Parallels & Paradoxes

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'A beautifully poised series of dialogues about literature, music and politics, and they're a testimony to the enormous gifts and courage of both men' - Tom Paulin, Guardian

'A marvellous eavesdrop on the discourse of exchange between two great intellects' - Nadine Gordimer, TLS

'An extraordinary meeting of minds in troubled times' - Financial Times

'A fascinating exchange of ideas on music, politics and literature' - Classic FM Magazine

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Israeli Daniel Barenboim, one of the finest musicians of our times, and Palestinian Edward Said, eminent literary critic and leading expert on the Middle East, were close friends for years. Parallels and Paradoxes is a series of discussions between the two friends about music, politics, literature and society.

Barenboim and Said talk about, among other subjects, the differences between writing prose and music; the compromising politician versus the uncompromising artist; 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 moving, Parallels and Paradoxes is an affectionate and impassioned exchange of ideas.