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Yo‐Yo Ma

Yo‐Yo Ma

Musician · France · b. 1955

classical music
▸ Source: Wikidata
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He has received prestigious awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts.

He began studying the cello at the age of four and was performing publicly by age five.

Ma has recorded over 90 albums and won 20 Grammy Awards throughout his career.

Based on: Wikidata, Wikipedia

Biography

Early Life

Yo-Yo Ma was born on October 7, 1955, in Paris to Chinese parents who were both deeply involved in music. His mother, Marina Lu, was a singer, while his father, Hiao-Tsiun Ma, was a violinist and music professor. The family moved to Boston when Yo-Yo was seven, where he began his formal music education. He started playing the cello at the age of four, quickly demonstrating prodigious talent. By the age of five, he was already performing for audiences, including notable figures like Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. His early education included studies at the Juilliard School and later at Harvard University, where he pursued a liberal arts education.

Career

Ma's career is marked by an impressive array of performances and recordings. He has recorded over 90 albums, winning 20 Grammy Awards for his work. His repertoire is eclectic, ranging from classical to bluegrass and traditional Chinese music. Notably, he contributed to the soundtracks of films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Memoirs of a Geisha." Beyond music, Ma is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including being named a Peace Ambassador by the UN and serving on the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Personal Life

Since 1978, Yo-Yo Ma has been married to Jill Hornor, an arts consultant, and they have two children. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and French, reflecting his multicultural background. Ma's family history is rich, tracing back 18 generations to 1217, and he has been recognized for his contributions to music and culture with numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Despite his fame, he remains humble, once humorously dismissing being labeled the "Sexiest Classical Musician" by People magazine as the "worst epithet" he has faced.

Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed

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Discography

Albums
Boccherini: Concerto For Violoncello & Orchestra / J.C. Bach: Symphony Concertante / Grand OvertureBoccherini: Concerto For Violoncello & Orchestra / J.C. Bach: Symphony Concertante / Grand Overture1987
  1. 1.Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B-flat major: I. Allegro moderato8:48
  2. 2.Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B-flat major: II. Adagio non troppo6:30
  3. 3.Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B-flat major: III. Rondo: Allegro4:49
  4. 4.Sinfonia concertante in A major for Violin, Cello and Orchestra: I. Andante di molto10:04
  5. 5.Sinfonia concertante in A major for Violin, Cello and Orchestra: II. Rondeau. Allegro assai5:34
  6. 6.Grand Overture No. 1 in E-flat major for Double Orchestra, Op. 18: I. Allegro spiritoso5:10
  7. 7.Grand Overture No. 1 in E-flat major for Double Orchestra, Op. 18: II. Andante6:05
  8. 8.Grand Overture No. 1 in E-flat major for Double Orchestra, Op. 18: III. Allegro2:07
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Cello Sonatas Nos. 3, 5Cello Sonatas Nos. 3, 51987
  1. 1.Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69: I. Allegro ma non tanto13:50
  2. 2.Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto5:20
  3. 3.Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69: III. Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace8:51
  4. 4.Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2: I. Allegro con brio6:41
  5. 5.Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2: II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto10:49
  6. 6.Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2: III. Allegro fugato4:45
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Schubert: Quartet No. 15, D. 887 / Mozart: Adagio & Fugue, K. 546Schubert: Quartet No. 15, D. 887 / Mozart: Adagio & Fugue, K. 5461987
  1. 1.Adagio & Fugue in C minor, K. 546: I. Adagio3:05
  2. 2.Adagio & Fugue in C minor, K. 546: II. Fugue4:05
  3. 3.String Quartet No. 15 in G major, Op. 161, D. 887: I. Allegro molto moderato23:23
  4. 4.String Quartet No. 15 in G major, Op. 161, D. 887: II. Andante un poco moto12:42
  5. 5.String Quartet No. 15 in G major, Op. 161, D. 887: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace7:21
  6. 6.String Quartet No. 15 in G major, Op. 161, D. 887: IV. Allegro assai10:20
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Cello Concerto Op. 104Cello Concerto Op. 1041986
  1. 1.Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): I. Allegro16:11
  2. 2.Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): II. Adagio ma non troppo12:49
  3. 3.Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): III. Finale: Allegro moderato13:27
  4. 4.Silent Woods (Klid), for cello & orchestra (arr. from From the Bohemian Forest, B. 133), B. 182 (Op. 68): No. 56:47
  5. 5.Rondo for cello & piano in G minor, B. 171 (Op. 94)8:09
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Sonata no. 4, op. 102, no. 1Sonata no. 4, op. 102, no. 11986
  1. 1.Sonata no. 4, op. 102, no. 1, for Cello and Piano: I. Andante, Allegro vivace8:43
  2. 2.Sonata no. 4, op. 102, no. 1, for Cello and Piano: II. Adagio, Allegro vivace8:44
  3. 3.7 Variations on the Theme "Bei Männern, Welche Liebe Fühlen" from Mozarts's Die Zauberflöte, for Cello and Piano, WoO 469:50
  4. 4.12 Variations on the Theme "See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes" from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus, for Cello and Piano, WoO 4513:20
  5. 5.12 Variations on the Theme "Ein Mädchen Oder Weibchen" from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, for Cello and Piano, Op. 6611:13
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Sonatas for Cello and PianoSonatas for Cello and Piano1985

