I love Yo Yo Ma's interpretation and his playing is amazing...but...his face and movements are...absolutely hard to look at without cracking up...rofl...you know it's true.
I have to say i prefer Julian Lloyd Webber's interpretation. Ma plays this with the dry objectiveness with which one would play Bach or another baroque or classical composer's music; but Faure was a romantic composer this piece, more so than his others, requires a romantic, dramatic performance. I can't hear the tears in this interpretation. I recognize the tune, but i should be able to feel it. I'm also not a fan of the full orchestra. I like piano accompaniment, but that's just my preference.
Good playing as always, but I think Lloyd Webber and Jaqueline du Pre did a better job. Yo-Yo Ma's style is more modern (e.g. Shostakovich) rather than romantic. Undoubtedly a good cellist!
@YTM021807 I played everything almost identical to this even before i saw the video :D its exactly as I imagined it and... emotionally I was in the right stage... Elegie is death of love when his girlfriend broke up with him, you should post a short description of it, the beginning is the shock, then despair, anger, despair, silent memories, happy memories, anger/fury (climax), loss of energy with despair, remorse and memories, and ends with a fade out into thought, in that order
doing this for a competition in a couple weeks time 6:17 - 6:38 makes me want to throw myself off a building. I can do it but the accompaniment throws me off. and then i watch this and become even more depressed because he makes it look so easy
<3 Yo Yo Ma he is my idol
but this dang piece will be the end of me
i will watch this till my eyes bleed in the hope of absorbing even the tiniest bit of his awesomeness
@YeaItsMario I totally understand what you're going through with that part. Just remember the accompanist is the accompanist. I don't mean to downplay their role but that is their job (and quite difficult one at that!). Try not to think about the accompaniment and lose yourself in that part. Have Fury, Have PASSION! With that, you'll light the audience's soul aflame. Break a leg!
I played this in high school for a contest; I got a perfect score and the judge even said that my pianissimo was the most beautiful she's ever heard (even though I'm nowhere near as good as a god like Yo-Yo MA). I just remembered when playing this, I just didn't want it to end - milking every moment and enjoying every note - I hope my audiences felt the same way.
it's really not that difficult to play the notes... the hardest thing about this piece is portraying Faure's emtoin. at the time he was divorced from his wife... public humiliation... all that...
@moonlight98luv I agree,I feel like Julian put a lot of sadness and aggression into his playing which I find much more fitting to this piece. Yo Yo Ma kind of had a bit of a 'perk' to it which made it sound kinda of peppy at some parts. But either way,both players did amazing.
I really do enjoy the playing of Yo-yo ma. I truly wish Feuermann had a chance to play this. @aamish911 By all means you are entitled to your opinions. In the same way, we are entitled to criticize your entitled opinions. First, let me ask you this - in what way does sight disable your ability to enjoy music? All cellists have a face they make when they play. Watch DuPre play Allegro Appasionato. Does her violent movements and hair bobbing disturb your ears? In no way does sight impair hearing.
my favorite part is at 4:50! I love playing this part. the music is so nostalgic, and then it gets happier, and it's like there is a beacon of hope in the darkness of the song. It is played by one of the greatest masters of such a beautiful instrument!
This song on its own is a complete masterpiece. Having Yo Yo Ma play it is another masterpiece of its own. So basically this video is a masterpiece squared.
Hopefully, I'll be playing it as my senior solo for my cello teacher's senior recital before I go off to college. This song always touched my soul, and I love it so much! I hope I do half as well as this!
Love Yo- Yo Ma! Elegie is my favorite piece, especially with a piano. I too play the cello and love Yo- Yo Ma's interpretation- very original. Sounds AWESOME with an orchestra! You rock Mr. Ma!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When playing this piece, there are so many moments where you just want to push out the intensity in emotion out through the cello... The beauty is in holding back... Making that emotion grow inside, grow within what is not released... then releasing it all into the air waves.
Im actually playing this for solo and ensemble.. i think it sounds awesome but nothing compared to yo yo... if only i could have a multiple million dollar cello and about triple my years of experience lol
I'm probably going to get trashed by all the Yo-Yo Ma fans out there, but I really can't stand to watch him play cello. Music is about emotion, but it is extremely distracting when the man is moving his cello about so much and takes his facial expressions over the top. And is it just me, or does he hold his cello a bit...low? I am a cellist myself and it seems his cello is resting a bit low on his torso. o_O
Yo-Yo Ma has really good tone, but it's almost painful to watch him play.
