Grand Masters of the Cello V

Well we have made it to Friday and the cusp of the Weekend once again, TGIF!  It has been a fascinating week for me at least as we have examined the lives and careers of our Grand Masters of the Cello, Pablo Casals, Leonard Rose, Mstislav Rostropovich and Jacqueline du Pré.  Upon the passing of Rostropovich in 2007, the mantle of the "Greatest Living Cellist" passed inevitably to today's Grand Master of the Cello, French born Chinese-American Virtuoso Yo Yo Ma.  I tend to think of Yo Yo Ma as so much younger than myself when in reality, he was born just 4 years after I was.  Would that I were so accomplished in my lifetime.  

Born in Paris, he spent his schooling years in New York City and was a child prodigy, performing from the age of five. He graduated from Juilliard School and Harvard University and has enjoyed a prolific career as both a soloist performing with orchestras around the world and a recording artist. His 90+ albums have received 18 Grammy Awards.

In addition to recordings of the standard classical repertoire, he has recorded a wide variety of folk music such as American bluegrass music, traditional Chinese melodies, the tangos of Argentinian composer Ástor Piazzolla, and Brazilian music. He also collaborated with Grammy Award-winning jazz/reggae singer Bobby McFerrin. During their controversial tour of 2005-6, Ma backed them playing cello as sideman for the Dixie Chicks, assisting in the string arrangements for the band.

Ma's primary performance instrument is a Montagnana Cello built in 1733 valued at US$2.5 million.  He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2001, Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, and the Polar Music Prize in 2012.  In 2011 he was feted at the Kennedy Center Honors with his tribute portion hosted by everyone's favorite faux Republican Stephen Colbert:

Like our other Grand Masters, I went looking for documentary footage of the life of Yo Yo Ma on You Tube, but alas there has not yet been a film biography of this amazing musician and arts activist.  There were a couple of fascinating 'conversations' with him that I would like to share with you.  In 2013, Yo Yo Ma was selected to present the 26th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on the State of the Arts and Humanities.  

Drawing on his training as a musician and what he has learned traveling the world for more than 30 years as a touring performer, Yo-Yo Ma discussed where in nature, society, and human interactions we can find the greatest creativity, and what we can all do to help students grow up to be contributing and committed citizens.

Joining Yo-Yo Ma for the performance portions of the lecture were: bagpiper and pianist Cristina Pato, jooker Lil' Buck, MusiCorps wounded warriors: Specialist Nathan Kalwicki, Lance Corporal Josh Cawthorn, Sergeant Rex Tharp, Corporal Marcus Dandrea, Lance Corporal Tim Donley, teaching artist Greg Loman and founder Arthur Bloom.

In addition to remarks by Yo-Yo Ma, speakers also included Victoria Reggie Kennedy; Bob Lynch, President & CEO of Americans for the Arts President; and Abel Lopez, Chair of the Board of Americans for the Arts and Associate Producing Director of GALA Hispanic Theater.

After his formal lecture on the Arts, he continued the 'conversation', Art For Life's Sake, with his good friend Damian Woetzel, Director of the Aspen Institute Arts Program.

World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, 2013 Harman-Eisner artist in residence, discusses his far-reaching vision for how artists can practice their citizenship, as individuals and through institutions—and how the arts fulfill a fundamental human need by forging and strengthening community.

Session produced by the Aspen Institute Arts Program, under the direction of Damian Woetzel. For more information about the Aspen Institute Arts Program, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/artsprogram

Yo Yo Ma continues to add to his life and legacy with his work with The Silk Road Project, various educational efforts around the world and especially his work with the Wounded Warrior Project and the MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band. 

And yet our week is not yet finished, wait until you tune in to see what I have in store for tomorrow's Saturday Evening Concert which of course ties in to the Grand Masters of the Cello focus of this week both here and on my tumblr.  Speaking of my tumblr, the companion piece for today's Grand Master is the 1985 performance by Yo Yo Ma and his Julliard classmate, Emmanuel Ax of the Cello Sonata in E Minor, Opus 38 by Johannes Brahms captured live in Tokyo. 

Finally, Friday would not be Friday without some Fantasy Fuel which you will find in the post down below and the Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr.  Thanks for the visit, besure to tune in to find what I have in store for you tomorrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

**  The Various Videographers Commentary, Wikipedia, The Silk Road Project, and Wounded Warrior Project all the contributed to this post