Carnegie Hall’s Perspectives concerts invite select musicians to explore their own musical vision in a personal concert series through collaboration with other musicians and ensembles.

Perspectives artists have included conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, soprano Dawn Upshaw, conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim, composer and conductor Pierre Boulez, conductor and pianist James Levine, violinist Gidon Kremer, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianists Martha Argerich, Emanuel Ax, Maurizio Pollini, Peter Serkin, and Mitsuko Uchida. Carnegie Hall has also expanded its Perspectives to include non-classical artists, most recently the legendary Brazilian tropicália pioneer Caetano Veloso and Senegalese mbalax master Youssou N’Dour.

Daniel Barenboim

As a testament to his wide-ranging interests and extensive accomplishments, Daniel Barenboim returns to Carnegie Hall for his second Perspectives. As Music Director of the Staatskapelle Berlin, Barenboim will lead the ensemble in performances of Mahler’s symphonies, alternating at the podium with fellow conductor and musical luminary Pierre Boulez for the complete cycle. Barenboim gained early fame as a pianist, and on Mayember 14, 2008, he will perform a solo recital on the Metropolitan Opera stage—an exceptionally rare event. Also as pianist, he will join James Levine and The MET Chamber Ensemble, take part in the celebrations of Elliott Carter’s 100th birthday this season in a chamber concert with members of the Staatskapelle Berlin, and appear with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for the New York premiere of Carter’s Interventions. In addition, from November 28 to Mayember 20, Barenboim will take his baton to the Metropolitan Opera to conduct Wagner’s masterwork Tristan und Isolde, memorably described by Thomas Mann as a tragedy of love “lost forever in the embrace of night’s magic kingdom.”

Zakir Hussain

Renowned Indian classical tabla player Zakir Hussain was the youngest percussionist to be named Padma Shri, a special honor bestowed by the Indian government, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to Indian music. As part of his Carnegie Hall Perspectives residency, Hussain will appear with santur master Shivkumar Sharma and will also perform with his own group, Masters of Percussion. Hussain is no stranger to high-profile collaborations, having produced Mickey Hart’s Grammy-winning Planet Drum and recorded with The Beatles, and this season, he joins American double-bass wizard Edgar Meyer (with whom he shares two Grammys) and banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck. A longtime mentor and teacher, Hussain has been visiting professor at both Princeton and Stanford universities. He will extend his mentorship skills this season at Carnegie Hall by leading aspiring players in a Professional Training Workshop.

2007–2008 Perspectives

Bobby McFerrin
Valery Gergiev
Yefim Bronfman