@celloxlove Yo-Yo is getting into it when he moves his cello like that. I understand where you're coming from but the facial expressions and movements that Yo-Yo Ma is doing is coming from the emotion. And yes, he does hold his cello a bit low and tilted to the right.
@BrokenConnections Yeah, I understand it is from the emotion, but I find it to be a little bit over the top. He's amazing when it comes to sound, but I don't like watching him play because of how he gets too into it. I know cellists now who try to imitate Yo-Yo's playing (with "emotion") and believe me, it is not pretty.
just like to put that out there. and that is being open minded, i didnt just agree with one side completely, yet im 15! anyways, great video! i couldnt find any other recordings, and ive used this many times for practice!
also, i have yet to see yoyo ma perform without smiling!!! its what he does! because he enjoys playing SO MUCH! and because he's just a happy guy! he loves music, and it makes him happy! so, while i disagree with the critique from aamish911, i also disagree with the comment on age, and being "prone to 'wild' analysis". age doesnt neccesarily have to do with being "single minded" or "drastic", nor maturity.
first of all, the feeling of dispair and pain beyond imagination shouldnt be coming from his face, but from the MUSIC!! and even if all you may pay attention to is his face (which presents a lac of maturity and appreciation for expression and musicality!) he has an extremely sensitive look on his face throughout the molto adagio! and that is supposed to be the most painful part! the sempre molt. adag. is supposed to be the discovery of a bit of hope, and then it is lost again!
Man, you should be criticising his performance, not his face. If he has some sort of twitch when he plays, he cant help that and you shouldn't be picking him up on that. Plus, i'd like to see you play this piece without emotion.
Wait, what??? Im saying that how his face looks shouldnt matter!!! I think this is an amazing performance! and no, you wouldnt like to see me play this piece without emotion, because its supposed to be emotional!!! Maybe you should try to interpret what i meant before criticising me!!!! wth!?
You are being too severe! Unjustly and wrongly severe. "smiling" can be wrongly interpreted. For example, it is a natural (natural primate behaviour) expression when dealing with a sudden problem. In a famous video by Toscanini, the maestro "smiles" looking at a musician who has done something "terrible" or wrong.
that is COMPLETELY different. i have had many conductors who smile when you do something wrong because you made a mistake and their carefree spirirt tells you politely to change it. In faure's elegie, the grief is unimaginable, and smiling, represents a light, carefree spirit. this piece is not about that at all. yo yo ma got this song all wrong. J. Du pre is the best example of conveying accurate emotions
What a terrible critique of this performance...how about directly referencing what it is about the performance you don't like, rather than talking about how he looks while he plays? If the only indication you have that he isn't grasping the "spirit" of this piece is the look on his face, you need to reevaluate how you judge music-making....
I am referencing what i don't like about it. i personally think that if you are smiling once during this piece, your emotional interpretation has just flown out the window. i agree with Lalala417 that his tangos are good, but this piece does not suit his abilities orAT LEAST I DO NOT ENJOY HIS INTERPRETATION> Also, he begins the piece like he is playing Dvorak's cello concerto, his vibrato gives me a headache, and the swelling and overall use of his bow is distracting (both to the eyes and ear)
everyone is taking what i said way too seriously. i am entitled to my opinion, am i not? if i believe his smiling takes away from the performance, that is my opinion and should not be labeled single minded or childish because of it. music is not just a aural art, it is visual too, and if i'm not pleased by the visual aspect thani detracts form the performance
your right i don't stare, but when they smile in a piece entitle "elegie" that bothers me. no i am not upset with the motions of Jacqueline du pre because she does not convey anemotion that is not in the music. yes, berstein does bother me
@YTM021807 I agree with Aamish911, this man is obviously not a great player, you know why? because his left testical which isnt in alignment with the right detracts from the fcking performance.:]
Opinions stated in public, I am sorry to inform you, invite scrutiny. "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!"
On that note: just because it is an 'Elegie' does not mean it has no moments of levity (indeed, of ecstasy!). This piece follows the classic A-B-A form; contrast is _expected_ in the B section. And though I didn't know the late Maestro Comissiona, do you think he would have begrudged Yo-Yo Ma cracking a smile at his memory or even just a beautiful melody? Unlikely.
