Daniel Barenboim to 'step back' from performing

Conductor Daniel Barenboim has announced his intention to take ‘a step back’ from performance due to ill health.

The news follows last night’s announcement that the conductor has been awarded Gramophone’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work both as a conductor and pianist, as well as his humanitarian work founding the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. In the awards ceremony, held yesterday evening, Gramophone presented a collection of tributes from friends and colleagues.

In a statement also released on social media yesterday evening, Barenboim said: ‘It is with a combination of pride and sadness that announce today that am taking a step back from some of my performing activities, especially conducting engagements, for the coming months.’

The conductor cites ill health as the reason for his hiatus, stating: ‘My health has deteriorated over the last months, and I have been diagnosed with a serious neurological condition. must now focus on my physical well-being as much as possible.’

Earlier this year, Barenboim’s health prevented him from performing during the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra’s May tour to be replaced by Thomas Guggeis. The orchestra described this earlier illness as ‘an inflammatory vascular disease’ from which ‘he is expected to make a full recovery.’

Born in Buenos Aires and now based in Berlin, 79-year-old Barenboim has been general music director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden since 1992 and was awarded the role of principal conductor for life with the Staatskapelle Berlin in March 2003. Previous roles held by the prestigious conductor include principal conductor of the Orchestre de Paris, and music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra between 1991 and 2006.

Closing his statement, Barenboim said: ‘Music has always been and continues to be an essential and lasting part of my life. I have lived all my life in and through music, and I will continue to do so as long as my health allows me to. Looking back and ahead, I am not only content but deeply fulfilled.’