Daniel Barenboim – A Vision for Peace…
Daniel Barenboim…
Pianist…
Conductor…
Musician… communicator…
Barenboim’s exceptional, meticulous technique… from an early age… prompted the great conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler to describe him as a… “phenomenon…”.
Ève Ruggieri… the classical music expert, radio, television presenter and producer… was wishing Barenboim a “Bonne Anniversaire“… on her daily “Ève Ruggieri Raconte” programme on Radio Classique, on the occasion of his birthday…
Having previously watched intently… a programme on the BBC World satellite channel… interviewing this prolific man of music… I was profoundly impressed by his aspirations of… building bridges between nations… instead of walls…
Tears were involuntarily streaming down my face… tears of hope and unshakeable belief… in the inherent goodness of humanity.
I too felt compelled to express… my best wishes… on Barenboim‘s esteemed birthday… HEAPED… with a huge dollop of respect and admiration…
Not only for his greatness as a musician… but even more so for his… phenomenal courage and vision for peace.
“Malgré tout“…
Daniel Barenboim…
Inspires hope…
Hope for the future and destiny of humanity…
A humanity… which is becoming increasingly hate and warmongering orientated… (in people of differing race, colour, and religion)… among the inhabitants of this weary planet… incurring fanaticism, polarisation, and division among brothers…
Daniel Barenboim was born during the second world war in Buenos Aires, Argentina. his parents were of Russian Jewish descent.
At age five, he started piano lessons with his mother, but continued studying with his father, who remained his only other piano teacher.
Aged seven… he gave his first formal concert… in Buenos Aires.
An Israeli by nationality… having moved to Israel with his family in 1952… he curiously… worked closely throughout his career, with mutual affection and respect, with three German orchestras…
. The Berlin Philharmonic
. The Staatskapelle Berlin
. The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
In June 1957, Barenboim married the British cellist Jacqueline du Pré… (who converted to Judaism)… in Jerusalem. Their marriage lasted until du Pré’s death in 1987.
In the early 1990’s, Barenboim developed… an intensive friendship… with the intellectual Palestinian activist, writer, and Columbia University professor… Edward Said…
Which had both… “political and musical repercussions“…
These two extraordinary men… who could have been enemies… IN FACT… discovered that they shared similar visions… namely Israeli Palestinian cooperation and collaboration on musical events, which could lead to… peaceful coexistence… in the sacred land of the three religions…
In 1999… the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra was founded by the two brilliant men…
Its initiative and common intention was to promote… “mutual reflection and understanding“… between nations…
The Workshop involved talented young musicians from… Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, and Israel…
Their objective… to make music… with the guidance of the world’s best musicians… on neutral ground…
To date, they have performed in Europe, North and South America, including a historic concert in Ramallah, Palestine… the orchestra’s first concert in an Arab country.
Since 2002, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has been based in Seville, Spain. In 2007, it was invited to be in residence at the Salzburg Festival.
Edward Said passed away in 2003…
But his legacy lives on… with Daniel Barenboim… through their shared vision of the West-Eastern Divan Workshop and Orchestra, as well as the…
Barenboim-Said Foundation…
Which “promotes music and cooperation through projects… targeted at young Arabs and Israelis“…
Also, as joint authors of the book… “Parallels and Paradoxes: Explorations in Music and Society“… a series of conversations between Said and Barenboim.
IF ONLY…
The beautiful Edward Said lived longer… he and Barenboim could have forged forward towards greater unity between these two… umbilicaly bonded Semetic peoples.
HOWEVER…
Palestinians and Israelis…
WE HOPE…
Should urgently follow in the footsteps of these… two enlightened men… who formed an amazing and inspirational friendship.
Delegations on both sides should, like…
Said and Barenboim…
Stand…
Shoulder to shoulder…
Sharing dialogues…
In order to… mend and heal the terrifyingly ugly hatreds that have been… festering… between the two peoples of this most sacred biblical land… which both sides have been compelled to endure.
Listening to Barenboim…
One felt heartened and hopeful that the… bridging of a cultural dialogue… COULD DEVELOP… between these two… ancient enemies… who could take the… “high road“… the moral high ground… that those two inspirational men walked on… the same path that will lead to… reconciliation and peace.
I fervently hope and believe that what… Barenboim and Edward Said started… will… like a pebble in a pond… create and spread… the harmony we all dream and aspire for.
Daniel Barenboim…
Today… the 15th of November…
Your birth date...
We wish you…
“Une très bonne anniv
ersaire“…
And wishing on a star… that…
YOUR… and Edward Said‘s…
Dreams and vision…
Come true…
Peace… goodwill…
Solidarity…
For all…
a.