@aamish911 no thats wrong, orchestral performances are not meant to be a visual performance, if they were the musicians would not be wearing such plain colors. im a musician too and we play wearing solid black always so we dont distract from the music.. im just clarifying, i dont care if you didnt like him smiling
why then are soloists entitled to wear bright vibrant colors? and if performances are not meant to be visual, why do people attend live concerts, when they could easily just listen to the pice on an i pod. music is very much visual; it should be both beautiful to the eye and ear
"I think the Piatgorsky version is much better" is ok, that's all opinion, which I have nothing to say about. However, flatly stating out that he's better is so not true. In my opinion, Yo-Yo Ma is far better.
personally, although both are good, i actually like Julian Lloyd Webber's rendition much better. to me, yo yo ma is just a bit, showy-er. and yes i know it's just a playing style, but for me Julian Lloyd Webber was much more moving and there was more feeling without all the movements. then again, it's just an opinion :}
no...i'm pretty sure something is up because he suddenly leans forward and his facial expression changes. plus i've played this piece before and you don't need a break in the music to move your bow to clarify phrasing...
i like this perfromance, as well as the one by j.l. webber. although, one has to consider, yo yo ma in in a huge concert hall and has an orchestra with him, so the acoustics are going to sound different. j.l. webber had only a piano and was playing in a considerably smaller venue. they are both using stradivaruis cellos, but everything made by him is special in its own way. maybe the tome of webbers is suited for that kind of piece
do you know it or are you just guessing, cause I´m pretty sure that´s his montagnana petunia. It´s a little bit bigger, has a clearer tone and sounds good in the lower register. But I´m not 100 percent sure
sorry for answering so fast, but if you look at the youtube video:"This old cello" Yo-yo Ma shows his stradivarius and it does not look like his cello on elegie, it has a lot thinner body. So I´m pretty sure it´s his "Petunia" Montagnana cello :)
The magic of Casals is ever present in the Casals Festival. It is like a holy place or "Mecca". Yo Yo Ma, Piatigorsky, Du Pre, Menuhin, Leonard Rose, Jean Pierre Rampal, for example, have made a "pilgrimage" at least once in their lifetime.
in the score the second quarter note of that phrase is marked with an accent. he didn't skip a beat, he moved his bow to a more strategic place for the articulation he wanted. I think his phrasing is pretty obvious.
hmm i noticed at the very end (the last note) he plucks the string as he changes bow on the open c. i am interested to know why this would sound good. if yo-yo ma is doing it im guessing there is a reason
I believe its to keep the C sounding at a consistent flow. By plucking it continues the string going so the change of bow doesn't effect the sound too much.
Often times cellists and bassists will pluck the string at the same time they start bowing in order to help the string respond quickly. In such a sensitive spot toward the end of the piece, the last thing Yo Yo Ma would need is for his C string to not respond lol.
Every recording or video I find of this piece, the tempo of the middle section always varies. Nina Kotova's version is ungodly fast. It is easier to hear all of the notes in Ma's rendition. His tempo is more reasonable for me. xD
I remember perfectly this concert during the Festival Casals. It was broadcasted live and I recorded it completly, not only the Faure's Elegie performance but also the Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor performance. In my opinion, that was one of the best performances by Yo-Yo Ma. Unfortunately I haven't been able to upload it.Thanks for upload this video.
Of course it depends on strad, but I tried this cello years ago and indeed it blew me away. It has an extremely open sound throughout the register, even up high on the lower strings. This is some of the most expressive playing I've heard from Yo-Yo...more powerful than I remember his playing in the recording of this piece that he did with Ax on piano.
I heard Yo Yo Ma do this on 9/11 in Colorado Springs where I was going to college. Only time I ever cried during a concert. Oí que Yo Yo Ma hace esto en 9/11 en Colorado Springs, CO donde iba al colegio. Sólo tiempo que lloré jamás durante un concierto.
Yo-YoMa es extraordinario, no importa con que instrumento toque le suena perfecto, el estuvo en Colombia y aca no trajo su Stradivarius, trajo un instrumento nuevo muy bueno y de pronto, el no siempre lleva su Stradivarius a las giras, especialmente por estos paises donde hay mucha inseguridad, pero el es perfecto, yo soy una de sus fans!!!
I love how he leans back in the chair while playing.
Probably thinking, "I Got This -_-"
josPerkins101 3 days ago
I am learning this piece.
It is so fun and yet deeply saddening.
josPerkins101 3 days ago
Dear yo yo ma, what is the tutorial for your Cheat Engine? Sincerely, the rest of the world.
FlyinEagle99 4 days ago
I love Yo Yo Ma's interpretation and his playing is amazing...but...his face and movements are...absolutely hard to look at without cracking up...rofl...you know it's true.