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Tripelkonzert / Ouvertüren: Egmont / Coriolan / FidelioTripelkonzert / Ouvertüren: Egmont / Coriolan / Fidelio1985
  1. 1.Concerto for Piano, Violin, Cello and Orchestra in C major, op. 56 "Triple Concerto": I. Allegro17:53
  2. 2.Concerto for Piano, Violin, Cello and Orchestra in C major, op. 56 "Triple Concerto": II. Largo - attacca:5:48
  3. 3.Concerto for Piano, Violin, Cello and Orchestra in C major, op. 56 "Triple Concerto": III. Rondo alla Polacca12:42
  4. 4.Egmont, op. 84: Overture. Sostenuto, ma non troppo – Allegro8:26
  5. 5.Coriolan, op. 62: Allegro con brio9:05
  6. 6.Fidelio, op. 72c: Allegro6:56
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Japanese MelodiesJapanese Melodies1985
  1. 1.Matsushima-Ondo3:02
  2. 2.Kojo-No-Tsuki4:37
  3. 3.Zui-Zui-Zukkorobashi2:28
  4. 4.Defune5:02
  5. 5.Nara-Yama5:05
  6. 6.Chin-Chin-Chidori4:43
  7. 7.Sakura, Sakura4:22
  8. 8.Oroku-Musume3:18
  9. 9.Chugoku-Chiho-No-Komoriuta4:12
  10. 10.Chiran-Bushi4:32
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
The 6 Unaccompanied Cello SuitesThe 6 Unaccompanied Cello Suites1985
  1. 1.Suite no. 1, S. 1007: I. Prélude2:32
  2. 2.Suite no. 1, S. 1007: II. Allemande3:47
  3. 3.Suite no. 1, S. 1007: III. Courante2:26
  4. 4.Suite no. 1, S. 1007: IV. Sarabande2:56
  5. 5.Suite no. 1, S. 1007: V. Menuett3:06
  6. 6.Suite no. 1, S. 1007: VI. Gigue1:49
  7. 7.Suite no. 4, S. 1010: I. Prélude4:51
  8. 8.Suite no. 4, S. 1010: II. Allemande3:50
  9. 9.Suite no. 4, S. 1010: III. Courante3:42
  10. 10.Suite no. 4, S. 1010: IV. Sarabande4:32
  11. 11.Suite no. 4, S. 1010: V. Bourrée5:04
  12. 12.Suite no. 4, S. 1010: VI. Gigue2:36
  13. 13.Suite no. 5, S. 1011: I. Prélude6:18
  14. 14.Suite no. 5, S. 1011: II. Allemande5:22
  15. 15.Suite no. 5, S. 1011: III. Courante1:56
  16. 16.Suite no. 5, S. 1011: IV. Sarabande3:18
  17. 17.Suite no. 5, S. 1011: V. Gavotte4:15
  18. 18.Suite no. 5, S. 1011: VI. Gigue2:35
  19. 19.Suite no. 2, S. 1008: I. Prélude4:04
  20. 20.Suite no. 2, S. 1008: II. Allemande3:11
  21. 21.Suite no. 2, S. 1008: III. Courante1:48
  22. 22.Suite no. 2, S. 1008: IV. Sarabande4:42
  23. 23.Suite no. 2, S. 1008: V. Menuett3:00
  24. 24.Suite no. 2, S. 1008: VI. Gigue2:19
  25. 25.Suite no. 3, S. 1009: I. Prélude3:14
  26. 26.Suite no. 3, S. 1009: II. Allemande3:35
  27. 27.Suite no. 3, S. 1009: III. Courante2:27
  28. 28.Suite no. 3, S. 1009: IV. Sarabande3:43
  29. 29.Suite no. 3, S. 1009: V. Bourrée3:23
  30. 30.Suite no. 3, S. 1009: VI. Gigue3:07
  31. 31.Suite no. 6, S. 1012: I. Prélude4:12
  32. 32.Suite no. 6, S. 1012: II. Allemande7:02
  33. 33.Suite no. 6, S. 1012: III. Courante3:44
  34. 34.Suite no. 6, S. 1012: IV. Sarabande4:30
  35. 35.Suite no. 6, S. 1012: V. Gavotte3:28
  36. 36.Suite no. 6, S. 1012: VI. Gigue3:55
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Strauss: Don Quixote / Schoenberg: ConcertoStrauss: Don Quixote / Schoenberg: Concerto1985
  1. 1.Don Quixote, Op. 3545:12
  2. 2.Concerto for Cello & Orchestra: I. Allegro moderato6:21
  3. 3.Concerto for Cello & Orchestra: II. Andante, alla marcia5:25
  4. 4.Concerto for Cello & Orchestra: III. Tempo di Minuetto5:03
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Elgar: Cello Concerto, op. 85 / Walton: Cello ConcertoElgar: Cello Concerto, op. 85 / Walton: Cello Concerto1985
  1. 1.Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85: I. Adagio-Moderato / II. Lento-allegro molto12:25
  2. 2.Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85: III. Adagio4:55
  3. 3.Cello Concerto in E minor, op. 85: IV. Allegro11:37
  4. 4.Cello Concerto: I. Moderato8:44
  5. 5.Cello Concerto: II. Allegro appassionato6:21
  6. 6.Cello Concerto: III. Lento14:56
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Divertimento K.563 in E-flat majorDivertimento K.563 in E-flat major1985
  1. 1.Divertimento, K. 563 (E-flat major): I–Allegro12:45
  2. 2.Divertimento, K. 563 (E-flat major): II–Adagio13:19
  3. 3.Divertimento, K. 563 (E-flat major): III–Menuetto: Allegro, Trio4:51
  4. 4.Divertimento, K. 563 (E-flat major): IV–Andante7:32
  5. 5.Divertimento, K. 563 (E-flat major): V–Menuetto: Allegretto, Trio I, Trio II5:13
  6. 6.Divertimento, K. 563 (E-flat major): VI–Allegro6:12
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Quintet, op. 163, D. 956Quintet, op. 163, D. 9561985
  1. 1.String Quintet in C major, op. 163, D. 956: I. Allegro ma non troppo20:47
  2. 2.String Quintet in C major, op. 163, D. 956: II. Adagio13:47
  3. 3.String Quintet in C major, op. 163, D. 956: III. Scherzo: Presto - Trio: Andante sostenuto10:44
  4. 4.String Quintet in C major, op. 163, D. 956: IV. Allegretto9:05
Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
The Unaccompanied Cello Suites no. 1 & no. 2The Unaccompanied Cello Suites no. 1 & no. 21984

