In 1999, conductor Daniel Barenboim and literary theorist Edward Said joined forces to create the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, an ensemble of young Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab musicians united in common cause, to show that there are no boundaries between people when they play music together. The symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven hold a special significance for them, because many of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra's concerts have featured them as symbols of international harmony, and their recordings have been brought together in this box set under the title Beethoven for All, a clear statement of their egalitarian aims. [Note: this set should not be confused with Barenboim's earlier disc, called Beethoven for All, which was a collection of excerpts from the symphonies, piano concertos, and piano sonatas.] Barenboim's interpretations of the symphonies should be considered mainstream, since his tempos, phrasing, dynamics, and expressions are quite conventional, and he employs modern instrumentation and a large-scale orchestra. Nothing here remotely resembles period practices or sonorities: this is Beethoven as he was played by major orchestras for most of the 20th century. Barenboim's refusal to update his performances to make them conform to early 19th century style is almost as controversial as his idealistic politics, but his insistence on following his own lights in music and international relations have made him one of the most significant figures of our time. While this Beethoven set will appeal to traditionalists, most listeners will applaud Barenboim's efforts in bringing Beethoven to a wider audience and using the music to foster peace and understanding. Decca's recordings are clear and full-sounding, though there's little resonance or sense of spatial dimensions.
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