MontblancChan 3 weeks ago
it's incredible enough to play that well, but he still has to make it look thoroughly effortless...
ADDmunky 1 month ago
I'll comment when I pick my jaw off the ground. How do you do that?!
Gabby6724 1 month ago
and THAT is why i love to play the cello
TheDancer424 1 month ago 3
I have to play this piece soon. I am thoroughly intimidated. Yo-Yo Ma, you never cease to astound me.
calicello1mormongirl 1 month ago
@calicello1mormongirl Dont try to compete! Astound yes!! imitate or intimidate !!No!!
YTM021807 1 month ago
Envie de pleurer snif snif
colleothebest 3 months ago
@colleothebest Tres bien
YTM021807 3 months ago
Oui, c'est vrais.
Cellostar47 2 months ago
His vibrato is just so perfect.
JonRobert 5 months ago
I have to say i prefer Julian Lloyd Webber's interpretation. Ma plays this with the dry objectiveness with which one would play Bach or another baroque or classical composer's music; but Faure was a romantic composer this piece, more so than his others, requires a romantic, dramatic performance. I can't hear the tears in this interpretation. I recognize the tune, but i should be able to feel it. I'm also not a fan of the full orchestra. I like piano accompaniment, but that's just my preference.
LordAroyeum 6 months ago
Good playing as always, but I think Lloyd Webber and Jaqueline du Pre did a better job. Yo-Yo Ma's style is more modern (e.g. Shostakovich) rather than romantic. Undoubtedly a good cellist!
Lybelle2011 6 months ago
Comment removed
Puntervoll 7 months ago
Me too. Love this piece. It's fast, and slow. It's for everyone!
Cellostar47 2 months ago
the best playing out of all
martinshung1 7 months ago 5
@martinshung1 True! I was fortunate to capture the broadcast live!
YTM021807 1 month ago
@YTM021807 I played everything almost identical to this even before i saw the video :D its exactly as I imagined it and... emotionally I was in the right stage... Elegie is death of love when his girlfriend broke up with him, you should post a short description of it, the beginning is the shock, then despair, anger, despair, silent memories, happy memories, anger/fury (climax), loss of energy with despair, remorse and memories, and ends with a fade out into thought, in that order
okbutjpw 1 month ago
doing this for a competition in a couple weeks time 6:17 - 6:38 makes me want to throw myself off a building. I can do it but the accompaniment throws me off. and then i watch this and become even more depressed because he makes it look so easy
<3 Yo Yo Ma he is my idol
but this dang piece will be the end of me
i will watch this till my eyes bleed in the hope of absorbing even the tiniest bit of his awesomeness
YeaItsMario 9 months ago in playlist elegie faure
@YeaItsMario I totally understand what you're going through with that part. Just remember the accompanist is the accompanist. I don't mean to downplay their role but that is their job (and quite difficult one at that!). Try not to think about the accompaniment and lose yourself in that part. Have Fury, Have PASSION! With that, you'll light the audience's soul aflame. Break a leg!
ryim2009 9 months ago
I played this in high school for a contest; I got a perfect score and the judge even said that my pianissimo was the most beautiful she's ever heard (even though I'm nowhere near as good as a god like Yo-Yo MA). I just remembered when playing this, I just didn't want it to end - milking every moment and enjoying every note - I hope my audiences felt the same way.
ryim2009 9 months ago
Vibrato-Orgie
surimugg 10 months ago
I have added at least 100 views to this video.
sergbastian5 11 months ago 4
I love how his fingers so easily scale the fingerboard, and yet they're still so strategic in hitting each note perfectly. :)
Why do you care what his facial expressions are showing?
What matters is the fact that he can carry across the beauty of the music and the pain behind it without need them! So what if he smiles!?
The music he's playing paints an entirely different picture.
17spanishbabe 11 months ago 6
maybe his poor interpretations would get better if he would stop smiling at every1 just for a minute...
Philboy50 11 months ago
this work with notes so grim thrills me is beautiful
videosflopi 1 year ago
it's really not that difficult to play the notes... the hardest thing about this piece is portraying Faure's emtoin. at the time he was divorced from his wife... public humiliation... all that...
boneafide12 1 year ago
he has surprisingly long fingers for an asian
bomb9er4 1 year ago
@bomb9er4 a lot of asians have long fingers, i do.
