A LIFE IN MUSIC reviews five decades of the rich and uniquely varied musical life of Daniel Barenboim. A child prodigy as a pianist and a virtuoso conductor of symphonies and opera, he has known and worked with many of the most distinguished and exciting musicians of the 20th century, including Rubinstein, Klemperer, Furtwangler, Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez, Fischer-Dieskau, Pablo Casals and not least his own wife Jacqueline du Pre, among many others. He still insists on undertaking grand projects that only a madman or genius would contemplate', The Times noted in August 2001, and recent years have included his work at the annual Wagner Festival in Bayreuth; his involvement with the rebirth of the State Opera House in Berlin; taking over from George Solti's 22-year reign in Chicago; his summer festivals at Weimar in Germany where young Arab and Israelis can play music together; and his worldwide travels. He gives us his trenchant thoughts on Israel today, the problems facing young musicians and the changing world of music at the beginning of the 21st century.
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Serial ran in THE GUARDIAN on 6 September, and we have set a press date of 21 September. Daniel Barenboim will be in London on Tuesday 26 November and wewill be arranging one interview with him and he will also be signing some copies for Hatchards. Our first review in THE DAILY TELEGRAPH by the critic andenthusiast Rupert Christiansen is excellent: "This is a highly stimulating book... a repository of wisdom, as rich in insight into great individuals whomBarenboim has encountered as it is in more general reflections on his art...his unshakeable integrity is hugely impressive, and there can be few books by performing artists that are so illuminating." Reviews and coverage in the mu
About the Author
Daniel Barenboim was born in Buenos Aires in 1942 and made his piano debut there at the age of seven. His family moved to Israel in 1952. From the age of 14 he was malking appearances in London and across Europe and then all over the world. In 1967 he married the cellist Jacqueline du Pre (who died in 1987). In 1988 he married Elena Bashkirova. He was music director of the Paris Orchestra 1975-88, and he has been Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1991 and of the Berlin State Opera since 1992. Between international travels he divides his time between Berlin and Chicago.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Zenkoji
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is a sad reflection on our culture to see how low in the Amazon ranks this book stands. Daniel Barenboim is one of the truly great figures of the second half of the twentieth century, in all walks of life. Although Barenboim has lived his life through music, he has always sought to bring cultures together, and to heal, whether by playing Wagner in Jerusalem (never afraid to take risks and to confront critics), or with his new Divan orchestra, which brings together brilliant young musicians from throughout the Middle East.
This is an updated version of the autobiography. Barenboim is a private man, and you will not find any worthless tittle-tattle here. There is a moving tribute to Jacqueline Du Pre, certainly. But it is time to say that Barenboim's achievements are of an entirely different, and utterly astonishing, order. Complete Bruckner cycles, Beethoven symphonies and sonatas, two sets of Mozart piano concertos, all of the Wagner operas, unmatchedly sensitive playing of Bach on the modern piano. And this book gives you a depth of insight into how carefully thought out Barenboim's approach is.
Your understanding of music will be quietly but immeasurably enriched by reading this book. And I hope that you will also feel, as I do, moved and inspired by the great seriousness of this man, and his humility in the face of the music which he interprets so gloriously for the rest of us.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable insights into music making by the master pianist and conductor
3 Mar 2008
By Juan Lleras
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Daniel Barenboim has been in the front row of the best musicians of the last quarter of the XX century and the beginning of the XXI. This book not only reflect his 'memoires' as a child prodigy, but his parallel upbringing as a pianist and conductor.
But the most interesting parts in this book are the analysis of music by Barenboim. His personal view of the meaning of music and music making make this a delightful document for anyone interested in classical music. This includes his views on harmony, tempo, orchestra balance, expression and many other topics.
Another aspect that I found captivating in this book were the anecdotes and stories of another musicians. The view of Barenboim about other conductors and his reflections on the sound and characteristics of different orchestras is invaluable to any music lover.
And in this document we have also the view of this conductor in the process of setting up operas in different houses, and with different stage directors and singers, which are a bonus to opera lovers, like me.
Finally we have in this book some of Barenboim's concerns about the future of Arab - Israeli relationships and his personal quest to bring some mutual understanding to these peoples. This efforts, which gave life to de West East Divan Orchestra, and earned Barenboim and his friend, the late American - Palestinian author Edward Said, the Prince of Asturias Award for Peace Efforts (Concordia) in 2002.
But the most interesting parts in this book are the analysis of music by Barenboim. His personal view of the meaning of music and music making make this a delightful document for anyone interested in classical music. This includes his views on harmony, tempo, orchestra balance, expression and many other topics.
Another aspect that I found captivating in this book were the anecdotes and stories of another musicians. The view of Barenboim about other conductors and his reflections on the sound and characteristics of different orchestras is invaluable to any music lover.
And in this document we have also the view of this conductor in the process of setting up operas in different houses, and with different stage directors and singers, which are a bonus to opera lovers, like me.
Finally we have in this book some of Barenboim's concerns about the future of Arab - Israeli relationships and his personal quest to bring some mutual understanding to these peoples. This efforts, which gave life to de West East Divan Orchestra, and earned Barenboim and his friend, the late American - Palestinian author Edward Said, the Prince of Asturias Award for Peace Efforts (Concordia) in 2002.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great memoirs by a wonderful artist and a true humanist
5 Mar 2006
By MG
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Daniel Barenboim's public position on the israeli-palestinian conflict made him the victim of repeated attacks from the israeli right wing, best exemplified by the previous reviewer. Barenboim's memoirs reflect both the sensitivity of a great artist and the honest political commitment of a true humanist. The accusations against a moderate like Barenboim are a sad reflection of these troubled times.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant and brave musician and thinker
13 Aug 2006
By tintintoo
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Barenboim embodies a rare combination of qualities: an absolutely first-rate musical talent, a thinking mind, and courage in following his conscience. He deeply understands and has an instinctive feel for music but is also aware that music does not exist in a vacuum--it is part of human society and history. I know of no other classical musician who combines the rare qualities Barenboim possesses. I greatly admire his courage in taking unpopular stands. Like his friend Edward Said he is an artist and a lover of music who is not afraid to speak out against injustice.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
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