Berliner Philharmoniker Names Daniel Barenboim First Honorary Conductor

On June 7, 2019, the Berliner Philharmoniker named Daniel Barenboim its first honorary conductor.

Barenboim became the first honorary member of the Berliner Philharmoniker in 1992 and is now the first artist to be named honorary conductor of the orchestra. The honor celebrates the 50^th anniversary of Daniel Barenboim’s conducting debut with the orchestra, which he made on June 14, 1969. Since his debut, Barenboim has conducted 229 concerts with the orchestra, 49 of which were presented during tours.

Speaking of Barenboim, Orchestra board member Knut Weber shares, “Since he made his conducting debut with us, Daniel Barenboim is the guest conductor with whom our orchestra has the closest relationship, and we remember many outstanding concerts with him. Daniel Barenboim has also introduced us to many musical rarities, from works by Elgar to the music of his native Argentina. We have shared unforgettable experiences, such as our spontaneous concert for the fall of the Berlin Wall on 12 November 1989 and our tour to Israel in spring 1990. When we now name Daniel Barenboim our honorary conductor, we are not only honoring a great musician but a wonderful colleague and friend as well.”