Talk about your favorite musician.

You should say:

a)    Who your favorite musician is

b)    What type of music he/she plays/played

c)    How popular he/she is/was

and explain why he/she is your favorite.

SAMPLE ANSWER 1

One of my favorite musicians is Ludwig Van Beethoven, a German pianist and composer.  Beethoven’s personal life was marked by a struggle against ill health and deafness. Interestingly, some of his most important works were composed when he was barely able to hear. 

Beethoven was considered a distinguished feature in the history of Western music and universally recognized to be the greatest composer in the world. He composed in all the main genres of classical music, including symphonies, concertos, and piano sonatas. Among his most famous musical excerpts in history are the the Fifth Symphony, Ninth Symphony - the 'Choral', and the Piano Sonata No. 14.

What I very much like about Beethoven is that his music speaks very loud. By “loud” I mean that the raw human spirit seemed to be captured in his pieces, which inspires everyone. Whenever I listen to Beethoven’s music, for example his Für Elise,  I feel happy beyond words, as if something has filled the empty gap in my life and cheered me up.

In brief, I would say without hesitation that Beethoven is my favorite musician. I enjoy listening to his music everyday and everywhere.

USEFUL PHRASES & EXPRESSIONS

1.       Composer /kəmˈpoʊ.zɚ/ (n) – (B2): a person who writes music

2.       To compose /kəmˈpoʊz/ (v): to produce music

3.       Struggle  /ˈstrʌɡ.əl/ (n) – (B2): a physical or mental fight

4.       Barely  /ˈber.li/ (adv) – (B2): hardly

5.       Distinguished /dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃt/ (adj) – (B2):  used to describe a respected and admired person, or their work.

6.       Universally /ˌjuː.nəˈvɝː.səl.i/ (adv) – (C1):  in a way that exists everywhere, or involves everyone

7.       Genre /ˈʒɑːn.rə/ (n):  a particular subject or style of literature, art, or music

8.       Symphony /ˈsɪm.fə.ni/ (n): a long piece of music for an orchestra, usually with four movements (= parts)

9.       Concerto /kənˈtʃɜː.təʊ/ (n): a long piece of music for one or more main solo instruments and an orchestra

10.   Sonata /səˈnɑː.tə/ (n): a piece of music in three or four parts, either for a piano or for another instrument, such as a violin, sometimes also with a piano

11.   Excerpt /ˈek.sɝːpt/ (n): a short part taken from a speech, book, film, etc.

12.   What I very much like about …. is that …(S + V)

13.   To capture /ˈkæp.tʃɚ/ (v) – (B2):  to catch/to record/to represent

14.   To inspire /ɪnˈspaɪr/ (~ someone to do something):  to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it

15.   Beyond /biˈjɑːnd/ (adv) - ~ something:  in a way that is more than or not limited to something

16.   To cheer (somebody) up:  If someone cheers up, or something cheers someone up, they start to feel happier

17.   Without hesitation /ˌhez.əˈteɪ.ʃən/ - (C1):  If you say that someone does something without hesitation, you are emphasizing that they do it immediately and willingly