The mid-1970s witnessed great changes in the music. The gentle mood of the 1960s was gone. The music became violent and aggressive. This was a protest of the new generation, not peaceful pacifist protest of Woodstock, but protest aimed at the negation and destruction of the existing order. Hard rock, heavy metal and punk became popular among the young. Such groups as "AC/DC", "Kiss", "Black Sabbath", and "Sex Pistols" shocked the public by their music and behaviour. Although music of such kind still has its fans, the peak of its popularity has decreased.
Music that developed in the 1970s and 1980s had its own peculiarities. Melodies were simple and often unoriginal, different group would easily borrow the popular melodies written by competing groups. Young people would not listen alone to their favourite bands; they would rather have a get-together or a party or go to a disco club. The new music styles that appeared in the 1980s were aimed at dancing and disco clubs, thus rhythm and beat became more important than the melody.
Multiculturalism found its expression in the music. In the 1980s young people started to listen to different kinds of music and they were not afraid of choosing what they really loved. No single style or set of styles can be attributed to the 1980s and 1990s. The best world to characterize what was going on in the world of music at that time is diversification.
The epoch found its best expression in techno music. A British band "Depeche Mode" was the first to express the realities of a complex and constantly changing society through highly elaborate music. This was the music of technological advance and breakthrough, the message of the rhythm was the dependence of our civilization on the machines that were able to do everything faster and better than humans do.
The 1990s witnessed further changes in the world of music. Pop music became extremely fashionable among young people. Madonna, Michael Jackson, and "Spice Girls", and "Backstreet Boys" give an example of what teenagers preferred to listen. At the same time a powerful opposition to the pop music appeared. Rave, techno, rap, chaos, and acid styles were gaining momentum in the 1990s. Young people who preferred this kind of music would never attend a pop show because of a general disgust and hatred for pop music.
The music of the 20-th century did a lot to change the outlook of the people, brought some positive social changes. It still plays a great role in the life of the people of the 21st century. Everything either happy or tragic that occurs in our life is set to music.
A Day of the Ballet Dancer’s Life
I wake up at nine o'clock most mornings because I usually go to bed quite late. As I get out of bed, all my bones click, reminding me of the familiar ache that follows exercises. Every day I have to go through a certain amount of pain. A ballet dancer's life may seem glamorous but most of it is very hard work. As you develop as a dancer, you stretch your body to the limit, and that means that you have to suffer a little more, too, mentally as well as physically, because you are constantly trying to improve your technique, discovering new things and struggling to master them.
Luckily, I live quite near the Ballet School so I can walk to work. I have to be there at 10.30, including Saturdays, because we perform almost every evening. A lot of my work is simply routine. The morning class lasts for an hour and a quarter. Then we have a quick break for a quarter of an hour before the rehearsal for the performance later in the day. We generally finish about 1.30 and I go home for lunch and a rest.
Ballet dancers have to look after themselves more than actors. I get my shoes ready when I arrive at the theatre and do my own hair and make-up. Then I change into my costume and do a few exercises. It is a ritual, the same every time, but the funny thing is that I always feel nervous before a performance. I'm no worried about worrying. A little stage fright helps to concentrate.
Of course ballet offers a lot of rewards. When things go well, and people come to the dressing-room after work, with bouquets of flowers; I feel happy, particularly like matinees because children come. It's lovely for them to see you in your make-up. You recognize their excitement in their eyes and at moments like that you forget all the routine and only feel the magic you have tried to convey to them.
After an evening performance, I go out with my friends and have a quiet, late dinner. I don't usually get home before midnight. Then it's not easy to get to sleep. I go over the whole performance in my mind, asking myself: "Was it all right?" And the next day, the same thing begins again.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Television
Television is one of the greatest achievements of the 20-th century. It is the most popular part of mass media. Today every family has a TV-set. TV has changed much since the time of its invention and so has its role. There have been numerous debates concerning advantages and disadvantages of television. When TV first appeared its main purpose was to give official information to people. It was supported by the government. Now television plays a big role in every civilized society. Today television gives people a possibility to be well informed and enjoy "civilized pleasures." The programmes are various and people have a chance to select what they want to see. Television provides great opportunities for education. There are programmes devoted to specialized subjects. With the help of TV it is possible to learn foreign languages, to know a lot of wonderful things concerning the world of flora and fauna. TV teaches the ideals of democracy and political argument. Watching television can be compared with reading books. It provides an outlet for creative talents. By the beginning of the 21st century TV had become a coloured world network. Numerous programmes people can receive by satellite or cable. Now this medium of communication allows people to see and speak with each other if they are separated by thousands of kilometres. TV is a unifying force and that our planet in reality is a small world. Previously innovations were promoted on TV. TV shocked, surprised and stimulated. It brought ballet, opera, and theatre to big masses of people. It was even in the vanguard of new drama. Moreover, TV can keep children quiet. If they are noisy their mothers turn on the set. If people do not like TV they do not buy it or switch it off.
At the same time there are a lot of arguments against TV. It is said that only three generations have grown up with television, but they managed to forget how to spend their free time without television. Its role is increasing not because it is an entertainer or informant, but because of the grip it has on many people. It is called a "living room monster" or "one-eyed monster." It is established that the biggest viewers are pensioners and housewives. The latter watch TV while their husbands are at work. In total they spend five hours daily sitting before the "boxes." Children watch commercials, horror films or films of violence. TV prevents children from creating their abilities. They get accustomed to TV to such an extent that they watch it all the time. To force their children away from their favourite evening programmes to their homework has eventually become the main problem of the parents of different countries.