Edward W Said Lecture: Daniel Barenboim, Southbank Centre

Daniel Barenboim is a maestro like no other. With half a century at the baton behind him, he is one of world’s most experienced conductors. He is also one of its most passionate and emotionally spectacular, rejecting the intellectualised likes of period instruments for more personal interpretations. Even more remarkably, he balances his conducting career with a parallel, equally acclaimed one as a pianist, sometimes even performing both roles at once in the same concert. Currently director of La Scala, the Berlin Staatsoper and Berlin Staatskapelle, his time leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra saw them acclaimed the finest in America. 
As well as a musician, however, Barenboim is also a political figure. A vocal Jewish critic of Israel, Barenboim was a long-time friend of Edward W Said, together with whom he founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra that allows young Israelis and Arabs to play together. Among his many, many awards including the highest honours of several countries, he shared the Prince of Asturias Concord Award with Said. 
Baronboim's lecture will focus on the role of music within political processes, drawing on his experience of working with Said. Given their close collaboration, it is likely to offer insight into the thoughts of not just one but two of the post-war era's greatest figures.