Yo-Yo Ma and the Minnesota Orchestra Celebrate Music and Community
This was such a rare treat to go see Yo-Yo Ma and the Minnesota Orchestra perform, and honestly, for me at least, it was probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Opening the evening, conductor Thomas Søndergård led the orchestra through William Walton’s Scapino Overture, a delightfully lively overture.
Søndergård explained that it was meant as a joyous piece, and you could really sense that spirit in the music. Sitting on the floor, I had a fantastic view of the players, where I could focus on individual musicians, especially the percussionists waiting for those big, crashing cymbal moments that brought such excitement and large, energetic bursts to the songs.
After that came a calmer shift as the orchestra moved into Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade in A minor (Op. 33). The piece had a quiet, calming presence. It was not dull, but it required focused, intentional listening, unfolding slowly with beautiful soft dynamics. I admittedly almost fell asleep, though not due to boredom. Instead, I was simply washed away into this dreamy calm, with the music carrying you along on its back. It was truly a wonderful piece.
When the orchestra began Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, I was immediately transported into a new world. These are some of my favorite pieces, and I was incredibly excited to hear them live. Each interlude paints a vivid picture of the sea, from restless energy to quiet mystery, and it was so clearly shown in my head that it was a real wonder to listen to. The orchestra played with incredible finesse, though as the movements transitioned, I wished the shifts between them had been a bit more defined. Everything flowed smoothly, but sometimes I wanted a clearer pause before the next section began. That feeling likely comes from listening to these pieces individually at home, so it is only fair to recognize that hearing them flow together was still a wonderful experience. When the music moved into Moonlight, that movement ended up making me cry a little. The way it unfolded, with delicate pauses and gradual builds, kept me completely engaged. Each rise toward a high note and the soft return held the audience, and myself, in quiet anticipation. It was so beautiful to hear, and for me it became a personal moment I fell in love with.
After this, the concert moved into intermission. When everyone returned, there was a clear sense of excitement throughout the hall, as everyone knew what was coming next.
When Yo-Yo Ma stepped out to perform the Cello Concerto in E minor by Edward Elgar, it honestly felt like seeing a wonder of the world. Once he began playing with the orchestra, that feeling only grew stronger. Watching what he could do with a cello felt almost surreal. His entire body moved fluidly, never stiff or mechanical, completely in tune with his playing. His mastery was obvious as he played multiple notes at once, stretching the strings while his fingers glided across them effortlessly, showing complete command of the instrument.
What made it even more astonishing was that he had memorized the entire piece. He has surely performed it many times before, but seeing it played without sheet music allowed him to watch the orchestra, respond to Søndergård’s cues, and fully engage with the music. His joy was also easy to see, smiling at the first violins and cellos and connecting with the entire group. His movement felt incredibly thoughtful and caring. He was not just playing the instrument; he was truly performing. That sense of experience came through in every moment. He stood out during his solos, then effortlessly blended back into the orchestra, showing mastery not just of the cello but of the entire performance, making every note feel like part of a larger shared conversation.
At the end of the main concerto, he briefly exited the stage before returning to perform a solo piece for the audience. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the name of the piece. He mentioned that it came from one of the greatest cellists to ever play and that it was a folk song from that musician’s hometown. The piece itself was sweet and engaging, with moments so quiet that you had to lean in just to hear the long, drawn-out notes he allowed to slowly fade into nothingness.
After the performance, the audience gave one of the longest standing ovations I have ever seen at any show. As the applause filled the hall, Yo-Yo Ma took a moment to speak. He talked about how much he loves and cares for Minnesota and said he was genuinely impressed by how people here look out for one another, especially in difficult times. It was also wonderful to watch him walk around the stage shaking the hands of members of the orchestra, ending the night with such warmth and joy.
I feel incredibly honored to have been able to witness this performance live. It was such an engaging and heartfelt event, and I truly could not have imagined experiencing something this incredible in person.
