The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra

A Favorable Combination for Them

A Multicultural Orchestra

I.S.F.D. 41

Misa Ulises

Written and Language Expression IV

A Favorable Combination for Them

 The Multicultural Orchestra

Israel, located east to the Mediterranean Sea, is the world’s only Jewish state. Jews wanted to establish a national homeland in what was then Arab territory. The Arabs, known today as the Palestinian terrain, looked for the creation of their own country and government on all or part of the same land as well. Moreover, Jewish’s increasing immigration after WWII’s Holocaust, intensified hostility even more between the two parties.  Early attempts by the United Nations to grant each group part of the disputed land have failed and remained equivocal as to the respective claims of the Palestinians and Israelis. Eventually both territories engaged in several wars, leaving Israel in 1967 in control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Decades of uncertainty and violence have resulted from the incapability of either side to acknowledge each other’s allege about the disputation of the land. However, beneath this international conflict, Classical Music tries to find its own way to ameliorate the incompatibility between these two ethnic Middle East groups. Despite the sparking controversy caused by his performance in Ramallah, the enthusiastic Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim would foster, through the language of music, a spirit of understanding and humanity, and thus enhance peace amongst a territory that has been under friction for several decades.

The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra conducted from 1999 by the Argentinian-Israeli Daniel Barenboim along with the Palestinian Edward Said has grown to become Daniel’s most powerful device to enhance respect and understanding within the Israeli and Palestinian people. His artistic and revolutionary ideas have been wisely organized in order to provide a space for young multicultural students to share their knowledge, skills and backgrounds, and thus bridge the gap between their own different origins. “In front of a Symphony, we are all equals” said Barenboim in one interview program some years ago. These students that take part of this constructive workshop may enhance their musical techniques while they learn to “live together” with other members that may come from a state or country opposite to their own one. Therefore, their music plays a key role supporting intercultural dialogue through musical education encouraging mutual acceptance and soothing antagonism within the whole Orchestra.

The Divan project, however, has not always generated compassion and sympathy along all its audience. Actually, several groups have reacted in the past against some of the Orchestra’s choice of songs which had anti-Semitic roots. One of the reasons for Barenboim’s works to be interpreted as creative as controversial, laid on his decision of conducting Wagner’s song Tristan und Isolde in an Opera festival thirteen years ago. Although the artist has already explained in various interviews, and some may or may not agree with him, that it would have been a victory for the Nazis for Wagner’s music not to be performed in Israel, others complained that Wagner’s representation heart the feelings of thousands of citizenships of the Israeli State who automatically linked the song with atrocities that had taken place during Hitler’s period. Additionally, some Orchestra Directors would even consider his attitude towards his own culture, unethical and unfair for the audience. Nevertheless, all his work along with his group of musicians seems to have continued inspiring many youngsters across the discordant terrains which still nowadays remain in conflict, despite particular failing boycotts or negative reactions against the conductor’s “peculiar” choices for his concerts.

Admired and criticized at the same time, Barenboim’s musical project has not only encouraged people from antagonistic territories to gather in a multicultural Orchestra and be given an opportunity to make their way through the Classical Music experience.  The Divan devise has offered as well, the creation of a forum to talk and reflect upon the conflicts that insists on corrupting the peace of thousands of people who still remain without their own homelands. Furthermore, this Orchestra brings together musicians from Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt to work on the self-improvement of their Socio-Cultural and Political differences, and thus generate a sense of humanism across the Middle East and upon the increasing audience that identifies with their songs and encouraging spirit. These talented students with the help of such an experienced conductor like Daniel Barenboim, have worked hard to convey with their instruments a message of freedom, peace and civilization, through which is fair enough to believe that like in an orchestra, it takes time and effort to arrive at a point where everybody can think alike and complement with your partner or homeland neighbor, but is not impossible to achieve.

From its very beginning, the Divan project has proved how music could work as an effective device to enhance acceptance and understanding throughout two nations that have been under struggle for more than half a century. Moreover, it suggests that it is possible to coexist and preserve unity and humanity between Israelis and Palestinians if everybody works together towards equalization and mutual understanding. Although The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra may not provide a final solution to the persistent problem within these ethnic groups, at least their songs and constructive workshop could encourage more people to meet each other and find out that despite obvious difference amongst their believes, we are all humans with the same rights.

References

Barenboim, D. (2011, ). Wagner, Israel and the Palestinians. Daniel Barenboim.  Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.danielbarenboim.com/journal/wagner-israel-and-the-palestinians.html

Barenboim, D. (2011, ). Daniel Barenboim on the Cancellation of Performances of Idomeneo in Berlin. Daniel Barenboim.  Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.danielbarenboim.com/journal/daniel-barenboim-on-the-cancellation-of-performances-of-idomeneo-in-berlin.html

Keneş, B. (2013, February 27). East-Western Divan orchestra remains a source of controversy. Todays Zaman.  Retrieved September 25, 2014, from http://www.todayszaman.com/news-308268-east-western-divan-orchestra-remains-a-source-of-controversy.html

Quince, A. (2014, July 22). Rear Vision. Israel, Palestine and the problem with the two-                                                                                                 state solution.  Retrieved September 17, 2014, from http:// www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/the-problem-with-the-two-state-solution/5614534

(2001, July 10). Pagina 12 web. Wagner, un tema tabú en Israel.  Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.pagina12.com.ar/2001/01-07/01-07-10/pag24.htm

2013, February 05). Playing With the Enemy: Orchestra Brings Together Israelis and Arabs. PBS NewsHour.  Retrieved September 22, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment-jan-june13-music_02-05/

(2008, December 15). Daniel Barenboim as UN Messenger of Peace. UN web TV.  Retrieved September 22, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4kc3jhHRKo