314stargazer 1 year ago
he plays this too well, its not even fair
YouAreOnABoat 1 year ago 33
@YouAreOnABoat Not fair for the competition, ha ha Good comment!
YTM021807 1 year ago 2
@YouAreOnABoat I actually prefer JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER's performance more... don[t get me wrong, yym's good, but Julian Lloyd takes the cake! :)
moonlight98luv 3 months ago
@moonlight98luv I agree,I feel like Julian put a lot of sadness and aggression into his playing which I find much more fitting to this piece. Yo Yo Ma kind of had a bit of a 'perk' to it which made it sound kinda of peppy at some parts. But either way,both players did amazing.
MontblancChan 3 weeks ago
Quelle intensité et profondeur dans son jeu...extraordinaire!
Kiarinadia 1 year ago 2
Cuándo fué este concierto?
LiuGondor 1 year ago
@LiuGondor Creo que en el 2008 principios del Festival Casals en PR
DiegoMa13 11 months ago
What did this song do? It changed my life.
mushuplus 1 year ago 3
Comment removed
usamaki10 1 year ago
thanks for sharing!
heejun00 1 year ago
i havent seen yo yo ma more passionate than at 6:16
CelloMan3196 1 year ago
I really do enjoy the playing of Yo-yo ma. I truly wish Feuermann had a chance to play this. @aamish911 By all means you are entitled to your opinions. In the same way, we are entitled to criticize your entitled opinions. First, let me ask you this - in what way does sight disable your ability to enjoy music? All cellists have a face they make when they play. Watch DuPre play Allegro Appasionato. Does her violent movements and hair bobbing disturb your ears? In no way does sight impair hearing.
trackguy1 1 year ago
que bueno q yo yo se acerke por america
sararonald 1 year ago
my favorite part is at 4:50! I love playing this part. the music is so nostalgic, and then it gets happier, and it's like there is a beacon of hope in the darkness of the song. It is played by one of the greatest masters of such a beautiful instrument!
cellocrazy1994 1 year ago 3
Yo-Yo Ma is the bomb.
phi223 1 year ago
Mon Dieu, comme c'est beau !
Zofzoeif 1 year ago 3
que belleza de obra y YOYOMA es un maestro
zuzanazuzanita 1 year ago 4
este consierto esta brutal a ver sime animo y monto esta piesa
kelvin1ful 1 year ago 2
This piece was written by Fauré after the death of his friend
Yo yo ma's playing is amazing! you guys should really go and listen to him in person
He is the definition of perfection
brianbrian10 1 year ago 3
soooooo good.
cellomusicdunce 1 year ago 5
6:18
phillipg1999 1 year ago
i love 6:17. yeah i play this song. It's great. have fun!
phillipg1999 1 year ago
This song on its own is a complete masterpiece. Having Yo Yo Ma play it is another masterpiece of its own. So basically this video is a masterpiece squared.
Hopefully, I'll be playing it as my senior solo for my cello teacher's senior recital before I go off to college. This song always touched my soul, and I love it so much! I hope I do half as well as this!
aseretkavon 1 year ago
Love Yo- Yo Ma! Elegie is my favorite piece, especially with a piano. I too play the cello and love Yo- Yo Ma's interpretation- very original. Sounds AWESOME with an orchestra! You rock Mr. Ma!!!!!!!!!!!!!
citrixcookbook 1 year ago
When playing this piece, there are so many moments where you just want to push out the intensity in emotion out through the cello... The beauty is in holding back... Making that emotion grow inside, grow within what is not released... then releasing it all into the air waves.
One of my favourite pieces to play and listen to.
PieJesuG 1 year ago 3
LOL! He like stood up in the middle of the piece! I love him!
Budodo2 1 year ago 3
what's with the talking at 8:55 ?
scarletovergods 1 year ago
As I have said, the voice is of the famous international preacher (from Puerto Rico): YIYE AVILA
YTM021807 1 year ago
wow this is one of the best performances of this i've heard!
if you haven't, listen to anne gastinels performance of this. also another favorite performance.
k73f 1 year ago
@AdvocateToTheAccuser Your right, I agree
platypusfredrik 2 years ago
wow elegie as a concerto, very beautiful
cyberk25 2 years ago
Im actually playing this for solo and ensemble.. i think it sounds awesome but nothing compared to yo yo... if only i could have a multiple million dollar cello and about triple my years of experience lol
BeastinSanta 2 years ago
very very nice!
