Notes and Editorial Reviews
To categorize CLASSIC YO-YO as simply a greatest-hits collection would be inaccurate. This compilation offers a glimpse of the breadth of a great artist's ability. It effectively conveys the essence of Yo-Yo Ma, not simply the virtuosity of a supremely gifted cellist--arguably the finest of his time--but the intelligence, insight, and assiduousness of a musician who continually seeks new challenges, explores diverse musical territories, and refuses to be pigeonholed.
The album begins, appropriately, with his remarkable account of the Prelude from J. S. Bach's Cello Suite No. 1, continuing through to an eclectic assortment that includes Piazzolla tangos, a Gershwin Prelude, and an excerpt from Tan Dun's score for the film CROUCHING TIGER,
Read more
HIDDEN DRAGON, as well as pieces by Fauré, Brahms, and Dvorák. The disc also features tracks from the "Appalachian" collaborations with Edgar Meyer and Mark O'Connor, and several bonuses in the form of previously unreleased material: Piazzolla's Tango Sensation: FEAR and new recordings of John Williams' "American Collection" Theme and the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts" featuring Alison Krauss. CLASSIC YO-YO is an excellent introduction for the uninitiated, but also holds value for anyone already familiar with the work of this extraordinary artist. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Five Tango Sensations: Fear by Astor Piazzolla
Performer:
Hector Console (Bass),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello),
Leonardo Marconi (Piano),
Nestor Marconi (Bandoneon)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1989; Argentina
Length: 5 Minutes 22 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Jorge Calandrelli.
2.
Die Elenden sollen essen, dass sie satt werden, BWV 75: no 7, Was Gott tutt, das ist wohlgetan by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: 1723; Cöthen, Germany
Length: 1 Minutes 30 Secs.
3.
Slavonic Dances (8) for Orchestra, Op. 72/B 147: no 2 in E minor, Dumka by Antonín Dvorák
Performer:
Itzhak Perlman (Violin),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Conductor:
Seiji Ozawa
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1886-1887; Bohemia
Length: 5 Minutes 1 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Oskar Morawetz.
4.
Preludes (3) for Piano: no 1 in B flat major, Allegro ben ritmato e deciso by George Gershwin
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello),
Jeffrey Kahane (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1926; USA
Date of Recording: 06/1992
Venue: Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory
Length: 1 Minutes 42 Secs.
Notes: Arrangers: Jascha Heifetz; Yo-Yo Ma.
5.
Saint Matthew Passion, BWV 244: no 47, Erbarme dich by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Conductor:
Ton Koopman
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Period: Baroque
Written: ?1727; Leipzig, Germany
Length: 7 Minutes 20 Secs.
6.
Quartet for Piano and Strings no 2 in G minor, Op. 45: Allegro molto by Gabriel Fauré
Performer:
Jaime Laredo (Viola),
Isaac Stern (Violin),
Emanuel Ax (Piano),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: ?1885-86; France
Length: 9 Minutes 11 Secs.
7.
Songs (14), Op. 34: no 14, Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninov
Performer:
Bobby McFerrin (Voice),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1912-1915; Russia
Length: 6 Minutes 24 Secs.
Notes: Composition written: Russia (1912 - 1915).
8.
Libertango by Astor Piazzolla
Performer:
Leonardo Marconi (Piano),
Hector Console (Bass),
Horacio Malvicino (Guitar),
Antonio Agri (Violin),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello),
Nestor Marconi (Bandoneon)
Period: 20th Century
Written: Argentina
Length: 3 Minutes 8 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Jorge Calandrelli.
9.
1B by Edgar Meyer
Performer:
Mark O'Connor (Violin),
Edgar Meyer (Double Bass),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
Length: 3 Minutes 59 Secs.
10.
American Collection: Theme by John Williams
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Conductor:
John T. Williams
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Los Angeles Recording Arts Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Length: 3 Minutes 29 Secs.
11.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Eternal Vow by Tan Dun
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello),
Kasim (Drums),
David Cossin (Drums),
Alimjan (Rawap)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra,
Shanghai National Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2000
Length: 2 Minutes 58 Secs.
12.
Appalachia Waltz by Mark O'Connor
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Length: 4 Minutes 25 Secs.
13.
Butterfly's Day Out by Mark O'Connor
Performer:
Mark O'Connor (Mandolin),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello),
Edgar Meyer (Double Bass)
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
Length: 4 Minutes 43 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Edgar Meyer.
14.
Simple gifts by Joseph Brackett
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello),
Alison Krauss (Voice)
Written: USA
Length: 2 Minutes 34 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Edgar Meyer.
15.
Suite for Cello solo no 1 in G major, BWV 1007 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1720; Cöthen, Germany
Length: 2 Minutes 22 Secs.
16.
Sonata for Cello and Piano no 2 in F major, Op. 99: 1st movement, Allegro vivace by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
Emanuel Ax (Piano),
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1886; Austria
Length: 4 Minutes 37 Secs.
Sound Samples
Prélude from Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (Excerpt)
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 75
Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, Op. 72
I. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso from Three Preludes
American Collection Theme (Extended Version)
IV. Allegro molto from Sonata for Cello and Piano in F Major, Op. 99
The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Erbarme dich (Matthäus-Passion), BWV 244
IV. Allegro molto from Quartet for Piano & Strings No. 2 in G minor, Op. 45 (Excerpt)
Appalachia Waltz (Solo Cello Version)
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Classic Yo-yo/Yo-yo Ma June 26, 2012
By Arvis Hiniker (Carlsbad, CA) See All My Reviews
"If you love cello and are a fan of Yo-Yo Ma, this is a great album with a sampling of pieces from a number of his current albums. It is a very eclectic group of pieces reflecting the versatility of Mr. Ma. Each piece is delightful and I just had to have this album after I heard selections from it on my favorite classical radio station. I appreciate the convenience of ordering the albums I hear on my radio station from ArkivMusic."
Report Abuse
Review This Title
