PORTRAIT “BARENBOIM OR THE POWER OF MUSIC”

An all-embracing portrait of Daniel Barenboim on the occasion of his 75th birthday

In honour of the 75th birthday of Daniel Barenboim, one of the most renowned conductors and pianists of our times, the first all-embracing portrait of this outstanding musical personality has been created. The documentary accompanies Maestro Barenboim in his eventful working life and at the same time gives a detailed review of Barenboim’s long musical career, from its beginnings until today.

Shot at Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Ramallah, Munich, Berlin and London, the movie captures rehearsals and performances of Barenboim and his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Teatro Colón and the Waldbühne Berlin, and looks behind the scenes of two milestone events in Berlin: the opening of the Pierre-Boulez-Saal and the grand re-opening of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, where Barenboim performs together with the Staatskapelle Berlin.

Several interviews with long-term companions of the thoroughbred musician – among them Martha Argerich, Zubin Mehta, Waltraud Meier, his son Michael Barenboim and director Wim Wenders – give very personal insights into the experiences they shared with Daniel Barenboim throughout the years.

Born in Argentina, with israelic roots, citizen also of Spain and Palestine and working all over the world, Daniel Barenboim has fundamentally affected the world of classical music not only in terms of his musical genius and his merits in the promotion of young talents, but also with regard to his tireless engagement for peace, freedom and human rights.

A production of BR, RBB and Unitel