English Musician Man In A Hum

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31974, 29 April 1969, Page 16

English Musician Man In A Hum

Daniel Barenboim, the 26-year-old con-ductor-piano soloist with the visiting English Chamber Orchestra, is a young man in a hurry.

He arrived at Christchurch airport yesterday afternoon from Sydney. An hour later he was rehearsing with the orchestra in Christchurch Cathedra! for the public performance at 8 p.m.

Originally Mr Barenboim should have arrived here on Sunday but his wife developed a throat complaint and was unable to accompany him to Christchurch.

At the airport Mr Barenboim was met by representatives of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation and the Christchurch Chamber Music Society. Worried about rehearsals, he had only a very brief time available for the press.

He admitted he enjoyed playing as a soloist and conducting. "Fortunately. I manage to divide my talents quite happily." On the subject of chamber music, Mr Barenboim said many people did not go to concerts of this type of music because of preconceived notions. “Quite often you will find that if they do go they will change their minds.”

He believes the great thing about music is that it has much to offer everyone. “Music can be grasped intellectually. emotionally, sensually, or any way you wish, really.” Records could aid musical appreciation, he said. "They fill the gap for people who cannot get to live concerts." He said records should present performances as they are given in the concert hall and not be just “a collection of bits stuck together."

Mr Barenboim said he liked all kinds of music, including some modern. He confessed to having tried his hand at composing. “But I realised I was no good. I would rather say so myself than have other people tell me so."

Although Mr Barenboim has been associated with the English Chamber Orchestra regularly it has no permanent conductor. “The bulk of the conducting work with the s orchestra is divided between Benjamin Britten and myself,” he said.