RobinWJansen 2 years ago
AWESOMEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for REALLL!!!!! he really show emotional momments thxs yo yo ma!!!:)
xXXxMusic4uxXXx 2 years ago
ohhh I love this song, I played this song many years ago, but not like Yo Yo Ma, he is amazing!
greeneyesmadness 2 years ago
I'm probably going to get trashed by all the Yo-Yo Ma fans out there, but I really can't stand to watch him play cello. Music is about emotion, but it is extremely distracting when the man is moving his cello about so much and takes his facial expressions over the top. And is it just me, or does he hold his cello a bit...low? I am a cellist myself and it seems his cello is resting a bit low on his torso. o_O
Yo-Yo Ma has really good tone, but it's almost painful to watch him play.
celloxlove 2 years ago
@celloxlove Yo-Yo is getting into it when he moves his cello like that. I understand where you're coming from but the facial expressions and movements that Yo-Yo Ma is doing is coming from the emotion. And yes, he does hold his cello a bit low and tilted to the right.
BrokenConnections 2 years ago
@BrokenConnections Yeah, I understand it is from the emotion, but I find it to be a little bit over the top. He's amazing when it comes to sound, but I don't like watching him play because of how he gets too into it. I know cellists now who try to imitate Yo-Yo's playing (with "emotion") and believe me, it is not pretty.
celloxlove 2 years ago
@celloxlove It does look a bit funny, but if it works for him, it works for him.
AdvocateToTheAccuser 2 years ago
just like to put that out there. and that is being open minded, i didnt just agree with one side completely, yet im 15! anyways, great video! i couldnt find any other recordings, and ive used this many times for practice!
xkrandallx 2 years ago
Yes! Be happy, agreeable, open minded, courteous, etc....
YTM021807 2 years ago
also, i have yet to see yoyo ma perform without smiling!!! its what he does! because he enjoys playing SO MUCH! and because he's just a happy guy! he loves music, and it makes him happy! so, while i disagree with the critique from aamish911, i also disagree with the comment on age, and being "prone to 'wild' analysis". age doesnt neccesarily have to do with being "single minded" or "drastic", nor maturity.
xkrandallx 2 years ago 5
Correct !!
He enjoys so much, is happy, is a super virtuoso. This means that he is free to "look around", "be relaxed" etc.
YTM021807 2 years ago
first of all, the feeling of dispair and pain beyond imagination shouldnt be coming from his face, but from the MUSIC!! and even if all you may pay attention to is his face (which presents a lac of maturity and appreciation for expression and musicality!) he has an extremely sensitive look on his face throughout the molto adagio! and that is supposed to be the most painful part! the sempre molt. adag. is supposed to be the discovery of a bit of hope, and then it is lost again!
xkrandallx 2 years ago
Man, you should be criticising his performance, not his face. If he has some sort of twitch when he plays, he cant help that and you shouldn't be picking him up on that. Plus, i'd like to see you play this piece without emotion.
JezzasCT 2 years ago
Wait, what??? Im saying that how his face looks shouldnt matter!!! I think this is an amazing performance! and no, you wouldnt like to see me play this piece without emotion, because its supposed to be emotional!!! Maybe you should try to interpret what i meant before criticising me!!!! wth!?
xkrandallx 2 years ago
JezzasCT was correct.
xkrandallx was "wild" in his commentaries.
** Maybe you should try to write in such a manner so that others dont have to interpret you **
YTM021807 2 years ago
I Disagree 100%
You are being too severe! Unjustly and wrongly severe. "smiling" can be wrongly interpreted. For example, it is a natural (natural primate behaviour) expression when dealing with a sudden problem. In a famous video by Toscanini, the maestro "smiles" looking at a musician who has done something "terrible" or wrong.
YTM021807 2 years ago
that is COMPLETELY different. i have had many conductors who smile when you do something wrong because you made a mistake and their carefree spirirt tells you politely to change it. In faure's elegie, the grief is unimaginable, and smiling, represents a light, carefree spirit. this piece is not about that at all. yo yo ma got this song all wrong. J. Du pre is the best example of conveying accurate emotions
aamish911 2 years ago
Please give the moment (in minute and seconds) ...
YTM021807 2 years ago
What a terrible critique of this performance...how about directly referencing what it is about the performance you don't like, rather than talking about how he looks while he plays? If the only indication you have that he isn't grasping the "spirit" of this piece is the look on his face, you need to reevaluate how you judge music-making....
