Daniel Barenboim A Hit With The Critics At The Bbc Proms

Daniel Barenboim is a hugely revered Israeli Argentine-born pianist and conductor within the classical world, currently working as general music director at Milan's famous La Scala, the Berlin State Opera and the Staatskapelle Berlin. Who better then to perform the symphonies of arguably the most famous classical composer of all time, Beethoven?

That's exactly what Barenboim at this year's BBC Proms, with BBC2 documenting his performance at the Royal Albert Hall this weekend on 'Barenboim On Beethoven: Nine Symphonies That Changed The World'. The documentary included the composer explaining the ins and outs of the pieces in a fascinating piece, with the piece de resistance his own interpretation itself. It was a program that found favour with the critics; the Daily Telegraph had a gripe with the point of the program in that they didn't believe Barenboim incarnated Beethoven more than any other living composer, but they couldn't help but give the show four stars out of five.

The Daily Mail meanwhile focused on the performance itself, and in that respect found Barenboim's mastery faultless. "Barenboim was torso, head and shoulders above the other flag-bearers" they wrote. "The Olympic Games might bind humankind together in fulfilment of Schiller's vision, but it is only music which can call us to the Shrine, embracing the world's millions in wonder, love and peace."