Led by concertmaster Michael Barenboim, the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble is the chamber formation of the namesake orchestra founded in 1999. The origins of the orchestra lie in the friendship between its founders, Palestinian author and scholar Edward Said and Israeli conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim. In their conversations, they realized the urgent need for an alternative way to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This evolved into the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra that global audiences know today. Sharing the parent orchestra’s motto of “Equal in Music,” the ensemble brings together outstanding young Palestinian and Israeli musicians in a collaboration that supersedes national and cultural boundaries.
The evening’s program includes Terzetto in C Major,op. 74, by Antonín Dvořák; Sonata (Duo) for Violin and Cello, M. 73, by Maurice Ravel; Trauermusik (Mourning Music) for Viola and Strings, by Paul Hindemith; and George Enescu’s String Octet, op. 7.
Musicians:
Michael Barenboim, violin
Mohamed Hiber, violin
David Strongin, violin
Samir Obaido, violin
Miriam Manasherov, viola
Sindy Mohamed, viola
Astrig Siranossian, violoncello
Assif Binness, violoncello
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