Two and a half decades ago, Daniel Barenboim and the Palestinian-American scholar and public intellectual Edward W. Said started what seemed like a utopian project back then and today has become more relevant than ever: bringing together young musicians from Palestine, Israel, and other countries of the Middle East and North Africa with the mission of fostering mutual understanding and dialogue. The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has earned acclaim and awards around the world—despite the ongoing challenges that prevent the ensemble from performing in its members’ home countries.

To mark the orchestra’s 25th birthday and to reinforce their passionate commitment to its vision, the young musicians take the stage of the Berlin Philharmonie on April 15, led by Daniel Barenboim. The program includes Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, with Yamen Saadi as the soloist. A graduate of the Barenboim-Said Akademie, he began his artistic journey as a member of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the age of eleven and later served as its concertmaster. He has held the same position with the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera since 2022. 

In August 2024, the orchestra will reunite with Maestro Daniel Barenboim for its annual European summer tour. This year's guest soloist will be violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.