Where music is needed most

Norman Lebrecht

● IN SLEEPLESS NIGHTS OF THE Gaza war I think about the musicians, improvising in the unfolding awfulness. A week or so after the Hamas massacres, members of the Israel Philharmonic toured hospitals in small ensembles, playing in corridors for casualties, medical staff and visitors. No one was surprised to see them. There are expectations, going back to 1948 that in times of trauma, musicians turn up to provide relief. Grainy photographs exist of Leonard Bernstein playing piano in the desert with a small orchestra. In 1967 Daniel Barenboim brought moral support and Bernstein conducted Mahler’s Resurrection symphony on the Mount of Olives. In 1973, Leonard Cohen camped out with a tank division (left). In this war, the Israel Phil was back in tie and tails as soon as neutralised…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, February 2024

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