Reading and listening

 

 
  Daniel Barenboim's Everything Is Connected: The Power Of Music is published today and tonight he is performing at The Proms, conducting his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in this programme. Much of his book is about music as a model for co-operation between peoples, and how and why - along with Edward Said - he came to found an extraordinary orchestra of young Arab and Israeli musicians which is an inspiration for long-term optimism about peace in the Middle East.
     He talks about how even the most passionate phrase in music requires an underlying sense of order and discipline, and how an orchestra depends on that and a clear hierarchy. "The hierarchy that exists in all music respects the individuality of each voice, which may not have the same rights but certainly has the same responsibility as all the other voices...how difficult it is in the world to create equality within hierarchy". But then he goes on to stress the importance of dialogue, listening and understanding: he quotes Goethe - "To merely tolerate is to insult; true liberalism means acceptance", and how with that in mind music requires a perfect balance between intellect, emotion and temperament, and can show society how those things along with the fundamental interconnection between transparency, power and force foster sympathy and harmony.
    It is a lively book, eloquent, considered and Barenboim speaks equally from head and heart. It does not require in the reader a close knowledge of either music or politics but rather, as he himself says, "a curious mind that wishes to discover the parallels between music and life and the wisdom that becomes audible to the thinking ear".
    I've enjoyed it greatly and my only complaint is that it is too short - I wanted more! Encore, maestro, please.

Comments

[Becca]

The concept of music as a means of cooperation between peoples is very interesting ... I understand how it may indeed be very helpful. It sounds like a fascinating and informative book.

[Barbara MacLeod]

The world needs these people.

[Karen/NYC]

It seems that this book isn't published yet in the U.S. -- but I've added it to my AmazonUK shopping basket!

[Peter the flautist]

Science is also a fantastic example of international cooperation amongst peoples since it is blind to faith, colour, gender, physique and even good health.

Dark Puss