Daniel Barenboim

Over the years I’ve been to many recitals, concertos and orchestral performances for multiple genres of classical music, but Daniel Barenboim’s conducting is something else entirely. His orchestra are the tightest I’ve ever hears, with his precise supervision and guidance for every phrase of music. The performance of La Scala was incredible, the entire piece working in a crescendo to the final movement which blew everyone away.
As well as his incredible conducting skills, Barenboim’s talents as a pianist are something you don’t want to miss, and although I’m not sure if he does it at every concert, he played a couple of piano solos of his own compositions before the show. His interaction with the audience was great, introducing the concerto, and also giving his opinions on the style and message of the music.
Although of course his back was to us in the audience for the majority of the performance, it was evident that his every fibre was fully invested in the music. His variations between staccato a legato were evident in his movements, and the orchestra reacted perfectly to his directions. He’s one of the masters out there at the moments, and I’ll definitely be going to the next piece he conducts, he’s a real master at his trade.