Daniel Barenboim, concert pianist and Music Director of the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra, and Edward W Said, essayist and literary
critic, have nurtured an 'unlikely' friendship since a chance
meeting in a hotel lobby in the early 1990s. Unlikely, in that they
are, respectively, Israeli and Palestinian and hence expected in
the eyes of their own troubled geography to meet on terms of mutual
suspicion: it is, then, a pleasant surprise to find not only that
this is patently not true (they are, after all, friends), but that
the suggestion that it might be so is given cursory treatment in
the pages of this book. The two are not suggesting that their brand
of tripartite intellectualism (they range, broadly, over three
subjects: music, literature and the ways in which the creation and
performance of these arts can apply to an understanding of society)
is some kind of mystic solution to the world's ills; they are
simply demonstrating that humanity and intellect can meet for the
sake of a passionate indulgence in art and thought. The performance
of this mental consortium blurs the demarcation of race and
politics; what remains is pure ideology, lyrically espoused by two
confident, eloquent and successful men. An understanding of the
situation in the Middle East is unnecessary; what is required to
really enjoy this book is an enthusiasm for music. This is
basically an extended meditation on the ways in which music and
musicians contain some kinds of essential paradoxes that illuminate
the spheres of art and life in general; a convincing dialogue, ably
edited by Ara Guzelimian, and placed firmly (and entertainingly) in
the landscape and texture of sound and performance. (Kirkus UK)
______________ 'A beautifully poised series of dialogues about
literature, music and politics, and they're a testimony to the
enormous gifts and courage of both men' - Tom Paulin, Guardian 'A
marvellous eavesdrop on the discourse of exchange between two great
intellects' - Nadine Gordimer, TLS 'An extraordinary meeting of
minds in troubled times' - Financial Times 'A fascinating exchange
of ideas on music, politics and literature' - Classic FM Magazine
______________ Israeli Daniel Barenboim, one of the finest
musicians of our times, and Palestinian Edward Said, eminent
literary critic and leading expert on the Middle East, were close
friends for years. Parallels and Paradoxes is a series of
discussions between the two friends about music, politics,
literature and society. Barenboim and Said talk about, among other
subjects, the differences between writing prose and music; the
compromising politician versus the uncompromising artist; Beethoven
as the ultimate sonata composer, Wagner (Barenboim is considered by
many to be the greatest living conductor of his work); great
teachers; and the power of culture to transcend national
differences. Illuminating and deeply moving, Parallels and
Paradoxes is an affectionate and impassioned exchange of ideas.
General
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