West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Plays Beethoven's Ninth
Sunday, February 03, 2013
The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra comes to Carnegie Hall under the direction of its co-founder, Daniel Barenboim, for a program of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 2 and 9. We hope to post the archived broadcast of this concert shortly, pending approval from the musicians.
Established in 1999 and based in Seville, Spain, the ensemble brings together young musicians from Israel, Palestine and various Arab countries in a spirit of international cooperation and understanding. Barenboim co-founded the orchestra with the late Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said. Today it tours internationally, tours globally and has released several recordings.
Audio (below): Daniel Barenboim tells host Jeff Spurgeon about the successes and challenges facing the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, including why it can't perform in many of the countries represented in the orchestra.
Program:
West-Eastern Divan Orchestra
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Diana Damrau, Soprano
Kate Lindsey, Mezzo-Soprano
Piotr Beczala, Tenor
René Pape, Bass
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor
Our live chat, co-hosted by NPR Music, begins at 1:30pm before the 2pm ET broadcast. You may also post your comments to #CHLive on Twitter.
Follow WQXR
About Carnegie Hall Live
WQXR and Carnegie Hall in collaboration with American Public Media (APM) present a series of twelve national broadcasts live from Carnegie Hall. The 2012-13 season featured a range of orchestras, small ensembles and soloists including the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel; the pairing of American opera greats Renée Fleming and Susan Graham; and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, led by Daniel Barenboim.
Comments [12]
My son sang with the Westminster Symphonic Choir! It was so wonderful to be able to hear it!! Bravo!!!!
I was there for it - front row, luckily , though unplanned.
After hearing the 2nd and 9th hundreds of times over 45-50 years I expected nothing new, but the Event was an attraction alone.
Was i shocked, thrilled, amazed, inspired?
Yes.
If you have access to Toscanini's final Beteehoven 2nd from the c. 1950 RCA series-compare them; the first movement here echoes that that in tempo and taughtness.
The orchestra and Barenboim make the 2nd feel as thrilling as a 5th...nearly!
There may not be anything "new under the sun" but that day was a new perspective on an old scene. A Memorable Musical Event.
Wonderful to re-hear "live from Carnegie Hall concerts!" ThNKS SO MUCH.
This is a wonderful orchestra and it shows how people can put aside their political differences and come together as human beings to bring us such great music. Blessings to Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said.
Thanks for broadcasting the performance and commentary. We spoke to our children today about the significance of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and then all enjoyed hearing Maestro Barenboim conduct them as they played this beautiful music.
It was especially moving to hear the lengthy applause and picture conductor and instrumentalists being thanked and saying goodbye (for now).
Thank you again!
Thank you so much for streaming this concert. What a thrill to hear my son, Patrick Dunnevant, sing with the Westminster Symphonic Choir as I sit in my living room here in VA.
Echoes from Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)... =)
Great concert!
My daughter is singing there today and I'm in Illinois so I'm glad to be able to listen on here.
Civilized music? Daniel Barenboim "adores" music by Wagner. He had to listen that music in Auschwitz when Jewish inmates were force to hear Wagner music.
a snapshot of a world that could be but probably will never be.
a modest proposal for humanity to reach for if it cared enough.
that caring is wishfull thinking.
Wanted to be there; glad I can in this way.
Now that's what I call Super Sunday!
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.