Fresh Air A Yo-Yo Ma Thanksgiving
13 snips
Nov 28, 2024 
Yo-Yo Ma, the celebrated cellist famous for his interpretations of Bach and work with the Silk Road Ensemble, joins the discussion with Terry Gross. He shares the backstory of his cello, affectionately named 'Petunia.' The conversation explores his childhood as a prodigy, the rebellion he faced, and how he navigates his multicultural identity. Ma emphasizes the emotional power of music, discussing its role in commemorating collective heritage and the necessity of embracing imperfections in art.
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Petunia's Naming
- Yo-Yo Ma's cello, Petunia, received its name about 25 years ago.
- A high school student named Brittany suggested the name after hearing him play in Salt Lake City.
Bach's Cello Suites
- Bach's cello suites were written for cello alone, demanding the instrument carry the entire musical weight.
- Initially seen as technical exercises, they weren't widely appreciated as beautiful music until Pablo Casals' recordings.
Learning Bach
- Yo-Yo Ma first learned a piece from Bach's cello suites at four years old, using a simple one-finger pattern.
- As he grew older, the piece became more challenging, leading him to interpret it through the imagery of a flowing river.