The Ramallah Concert Knowledge Is the Beginning/West Eastern Divan Orchestra/Barenboim

Customer Reviews

Knowledge AND COMPASSION is the Beginning

2008-06-24
When a one human being sets an example of the highest quality of human endeavor and consciousness, each one of us learns how to become like-minded in such expression and action.Daniel Barenboim's film is true inspiration and guidance. This film should be viewed and shared among all those who strive to create a more harmonic, intelligently creative world.

The Magic in Music

2008-06-17
Knowledge Is the Beginning/West-Eastern Divan Orchestra and The Ramallah Concert (2 DVDs) are a powerful tribute to the work of Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said. Moving through the process of making a dream come true shows clearly their vision and commitment to the concept of building an orchestra in the Middle East composed of young musicians who would otherwise never meet one another given the fragmented world they are growing up in. Yo-Yo Ma's participation was a real bonus too. The great honesty in the interviews and the dedication and willingness to take personal risks, especially by Barenboim, to make it happen are transparent. Also, seeing how things grew more quickly than they expected prove that sometimes life is on a schedule all it's own and we can facilitate, but not dictate the terms. This two part package makes for a very moving experience, not just once but time and time again. On my second viewing I was more deeply touched than the first time by Barenboim's boldness in the face of the stark political realities through out the region.

Knowledge is the Beginning

2007-12-23
This is an excellent music item and political item. It shows the attitudes of young Arab and Israeli musicians about working together, and, to some extent, about the political situation they are in. The footage of Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said expressing their perspectives is very moving. We see how, over the years, this collaborative effort has developed. The second disk is largely a complete and fine performance by the youth orchestra.

Knowledge is the Beginning and the Ramallah Concert

2007-12-23
Extraordinarily important and beautiful documentaries. EVeryone concerned about the troubles in our world will find hope and promise in the Barenboim-Said collaboration and the process they created that enables gifted young musicians from different worlds learn to make exquisite music together.

Hope for peace

2007-12-06
Through this project, Said and Barenboim have done something that no politicians are able to accomplish. It's an amazing story that revived the dream (despite the current bleak reality) that one day Arabs and Israeli may be able to reconcile and live in harmony.

Barenboim is an inspiration

2007-03-20
I had the pleasure to meet with the Maestro when I was in Europe many years ago. What he has done through music is simply inspirational. If we could only make music not war.....

This is a very inspiring DVD!

2006-06-26
This is a well done, honest commentary on Barenboim and Said's wonderful idea to break down the barriers of ignorance and mistrust by creating an orchestra which combines young Israeli and Arab musicians from various countries. Barenboim, Said, Ma and several of the orchestra members talk about their experiences, all leading to the exciting concert at Ramallah, the fulfilment of much planning and assistance. Second DVD with the Ramallah concert itself is a joy with so many talented young musicians playing Beethoven, Mozart and Elgar.