Ru
EnI. Kalatay
Creative activities of Daniel Barenboim in the 21st century: repertoire accents
This article elucidates the most important directions of D. Barenboim’s the multifaceted creative activities in the 2000–2020s. The priority role of an individual approach to the repertoire is noted as essentual prerequisite for the successful realization of musical projects implemented by an outstanding artist during the indicated period. The importance of L. Beethoven’s legacy (piano, symphonic, chamber ensemble) is especially emphasized – a kind of “dominant” of D. Barenboim’s entire professional activity. In particular, one of the bright events of the “Beethovenian” 2020 was the release of the new audio album, including recordings of 32 Piano Sonatas by the great composer (“Deutsche Grammophon”). A notable feature of this recording was the use of a “straight-string grand piano” (“Barenboim-Maene”), designed and manufactured by D. Barenboim in collaboration with the Belgian piano master C. Maene.
Another important direction of D. Barenboim’s creative activities in the first quarter of the 21st century is due to enlighten aspirations associated with the popularization of “New Music”. A visible continuity is stated between the current projects carried out by D. Barenboim and the long-term enlighten activities of his old friend P. Boulez as a symphony conductor and music producer. A clear confirmation of this is the artistic concept of the music festival “Distance/Proximity” (2020), developed and successfully implemented by D. Barenboim in the context of the recent pandemic. The general motto of the festival (“From Boulez to the present day”) and the approved composition of participants (followers and like-minded persons of this French composer), the program of online concerts carried out allow us to consider “Distance/Proximity” as a very remarkable example of a contemporary memorial art project. The article outlines the prospects for further development of this enlighten tendency with involvement of the teaching staff of the “Barenboim-Said” Music Academy (Berlin), organized with the participation of D. Barenboim.
Key words
Daniel Barenboim, performer’s repertoire, L. Beethoven’s creative heritage, grand piano “Barenboim-Maene”, festival “Distance/Proximity”, “Barenboim-Said” Music Academy.
For citation
Kalatay I. Creative activities of Daniel Barenboim in the 21st century: repertoire accents. In: South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2024. No. 2. Pp. 133–139.
