Israeli Daniel Barenboim, one of the finest musicians of our times, and Palestin
ian Edward Said, eminent literary critic and leading expert on the Middle East,
have been close friends for years. "Parallels and Paradoxes" is a series of disc
ussions between the two friends about music, politics, literature and society, B
arenboim and Said talk about, among other subjects, the differences between writ
ing prose and music; the compromising politician versus the uncompromising artis
t; Beethoven as the ultimate sonata composer; Wagner (Barenboim is considered by
many to be the greatest living conductor of his work); great teachers; and the
power of culture to transcend national differences. Illuminating and deeply movi
ng, "Parallels and Paradoxes" is an affectionate and impassioned exchange of ide
as.
