Barenboim has given many lectures about music including the Reith Lecture in 2006 . On 15 May 2006 Barenboim was named principal guest conductor of the La Scala opera house , in Milan , Italy . In 2006 , Barenboim was the BBC Reith Lecturer , giving five lectures called ` In the Beginning was Sound ' from London , Chicago , Berlin , and twice from Jerusalem in which he meditated on music , how it is created , one 's experience of it , and its place in life .