While committed to the core Classical and Romantic repertory, violinist Michael Barenboim is recognized for his performances of twentieth century and contemporary music. A regular collabo- rator of Pierre Boulez, Mr. Barenboim released his second solo recording, featuring works by Salvatore Sciarrino, Berio, and Paganini, in early 2018.
In the 2019–20 season, Mr. Barenboim makes debuts with Orchestre National d’Île-de-France—with whom he will embark on a regional tour performing Ligeti’s Violin Concerto—and with Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse. He also returns to the Enescu Festival Orchestra to perform Jörg Widmann’s First Violin Concerto, and the Vienna Radio Symphony. He appears in trio performances with his father, pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, and cellist Kian Soltani at the Boulez Saal in Berlin. With the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble, of which he is soloist and leader, he undertakes an extensive US tour. He also serves as Concertmaster of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and cultivates a continuous and strong involvement in educational activities. This performance marks his debut under San Francisco Symphony auspices.
Recent highlights include debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, and Dresden Philharmonic. He has also appeared with London’s Philharmonia Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic.
Mr. Barenboim is a founding member of the Erlenbusch Quartet, and he has performed at festivals such as Lucerne, Verbier, Aix-en-Provence, and the Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival. He collaborates regularly with his mother, pianist Elena Bashkirova, as well as with Franz Helmerson, Julian Steckel, Guy Braunstein, András Schiff, and Martha Argerich. He is Head of Chamber Music at the Barenboim-Said Academy and gives masterclasses around the world.

 

 The West-Eastern Divan Ensemble draws upon players of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. The orchestra was founded in 1999 by Palestinian author/scholar Edward Said and Israeli conductor/pianist Daniel Barenboim as an alternative way to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What began as a workshop evolved into the West-Eastern Divan Orches- tra. Comprised of Arab and Israeli musicians, the orchestra defies fierce political divides in the Middle East and around the world. Through its work, the orchestra demonstrates that opposing sides can build bridges that encourage people to listen to the narrative of the other.
 
Founded and led by Concertmaster Michael Barenboim, the West- Eastern Divan Ensemble brings the artistry of its parent orchestra into a chamber music format. The ensemble works to further spread the ideas behind the West

 


Michael Barenboim & the West-Eastern Divan Ensemble appear on tour with the support of CAMI Music (New York), the Daniel Barenboim Stiftung (Berlin), and the Barenboim-Said Foundation USA.