Daniel Barenboim Announces He Has Parkinson’s Disease

On Thursday, the legendary pianist and conductor announced he has been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. The news release follows Barenboim’s previous disclosure that he was experiencing a serious neurological condition.

Beat on the ground: On February 6th, Daniel Barenboim disclosed on social media that he has Parkinson’s Disease. In his release, the 82-year-old pianist and conductor noted that he plans to continue with as many of his professional engagements as possible. He also noted that the ongoing success of his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra remains his top priority, which he will conduct whenever possible and ensure has excellent conductors.

Catch me up: The legendary Argentine-Israeli conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in 1999 as a way to bring Israeli and Arab musicians together. He also co-founded the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin with the Palestinian scholar Edward Said—a pluralist music school for students from across the Middle East—where Barenboim continues to teach.

In recent years, Daniel Barenboim has bowed out of various engagements due to declining health, including resigning as music director of the Berlin State Opera. His musical peace initiatives are needed more than ever at this difficult historical moment.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.