MeterNYC 2 years ago 3
I am referencing what i don't like about it. i personally think that if you are smiling once during this piece, your emotional interpretation has just flown out the window. i agree with Lalala417 that his tangos are good, but this piece does not suit his abilities orAT LEAST I DO NOT ENJOY HIS INTERPRETATION> Also, he begins the piece like he is playing Dvorak's cello concerto, his vibrato gives me a headache, and the swelling and overall use of his bow is distracting (both to the eyes and ear)
aamish911 2 years ago
At your age ( 16 ) you are prone to "wild" analysis. You have to mature! Dont be so single minded or drastic!
And you dont have to SHOUT lol
YTM021807 2 years ago
@aamish911 Making a mistake and enjoying the music are two different things.
BrokenConnections 2 years ago
everyone is taking what i said way too seriously. i am entitled to my opinion, am i not? if i believe his smiling takes away from the performance, that is my opinion and should not be labeled single minded or childish because of it. music is not just a aural art, it is visual too, and if i'm not pleased by the visual aspect thani detracts form the performance
aamish911 2 years ago
The artist should be as relaxed as possible. Dont look then. Just listen.
When you are in a Concert hall you dont stare at the musician to see if he/she is smiling. Are you upset at the motions or hair of Jacqueline DuPre?
At the gestures of Leonard Bernstein?
YTM021807 2 years ago 6
your right i don't stare, but when they smile in a piece entitle "elegie" that bothers me. no i am not upset with the motions of Jacqueline du pre because she does not convey anemotion that is not in the music. yes, berstein does bother me
aamish911 2 years ago
@YTM021807 I agree with Aamish911, this man is obviously not a great player, you know why? because his left testical which isnt in alignment with the right detracts from the fcking performance.:]
Dont even get me started on his nipples
Cello123456 1 year ago
Opinions stated in public, I am sorry to inform you, invite scrutiny. "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen!"
On that note: just because it is an 'Elegie' does not mean it has no moments of levity (indeed, of ecstasy!). This piece follows the classic A-B-A form; contrast is _expected_ in the B section. And though I didn't know the late Maestro Comissiona, do you think he would have begrudged Yo-Yo Ma cracking a smile at his memory or even just a beautiful melody? Unlikely.
violinista53 2 years ago 22
@aamish911 no thats wrong, orchestral performances are not meant to be a visual performance, if they were the musicians would not be wearing such plain colors. im a musician too and we play wearing solid black always so we dont distract from the music.. im just clarifying, i dont care if you didnt like him smiling
iscan000 1 year ago
why then are soloists entitled to wear bright vibrant colors? and if performances are not meant to be visual, why do people attend live concerts, when they could easily just listen to the pice on an i pod. music is very much visual; it should be both beautiful to the eye and ear
aamish911 1 year ago
Symphony Concertant for cello - Prokofiev (rostropovich)
Concert for violoncello in D Major - Haydn (rostropovich)
6 Suites for Cello - J.S.Bach (Misha Maysky)
Those r the bible for the cello for me..
billprokofiev 2 years ago
wot about elgar's concerto????
PlayTheCold 2 years ago
Dvorak Cello Concerto (Yo Yo Ma)
Brahms Double Concerto
YTM021807 2 years ago
Ok. I am a complete novice to this music. I am moved greatly by this cello music. Can anyone recommend any other pieces? Thank you in advance.
John
m52spy 2 years ago
Kodaly solo cello sonata
Tchaikovskys rococo variations
Shostakovich cello concerto
Schumann cello concerto
Jooseef95 2 years ago
What about Kol nidrei or allegro appassionato?
JezzasCT 2 years ago
I'm playing this piece in an audition and I'm using this video to get it in my head! I hope I get in Symphony CKYO!
DrQuarterPounder 2 years ago
good luck, this is a beautiful piece!!
fercha90s 2 years ago
Keep informing us on your progress! Best wishes!!
YTM021807 2 years ago
why does yo-yo ma slap his hand on the c string on the very last note of the piece? I'm hoping to perform this piece and I'm very curious!
SoKiSisters 2 years ago
That's because he wants to be sure that the string will attach.
written by a dutchman
pinrootje 2 years ago
Probably to hear the note before he plays it in order to get it in tune...
jettviolin 2 years ago
i flippin love this piece! totally gonna play it!
pixieperfect93 2 years ago 3
waaa6:18 it was like a metal solo xD
I love this élégie
chabelo182 2 years ago
how about we just say that they're ALL great renditions and just appreciate the beauty and passion in each?
pokerface127 2 years ago
Not All are great renditions!