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
The Unaccompanied Cello Suites no. 3 & no. 6The Unaccompanied Cello Suites no. 3 & no. 61984

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
The Unaccompanied Cello Suites no. 4 & no. 5The Unaccompanied Cello Suites no. 4 & no. 51984

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Cello ConcertosCello Concertos1983

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Sonatas for Viola da Gamba & HarpsichordSonatas for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord1983

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Kreisler - PaganiniKreisler - Paganini1982

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2Sonatas Nos. 1 & 21982

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
The Piano QuartetsThe Piano Quartets1982

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Beethoven: Triple Concerto, Egmont, Coriolan, FidelioBeethoven: Triple Concerto, Egmont, Coriolan, Fidelio1980

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Other releases
Violin Concerto, op. 14 / Cello Concerto, op. 22 / Piano Concerto, op. 38Violin Concerto, op. 14 / Cello Concerto, op. 22 / Piano Concerto, op. 382001

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brioSymphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify
Tan DunTan Dun

Tracklist not collected yet.

Where to listen:Apple MusicYouTube MusicSpotify

Gallery

Label

Record label
Sony Classical
Record label
Columbia Records
Record label
RCA Records

Achievements

Award
National Medal of Arts
Award
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Award
Emmy Award
Award
Glenn Gould Prize
Award
Kennedy Center Honors
Award
Order "Danaker"
Award
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres‎
Award
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Award
honorary doctor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Award
Avery Fisher Prize
Award
Echo Klassik – Instrumentalist of the Year
Award
Library of Congress Living Legend
Award
Echo Klassik – Classical Music without Borders
Award
Léonie Sonning Music Prize
Award
Dan David Prize
Award
Great Immigrants Award
Award
Polar Music Prize
Award
Vilcek Prize
Award
doctor honoris causa from the Paris-Sorbonne University
Award
Time 100
Award
Praemium Imperiale
Award
Birgit Nilsson Prize

Similar artists

Archive

Passport
Country

FR

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
Born

1955-10-07

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
Instruments

cello, violin, piano, viola

▸ Source: WikidataUnverified
Identifiers & aliases

Also known as: Mǎ Yǒuyǒu, Yo Yo Ma, Yo-Yo Ma, YoYo Ma, Yoyoma, ヨーヨー マ

Disambiguation

cellist

▸ Source: MusicBrainzUnverified
ISNI

0000000109615907

▸ Source: WikidataUnverified
Description

American cellist (born 1955)

▸ Source: WikidataUnverified
Extract from Wikipedia

Yo-Yo Ma is an American cellist. Born to Chinese parents in Paris, he was regarded as a child prodigy, and began to study the cello with his father at age four. Ma moved with his family to Boston at age seven and later to New York City, where he continued his cello studies at the Juilliard School before pursuing a liberal arts education at Harvard University. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world, recorded more than 92 albums, and received 20 Grammy Awards.

▸ Source: Wikipedia
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Yo‐Yo Ma — Public People