communities, has faced contro-
versy in Israel for conducting
work by Wagner, whose music
has been unofficially banned
there because of the composer's
anti-Jewish writings and the
use of his writings and music
by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
This past summer,
Barenboim roused much con-
troversy for playing the prelude
to Wagner's Tristan and Isolde
with the Staatskapelle Berlin in
Jerusalem. The unscheduled
encore was performed after a
"One thing I do know is that the Nazis used,
piece by Wagner had been
misused and abused Wagner's ideas or thoughts
removed from the listed pro-
beyond what he might have had in mind,'_' says
gram at the request of the con- Daniel Barenboim.
cert presenter.
While Barenboim condemns the
Sharing similar visions of Israeli-
anti-Semitic writings of Wagner, he
Palestinian cooperation, they collabo-
does not believe the negative political
rated on musical events, including
feelings should erase the impact of the
Barenboirn's first concert on the West
music, which was written in the late
Bank, a piano recital at the Palestinian
1800s.
Birzeit University in 1999, and a
The 20th century would be
workshop for young musicians from
unthinkable without Wagner,"
the Middle East that took place in
Barenboim told the New York Times. "If Germany in the same year.
I imagine that there was no
Barenboim, who conducted the
Mendelssohn, that he had never lived, I
Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the
would lose some very beautiful music,
opening of Berlin's new Jewish muse-
but would the history of music be dif-
urn in September, was closely involved
ferent? No. But Bach, Beethoven,
in the planning of the Chicago
Wagner, Debussy: those four, they
Symphony's interactive learning center,
changed everything. Music was not the
which opened in 1998 as the first
same after them."
facility in the world that gives children
Although Barenboim wants people to a hands-on opportunity to explore all
types of music.
experience the work of Wagner, he
doesn't want to force the compositions
"Daniel Barenboim is extremely hon-
on those who find the associations
est to the composer he's interpreting,"
painful. Before he commenced the
says Zubin Mehta, long-time conductor
Wagner part of the program in Israel,
of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
he asked the audience and felt the
interviewed for a Carnegie Hall publica-
response was strong enough to go for-
tion. "He has a way of looking between
ward. Afterward, the criticism was
the notes. Whenever I hear him or per-
intense.
form with him, his earnestness and
enthusiasm don't ebb."
In Israel, he believes, Wagner's works
should not be part of a subscription
series but should be offered as separate
Daniel Barenboim will perform
programs.
at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at
"It's obvious that Wagner's anti-
Orchestra Hall in Detroit. $26-
Semitic views and writings are mon-
$76/$16 Students. (248) 737-9980. hi
strous," he says in an interview posted
Other programs in the CMSD
on his Web site. "One thing I do know
season, all performed at the
is that the Nazis used, misused and
Seligman Performing Arts Center
abused Wagner's ideas or thoughts
at Detroit Country Day School
beyond what he might have had in
in Beverly Hills, include:
mind."
• Shanghai Quartet — Jan. 19
• Violinist Joshua Bell with Simon
Mulligan
on Piano — Feb. 7
Shared Vision
• Borromeo String Quartet with
In the early 1990s, a chance London
Richard Stoltzman on Clarinet
meeting between Barenboim and
— March 23
Palestinian-born writer and Columbia
• Fleisher-Jolley-Tree Trio —
University professor Edward Said led
April 27
to an intensive friendship that has had
• Miami String Quartet — May 18
both musical and political initiatives.

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