Yo-Yo Ma
WXQR and other online venues
OK, the playing was absolutely wonderful. The lack of information ahead of time and during the performance was woefully sad. I understand that I’m going to need to do more exploring in this ‘new normal’ world. Still.
I’m guessing that Mr. Ma played the six J. S. Bach suites in numerical order, but I never really found that out. I’m guessing that each suite had several movements, but I never really found that out. While listening to the two-and-a-half-hour concert, I was never quite sure when one suite ended and another began. Maybe that’s on me; I have n0t studied the intricacies of the solo cello suites. A little guidance would have gone a long, long way.
I knew about the performance because it was announced ahead of time on WQXR (and BabyBro alerted me). I guessed that the live performance was not happening in NYC (and I was right), otherwise WQXR would have been promoting the venue much more strongly. It took place in Boston, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
After all was said and done (though little was said), I enjoyed the performance. The suites themselves are a little too similar for my taste, and they leave a little to be desired, for me, in terms of specific interest. One of the most interesting things to me was when Mr. Ma (after the fourth suite?) explained that he needed to reset the pin on his cello after the workout the instrument had been given.
Teaching moment: the pin is the metal piece at the bottom of the cello that links it to the floor. Some cellists will use a strap of some sort to connect to the leg of the cellist’s chair and has a hole that the pin can poke into for stability. Most cellists do not use one. I’m guessing that Mr. Ma did not. Since it was radio, I’ll never know unless I do a lot more online exploring, which I am not inclined to do.
Overall, it was a once in a lifetime listening experience. And though I’m glad I experienced it, I was not bowled over. I really would have appreciated an online program—order of suites, movements of each suite, etc. Yes, the music is aural. Knowing what to expect is visual. I like to experience both.
ConcertMeister
