Yo-Yo Ma Comes to Maine!
March 2, 2009I had a special treat last Thursday afternoon while attending the masterclass with Yo-Yo Ma at the Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Three young Maine cellists had the opportunity to work with Mr. Ma and about 300 members of the public in the audience. His warm smile and sense of humor invited all to participate. The man, as we all know, is a genius of a musician, but to see him work with students and draw in the audience, was pure magic! It was amazing to watch and listen to Mr. Ma teach and the students skills transform before my eyes.
Some of the highlights for me… On playing: ” music is so incredibly emotional, one can not just use one side of the brain.” It takes the entire brain to make music. On practicing: “you have the power to navigate your own course, you will find the buttons to push. Don’t make a sound unless you want to enjoy it. Move from “should” to “want to”. On nerves/stress: ” when I get nervous, I listen to the people around me and get their energy.” On learning: “what I love about music is that you never stop learning. Cultural literacy is so important. We can’t just look in through the window, we need to jump right in and learn.” When Mr. Ma was asked if he ever gets tired of playing the same music his response was: ” do you ever get tired of eating a hamburger? The ocean never gets boring, every time I look at it, it looks different. And every time I play a piece it sounds different.”
Yo-Yo Ma performed that evening to a sold out audience at the Merrill. Perhaps you were one of the lucky ones to attend that performance. If so, please give us your impressions. Both events were sponsored by PCA Great Performances. Thanks to the PCA staff who continue to bring outstanding music education opportunities to Maine. Read more at http://pcagreatperformances.org/
I did not get to see Yo-Yo Ma, but the next night at the Merrill was equally outstanding. “Sweeney Todd” may not be everyone’s tastes in Broadway musicals, but this presentation is amazing in it musicianship. Not only do all of the performers do an excellent job of acting and singing, but in this production they also all play instruments and do all of the accompaniment for each other on stage. No pit orchestra at all. They are on stage for practically the entire show. Many of them play multiple instruments and are amazingly integrated into their character. It was very good. And there was a UMaine alum in the lead part. Thank you to the PCA for this show as well!
Thank you Jim for your comment! Sounds like “Sweeney Todd” was a delight as well.
I attended the Yo-Yo Ma concert and was mesmerized not only by his playing but how he relates to his instrument. And the bare stage with just a chair…
no distractions. Simply beautiful!
What an opportunity for our youth!