A Life in Music [Hardcover]

Daniel Barenboim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2003

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, not least his own wife Jacqueline du Pr?. For this new edition, the book has been revised throughout and new chapters added. Recent years have included his work in Bayreuth, where he has been the most important artistic influence on the annual Wagner Festival; his involvement with the rebirth of the Berlin State Opera House in the reunited city of Berlin, and as conductor of two great orchestras in Berlin and Chicago; his thoughts on the state of Israel and his work with young Israeli and Arab musicians in modern Germany; his worldwide travels, his discovery of young talent and his insights into the changing world of music.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Daniel Barenboim was born in Buenos Aires in 1942, educated in Rome and madehis piano debut at the age of eight and as a solo pianist at the age of eleven with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. His musical tours have taken him all over the world and he has made regular appearances at the Bayreuth, Edinburgh, Lucerne, Prague and Salzburg festivals. In 1967 he married the cellist Jacqueline du Pre (who died in 1987). In 1988 he married Elena Bashkirova. He was musical 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 Op --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing; 1st Arcade ed edition (April 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559706740
• ISBN-13: 978-1559706742
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,068,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable insights into music making by the master pianist and conductor, March 3, 2008

By 

Juan Lleras "Juan Manuel LLeras" (Bogotá, Colombia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Life in Music (Hardcover)

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.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great memoirs by a wonderful artist and a true humanist, March 4, 2006

By 

MG (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Life in Music (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.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant and brave musician and thinker, August 13, 2006

By 

tintintoo (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: A Life in Music (Hardcover)

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.