Ailing Barenboim, radiant Argerich, decorated by President Macron
NewsHolding hands, the childhood friends from Bueons Aires received the Legion of Honour from Emmanuel Macron.
The president told them: ‘You go from one sentence to the other: from Portuguese to Italian, from French to English. But your true homeland is music.’
He became the fifth French president to give Barenboim the award.
Oh God ,is that really Barenboim? So sad.
I have just watched the live relay from Berlin. Although Barenboim is clearly frail I am pleased to say that he looks a lot better than the picture at the head of this piece. Argerich was superb in the Beethoven.
Argerich was in brilliant form last Monday for Haydn and Shostakovich trios.
Barenboim’s health has declined significantly in recent months – he has vasculitis but concerned there may be something even more sinister. Argerich looks impressive for her age, but even she has suffered a litany of heart-related concerns recently. Let’s enjoy seeing these legendary musicians while we still can.
I echo Alan above. To see one of the most vital and energetic musicians to ever live in such a state is immensely sad and depressing. Yes, he may have polarized opinions throughout his life, but there is no question that Barenboim was a towering figure, whatever you may think of him. God, how I detest aging and the ravages of time.
To see these titans dealing with the trials of mortality and old age might be a bit sad, but I find myself just marveling at how many wonderful years they’ve given us. Nobody could look at either without observing the decades of extraordinary music making they have under their belts. Would that we all could reach ripe old age with so much success.
Sadly, Argerich won’t be coming to the UK in January 2024 now. Let’s hope the revised date of February 2025 works out.
Martha is living proof of “young energy”, that refusal to become “old” in old age. I know so many artists who have lived long lives but have more youthful energy about them – humor, curiosity, healthy irreverence, resilience, even continuing ambition – than so many young people I know. I love these people. They rage against the dying of the light…
There’s a nice family portrait of Barenboims here :
https://euro.eseuro.com/news/1723350.html
They are scheduled to perform 3 concerts together with Berlin Philharmonic next week, Barenboim cancelled his tour with Staatskapelle Berlin North American tour just few weeks ago. God bless him and his health.
https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/concerts/calendar/details/55042/
I understand the dismay of other comments here. Age and illness do none of us any favours, and Barenboim looks gaunt for sure. But step back a little and reflect on the fact that they’ve known one another since age 7 or 8. And here they are at 81 and 82 holding hands and receiving high honour. Extraordinary lives, a wonderful story, and it goes on.
Grief, he looks awful. What a life, though, considering he has never really looked after his health. Don’t suppose he has many regrets, he certainly seems to have lived the life he wanted. How many of us can really say that of ourselves?
Sorry to see Barenboim looking so frail.
I rejoice we can still see them!! As Will Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances”. These are titans of classical music, bigger than life itself. Their incredible feats and acheivements will never die. Let’s celebrate greatness!!
What an amazing career. His Beethoven piano sonatas are superb.
Maestro Barenboim was not awarded a simple Légion d’honneur: I was ‘elevated to the dignity of Grand-croix of the LH’, the HIGHEST existing distinction offered by the French republic… Only 68 living personalities (civil & military) have this distinction in France these current days. The number of living recipients cannot exceed 75 (set by official decree). Thus an extremely rare (and well deserved) honour…