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 December 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 December 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.”