Yo-Yo Ma started his career very early, performing from the age of five. Since then has managed to get over 90 albums under his belt.  In addition to recordings of the standard classical repertoire, he has recorded everything from American bluegrass music to traditional Chinese melodies, tangos by Piazzolla and Brazilian music.  Ma's primary performance instrument is a cello nicknamed "Petunia", built by Domenico Montagnana in 1733. It was named this by a female student who approached him after one of his classes in Salt Lake City asking if he had a nickname for his cello. He said, "No, but if I play for you, will you name it?"   The one he probably uses in this clip is his Davidov Stradivarius. It was previously owned by Jacqueline du Pré, who used to get frustrated with the "unpredictability" of the cello. Yo-Yo Ma attributed the comment to du Pré's impassioned style of playing, adding that the Stradivarius cello must be "coaxed" by the player.   3

LiveSessions 1 Jun 2015