Barenboim Conducts Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Sibelius [CD & DVD]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
"If conflicts are one day to be solved," says the Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim, "it will only be by contact between the warring parties." The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is living proof that this is a viable goal and that music can provide the ideal environment for its attainment. In 1998, Barenboim and his friend, the late Palestinian writer and scholar Edward Said, founded a workshop for young Israeli and Arab musicians; its aim was to foster the participants' musical development and to bridge national, cultural and political differences through dialogue, communal living and shared music-making. Named after a collection of poems by Goethe, the German writer and statesman, the workshop was inaugurated at his birthplace, Weimar, in 1999, and now meets every summer in Andalusia for several weeks of intensive work, joined by a sizeable number of local musicians. The group has performed in Western Europe, the Americas, Morocco, and most recently in Ramallah.

This debut CD, recorded live, proves that it can bear comparison with veteran orchestras, even in familiar repertory staples. Combining technical polish and security, tonal beauty and transparency with youthful expressiveness, passion and exuberance, the players bring out Tchaikovsky's ardent romanticism, Verdi's dramatic somberness, Sibelius' spooky mystery. Much of the credit must go to Barenboim for melding this motley crew into a musically and interpersonally unified group and for inspiring such a fine, concentrated performance through his leadership, personality and commitment. The recording includes a DVD of the concert, the workshop, and a conversation between Said and Barenboim. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

I. Andante - Allegro Con Anima
II. Andante Cantabile, Con Alcuna Licenza
III. Valse: Allegro Moderato
IV. Finale: Andante Maestoso - Allegro Vivace
Overture, La Forza Del Destino
Valse Triste, Op.44

Amazon.com

"If conflicts are one day to be solved," says the Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim, "it will only be by contact between the warring parties." The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra is living proof that this is a viable goal and that music can provide the ideal environment for its attainment. In 1998, Barenboim and his friend, the late Palestinian writer and scholar Edward Said, founded a workshop for young Israeli and Arab musicians; its aim was to foster the participants' musical development and to bridge national, cultural and political differences through dialogue, communal living and shared music-making. Named after a collection of poems by Goethe, the German writer and statesman, the workshop was inaugurated at his birthplace, Weimar, in 1999, and now meets every summer in Andalusia for several weeks of intensive work, joined by a sizeable number of local musicians. The group has performed in Western Europe, the Americas, Morocco, and most recently in Ramallah.

Customer Reviews:

Barenboim Conducts Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Sibelius .......2006-02-23

Oh my goodness, very emotional. Fantastic music, very good conductor, very good interpretation, but most of all, the story behind this Orchestra is very tooching.

Very impresive execution, good sound, what Barenboin has done putting together this orchestra gives us a very strong positive message towards world peace, working with young talents from the Middle East. Greetings from Costa Rica.

When Music leans over and takes us into its confidence..........2005-09-07

... these words of Robert Fripp come to full fruition in this recording that flexes a sublime and intelligent becoming at one with the music by Barenboim and his courageous disciples. The project is wonderfully filmed with exquisite sound on the DVD as well. And that all goes to drive home the point that when passions are reserved for music instead of politics, beware! Peace will break out.
Kudos as well to Barenboim who recently snubbed an Israeli reporter for trying to interview him while she was in uniform. It certainly took chutzpah and courage to call the fascist canard for what it was. Barenboim is no stranger to refusing to cowtow to an intractable mindset, and on the heels of this release it affirms the philosophical point that peace does not exist in a vacuum, and therefore you can not create beauty amid the trappings of war. There is a lesson here for the Americans as well, but it's not likely to be heard over the din of a country-western Nero fiddling stupidly with the future of the planet.
In any case, if you care about classical music or if you just care about Israelis and Arabs finding a way out of the mess, this is required listening. An essential disc by any standard.

Barenboim, with Arab and Israeli youth-musicians, totally inspiring.......2005-08-30

Aside from exquisite orchestral qualities, viewing the energetic, animated, gifted Arab and Israeli musicians playing as one -- totally engaged, not disengaged -- is nothing short of a thrill. Watching this recording treasure brings both tears and a broad smile, seeing that it's not impossible for very, very possible and doable, now. Wait 'til you see how Barenboim gives and gives to these talented women and men musicians who transcend physical and emotional borders and walls for something beautiful for all humankind -- just what this recording is.

Libby and Len Traubman
San Mateo, CA
LTraubman@igc.org
http://traubman.igc.org/

solo intruments are vivid.......2005-08-25

This is probably the best recording of a symphony for large orchestra that I have heard. I'll leave the critique of the interpretation to others. What I like about this recording is the dynamic contrast and the ability to hear individual solo instruments quite clearly. It sounds as though microphones have been placed in front of each instrument so that each part can be heard distinctly. I don't have a SACD player, just a regular CD player, and the sound is still superb!