Arabs and Israelis in Perfect Harmony; Musical Pioneers: Daniel Barenboim Conducts the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra

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Byline: Peter Lewis

by Peter Lewis

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED by Daniel Barenboim (Weidenfeld Nicolson, ?16.99)

ANYONE who attended or watched last night's Prom given by Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan orchestra must have reflected that this is the only example of Arab- Israeli unity we ever see.

And what an example! Barenboim and the Palestinian philosopher Edward Said founded the annual music workshop which produced the orchestra in 2000, and ever since it has gone from strength to strength. It is acclaimed nowadays as much for its musical excellence as its success as a social and artistic experiment.

In case anyone hasn't heard, …