Nothing about , 81, has ever been routine. He made his London debut – as pianist, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – when he was just 13 years old, . Ten years later he made his conducting debut at Abbey Road studios, with the English Chamber Orchestra.
His career was prodigious long before he added global humanitarian – for which he has been awarded countless honours – to his CV. Born in Argentina, based in Berlin, in 2008 he became the first person to hold . He is a citizen of the world, with a special affection for the UK.
This is not said out of nationalist fervour. A one-time resident, frequent visitor and former , he has stated it himself. That he was married, long ago, (who died in 1987) is only part of the story.
This background gives context to the exceptional atmosphere of admiration and poignancy at last Sunday’s Prom. There had been every possibility that Barenboim, unwell since 2022, might not manage to travel. Those who know him never doubted that willpower, if not good health, would get him here.
They might needlessly have added, especially in current circumstances. He was here to conduct the the ensemble he founded 25 years ago with the Palestinian-American philosopher Edward Said. Musicians from Israel, Palestine and other Arab countries meet each summer for rehearsals, workshops, discussions and an international tour.
Of its many offshoots, the , is the most prominent. The orchestra’s title comes from Goethe’s collection of lyric poems exp.