）和谐

参考例句：

• The Ninth Symphony of Beethoven is a famous one.贝多芬的第九交响乐非常有名。
• They play over the whole symphony.他们把整个交响乐重新演奏了一遍。

4 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

5 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

6 banner   

n.旗，旗帜，横幅

参考例句：

• The new government came to power under the banner of fighting poverty.新政府是在对贫穷开战的名义下上台的。
• A white banner was hanging out of the window.一面白旗挂在窗子外面。

7 version   

n.版本；型号；叙述，说法

参考例句：

• His version of the events is pure supposition.他对这件事的说法纯属猜测。
• What is your version of this matter?你对这件事情的看法 怎么样？

8 hostile   

adj.不友好的，敌对的；敌方的，敌人的

参考例句：

• The local people are hostile to outsiders.当地人敌视外地人。
• Their hostile looks showed that he was unwelcome.他们怀敌意的表情说明他不受欢迎。

9 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

10 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。

11 diplomatic   

adj.外交的，从事外交的，策略的，有手腕的

参考例句：

• There are certain forms that must be followed in diplomatic circles.在外交界有一些礼节是必须遵守的。
• You must be more diplomatic in handling the situation.你在处理这一情况时，必须圆滑。