Last Wednesday, August 11, the members of the National Children’s Orchestra of Venezuela had an unusual morning: they attended a seminar conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and performed for Daniel Barenboim, who is visiting our country for the fourth time. On this occasion, the famous conductor is accompanied by the West Eastern Divan Orchestra, which is made up of Spanish, Palestinian, Israeli, and other Middle East musicians.

Right after 10:00 a.m., the members of the West Eastern Divan Orchestra entered the rehearsal room. They could not believe their eyes –more than 300 children sat there tightly packed.  In order to convince themselves that what they were seeing was not an illusion; they took pictures, counted the young musicians in each section of instruments, and were as impressed by the sheer size of the orchestra as a paleontologist would with the discovery of a dinosaur’s bone.

“I cannot believe my eyes. This orchestra is huge for a children's orchestra. Never in my life have I seen anything like this," said Syrian violinist Nadim Housni.

Maestro Dudamel conducted the new children’s orchestra in the performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major "Titan", the orchestra’s debut work; which earned them a standing ovation by the visiting musicians.

Fourteen-year-old first violin Samuel Vargas Texeira, presented Daniel Barenboim with a Venezuelan-flag jacket.

“I first came here ten years ago, and listened to a few kids conducted by a certain Dudamel. I was very impressed with the performance, and now I’m speechless. I hope this would spread throughout the world because it is unique. This visionary project ascribes the greatest, most profound value to music. On top of it all, these kids show great enthusiasm and artistry.

Maestro José Antonio Abreu proposed Barenboim to set up a joint project between El Sistema and the West Eastern Divan Orchestra.

“I find it a good idea; to my knowledge, these are the only projects that confer music its right place in society and that stress its human side. Each one can experience it in a unique way, but one thing is certain, it is related to the human condition,” said Barenboim.

The uniqueness of this project lies in the fact that by making music at the highest level, a high social dimension is reached capable of transforming society.

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Daniel Barenboim West Eastern Divan Orchestra at Montalbán Children’s Academic Center.

Barenboim expressed his desire to come back soon and conduct the National Children’s Orchestra.

That very day, the renowned conductor gave a master class to the members of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra and led them in the performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.