Daniel Barenboim
Argentinian-born pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim was born in Buenos Aires on 15 November 1942 into a family of professional pianists, and studied with his mother and then with his father. The Jewish family moved to Israel in 1952, and Barenboim made his international debut as a pianist in 1952 in Vienna and Rome. He studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris in 1955.
During a long career, he has been music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, La Scala Milan, Berlin State Opera and the Staatskapelle Berlin.
He is also known for his outspoken criticism of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, his friendship with the Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said, with whom he created the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, based in Seville and consisting of both Arab and Israeli young musicians, and for becoming the first person to simultaneously hold both Palestinian and Israeli citizenship.
In October 2022 Daniel Barenboim announced that he would be reducing his performing activities during the coming months, particularly conducting engagements, for health reasons, explaining that he had been diagnosed with a 'serious neurological condition'.
A selection of articles about Daniel Barenboim
CD Spotlight. Passionate Lyricism - Gerald Fenech listens to Daniel Barenboim conducting Schumann's symphonies. '... dazzling music-making that sweeps you off your feet.'
Classical music news. Edinburgh is a Story - Various items of news from around the world
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