Synopsis

2019 marks 20 years since the Israeli maestro Barenboim and the Palestinian humanities scholar Edward Said founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra to transcend cultural and political boundaries. Since then, the orchestra has brought together young talents from Israel and all Arab countries and tours the great stages of classical music every year. With the opening of the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin, the spirit of the orchestra - 15 years after the death of Edward Said - has now found a permanent home.

After a successful global career as a pianist, conductor and musical teacher with political aspirations, the creation of this place is perhaps Barenboim's most enduring work and is also a project close to his heart. The Music Academy emphasises the importance of producing strong characters and musical role models who use music with courage and passion as a cultural achievement that unites people. The pedagogical concept of the academy is fully committed to Barenboim's and above all Edward Said's humanistic ideals and ultimately a clear message of peace: music creates understanding.

In BEYOND THE MUSIC we get to know the most important protagonists and the aims of the Barenboim-Said Akademie. We experience muse and dedication in an organisation that places the highest demands on art and on the people who learn and teach there.