For more than 25 years, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has been a symbol of understanding and reconciliation. A festival named after the ensemble, comprised primarily of Jewish and Arab musicians, launched its inaugural edition Wednesday evening in Berlin. World-renowned conductor Daniel Barenboim, who founded the orchestra in 1999 together with the American-Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, led the opening concert at the Philharmonie.

Opening concert of the West-Eastern Divan Festival

Barenboim, who publicly announced his Parkinson's diagnosis in early 2025, conducted while seated and with minimal gestures, which the musicians followed with both intense concentration and passionate energy. The program featured well-known works from the classical and romantic repertoire: Beethoven's "Leonore" Overture, the Prelude and Liebestod from Wagner's opera "Tristan und Isolde," and Schubert's "Great" Symphony. The orchestra and conductor were greeted with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation.

The new festival is being held in cooperation with several institutions that carry on the ideas of the two founders. The Daniel Barenboim Foundation in Berlin, established in 2008, is the umbrella organization for the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and the Barenboim-Said Academy, which trains young musicians and humanities scholars from the Middle East. The Pierre Boulez Saal and the Barenboim-Said Center for Music in Ramallah are also affiliated with the foundation.

The concerts, featuring chamber music and symphonic works, including contemporary compositions, will take place at various venues in Berlin until November 18. The independent Fundación Barenboim-Said in Seville is also participating.

The Barenboim-Said Academy Orchestra will perform under its Kuwaiti conductor, Nabil Shehata. Also appearing are artists such as the Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma with his ensemble, flautist Emmanuel Pahud with students from the West Bank, and pianist Lang Lang. Furthermore, a new documentary film about Edward Said, based on previously unreleased archival footage, will be presented.

© MH - All rights reserved.