Daniel Barenboim
The Israeli Daniel Barenboim, born in Buenos Aires on 15 November 1942, trained largely in post-war Europe, coming under the influence of Markevich, Edwin Fischer, Furtwangler and Nadia Boulanger. Since 1962 his pianistic prowess - evident from an early age in Beethoven (the complete sonatas and concertos, the latter under Klemperer) and Mozart (a concerto cycle with the English Chamber Orchestra, directed from the keyboard) - has run in parallel with a charismatic conducting career in the concert hall, opera house and recording studio. Wide-ranging in his sympathies, creatively receptive to modern scholarship, fiercely impassioned in the temperamental thrust and fire of his music-making, he has also appeared as an accompanist and is a distinguished chamber music player. AO
A selection of articles about Daniel Barenboim
Drastically Revised - Giuseppe Pennisi looks at the detail of the replanned 2020 Salzburg Festival
Ensemble. Real Emotions - Two concerts in Salzburg impress Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. The Ambiguity of 'Fidelio' - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of La Scala's opera season
DVD Spotlight. Sweeping Drama - Wagner's Götterdämmerung from La Scala Milan impresses Gerald Fenech. 'The singing is at a constantly high level throughout ...'
Ensemble. Truly Memorable - Power, technology and sex in Rimsky Korsakov's 'The Tsar's Bride', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Political Allegory - Wagner's 'Götterdämmerung' at La Scala Milan, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. Forbidden Questions - A controversial 'Lohengrin' at La Scala, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. A Fervent Spirit - Malcolm Miller muses on the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra's recent Beethoven and Boulez cycle in London
Ensemble. Sheer Beauty - Bruckner 8 from Barenboin and the Staatskapelle Berlin, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. An Immoralist Black Comedy - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on a controversial new production of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' which opened La Scala's 2011-12 season in Milan
DVD Spotlight. A Common Objective - The Ramallah Concert, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a tremendous, emotional, not-to-be-missed experience.'
Ensemble. Towards a Better World - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra are currently on a world tour. Giuseppe Pennisi listens to their concert in Rome
Ideally Matched - Malcolm Troup hears 'the art of the piano reborn' in Syrian pianist Riyad Nicolas
Ensemble. High Expectations - Barenboim's 'Das Rheingold' at La Scala, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Transcendent Resignation - Mahler's Ninth Symphony, heard by David Wilkins. '... played with love and knowledge and commitment ...'
CD Spotlight. Great Poise - Petrenko conducts Shostakovich symphonies, recommended by Paul Sarcich. '... care and thoughtfulness ...'
Ensemble. A False Start - 'Carmen' at La Scala, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Timings - Universal Edition's preparations for the Mahler Centenary years (2010-2011), by Jennifer Paull
CD Spotlight. Chameleon Virtues - Barenboim conducts Gershwin, Bernstein, Ravel and Wagner, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... the oddest assortment of music.'
Undermining the Theme? - Malcolm Miller is disappointed by a Barenboim Beethoven recital in London
Ensemble. Primal Energy - Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic play Bartók, Kodály, Enescu and Ligeti
CD Spotlight. Quite Magical - Staatskapelle Berlin plays Mahler's Ninth, recommended by Patric Standford. 'Barenboim and Mahler are fine partners.'
Record Box. Delightful Clarity - Mahler's Symphony No 7 played by Staatskapelle Berlin, recommended by Patric Standford
DVD Spotlight. Much Resonance - Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Ramallah, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... an orchestra of first-class accomplishment.'
DVD Spotlight. Stunning lighting - Highlighs from Barenboim's 'Ring', concluding a series of reviews by Robert Hugill. 'The balance ... favours Evans more, which is a good thing.'
CD Spotlight. A tremendous conclusion - 'Twilight of the Gods' from Bayreuth, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... well worth waiting for.'
CD Spotlight. Sheer beauty - Barenboim's 'Siegfried', in the continuing set of reviews by Robert Hugill. '... a highly listenable, dramatic experience.'
CD Spotlight. Moments of crisis? - 'Die Walküre' from Bayreuth, the second review in a series by Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Truly believable - Barenboim conducts Wagner's 'Das Rheingold' from Bayreuth, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... a beautiful, well-shaped, flowing performance.'
DVD Spotlight. Inexplicable passion - Astor Piazzolla in portrait, appreciated by David Wilkins. '... defying category but never defying mastery.'
Ensemble. Beacon of hope - Daniel Barenboim conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, reviewed by Malcolm Miller