West-Eastern Divan Orchestra Essentals

Founded by Daniel Barenboim in 1999 with the goal of uniting cultures and promoting peace, the cosmopolitan West-Eastern Divan Orchestra aims for the heart. Ambitious performances highlight the refined ornamentation of the youth orchestra's woodwind and string sections, but expressive artistry is evident throughout. A reading of Berlioz feels like lightning in a bottle, and a highly focused rendition of Beethoven illuminates the composer's complex polyphony, while global tours help the Seville-based group fulfill its mission.