Barenboim: This illness has not changed me

Barenboim: This illness has not changed me

News

norman lebrecht

February 16, 2023

From a Milan interview with Colleen Barry of the Associated Press, after conducting three Mozart symphonies at La Scala in the first of three concerts:

‘I know I am expected to say this illness changed my life. No. Things that were very important to me as a musician before are still as important. Things that were not important are still not important. I can’t say I feel perfectly, but I feel well enough to conduct tomorrow, and I hope Thursday and Saturday. And next we will see…

‘You know, I never felt my age. I never took into consideration that I was not 20, or 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 anymore. I have been hit, but I feel well, and I can make music. I am very happy making music.’

His Saturday concert will be broadcast on La Scala’s new streaming service.

 

rehearsal photo: Paolo Besana

Comments

  • Mr. Ron says:

    Old age catches up with everyone.

    • MMcGrath says:

      Amazing, the hero worship on this site! Some can’t agree with something that is inevitably true – even for them 🙂 Is getting old something to disdain?

  • Maria Wimmer says:

    Very good to hear. Always a man with courage!

  • sonicsinfonia says:

    Would be nice if he was visible in the photo alongside the news

  • Unvaccinated says:

    Just make sure, if you take part in a clinical trial, you charge what you think you’re worth. Don’t smile, roll your sleeves up and do it for free!

  • Greg Bottini says:

    Good luck and best wishes to you, Maestro Barenboim.

    • Tristan says:

      may this great musician and humanist recover smoothly but please do not ask him to conduct Mozart as it bores us all – his Giovannis in Salzburg and Milano were just miscasts not to remember

  • Claudio says:

    Why stepping down from Staatsoper then? Something is wrong here.

    Or all these concerts are more of a farewell tour?

    • Novagerio says:

      Claudio, because there’s a huge physical and mental difference between leading an Opera House and conducting (say) the Ring and three Mozart symphonies.

  • Nicholas says:

    Despite the vicissitudes of his life, Mr. Barenboim admirably demonstrates the will to live the ‘good life’ as meaningfully defined by Aristotle. An exemplar devoutly to be wished.

  • Jan Kaznowski says:

    ==‘I know I am expected to say this illness changed my life. No.

    Brilliant – he’s so forthright about things !

  • Gianni says:

    So great to see him back.

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