Daniel Barenboim leads West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in Paris

Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra—an ensemble composed of Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab musicians—performed a program of Schubert, Schumann, and Wagner at the Philharmonie in Paris. The concert opened with Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, ‘Unfinished,’ characterized by a grave and tragic tone achieved through slow tempi and a large orchestral sound.

The performance continued with Wagner’s ‘Tristan und Isolde’ Prelude, where the orchestra developed a nuanced sonic fullness. Barenboim conducted while seated, utilizing minimal gestures and directing musicians through head movements, including his son, Michael Barenboim, who served as the solo first violin. The program concluded with Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, ‘Rhenish,’ performed with brisk tempi and a sense of lightness.