There are various degrees of greatness in the great renditions.
YTM021807 2 years ago
The Piatigorsky version is much better.
2ndviolinist 2 years ago
No way!
As I said in a previous note, Piatigorsky sounds "cold and detached" !
YTM021807 2 years ago
...
You're kidding, right? Have you *heard* the Piatigorsky?!
I think it's the most heartrending reading of the Elegie on YouTube. Truly a great performance.
OzzyKingofKings 2 years ago
No, no,
"I think the Piatgorsky version is much better" is ok, that's all opinion, which I have nothing to say about. However, flatly stating out that he's better is so not true. In my opinion, Yo-Yo Ma is far better.
TXOrchDork 2 years ago
personally, although both are good, i actually like Julian Lloyd Webber's rendition much better. to me, yo yo ma is just a bit, showy-er. and yes i know it's just a playing style, but for me Julian Lloyd Webber was much more moving and there was more feeling without all the movements. then again, it's just an opinion :}
blackjellybeans8 2 years ago
no...i'm pretty sure something is up because he suddenly leans forward and his facial expression changes. plus i've played this piece before and you don't need a break in the music to move your bow to clarify phrasing...
other than that it was really good...
twilightflame91 2 years ago
i like this perfromance, as well as the one by j.l. webber. although, one has to consider, yo yo ma in in a huge concert hall and has an orchestra with him, so the acoustics are going to sound different. j.l. webber had only a piano and was playing in a considerably smaller venue. they are both using stradivaruis cellos, but everything made by him is special in its own way. maybe the tome of webbers is suited for that kind of piece
pokerface127 2 years ago
Great performance! Yo Yo Ma is giving Du Pré's cello a good use ^^
Ecapa1 2 years ago
but I think he uses his Montagnana here, or maybe i´m wrong?
cellogeek95 2 years ago
I dunno, hehe.
Ecapa1 2 years ago
it's his strad
violencelover89 2 years ago 3
do you know it or are you just guessing, cause I´m pretty sure that´s his montagnana petunia. It´s a little bit bigger, has a clearer tone and sounds good in the lower register. But I´m not 100 percent sure
cellogeek95 2 years ago
I think its his strad because i have a scott cao copy of the davidov cello and its the exact same color
violencelover89 2 years ago 3
well if you say so, you´re probably right :)
cellogeek95 2 years ago
sorry for answering so fast, but if you look at the youtube video:"This old cello" Yo-yo Ma shows his stradivarius and it does not look like his cello on elegie, it has a lot thinner body. So I´m pretty sure it´s his "Petunia" Montagnana cello :)
cellogeek95 2 years ago
ahhh excellent point i think it is his montagnana
violencelover89 2 years ago
from where does he get all these feelings ! God
Naseem410 2 years ago 4
The magic of Casals is ever present in the Casals Festival. It is like a holy place or "Mecca". Yo Yo Ma, Piatigorsky, Du Pre, Menuhin, Leonard Rose, Jean Pierre Rampal, for example, have made a "pilgrimage" at least once in their lifetime.
YTM021807 2 years ago
this is great, but I like the cello/piano version better; it's more personal.
abbyTru 2 years ago
I agree with you on that. The interesting thing is that Faure originally wrote the piece for cello and orchestra.
jamanticus 2 years ago 3
in the score the second quarter note of that phrase is marked with an accent. he didn't skip a beat, he moved his bow to a more strategic place for the articulation he wanted. I think his phrasing is pretty obvious.
bubinhead 3 years ago
Yo Yo Ma is truly a genius he played this beautifully
sasusaku771 3 years ago 36
6:40 and for the next minute or so is perhaps the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.
waxojacko 3 years ago 5
Congratulations!
You pin point exactly the most intense, beautiful segment, 6:40 is certainly sublime and hair rising!!
YTM021807 3 years ago
AMAZING!!
cellist93 3 years ago 4
Hypnotizing
Batman001 3 years ago
Soo breathtakingly beautiful.
ninjasyndrome 3 years ago 2
que increible, me emociona hasta las lágrimas.
nada más que decir, sólo queda escuchar.
SantaMariaBurdel 3 years ago 3
hmm i noticed at the very end (the last note) he plucks the string as he changes bow on the open c. i am interested to know why this would sound good. if yo-yo ma is doing it im guessing there is a reason
thejfactors 3 years ago
Please indicate the exact place (minute and seconds [m:ss]
YTM021807 3 years ago
8:44
thejfactors 3 years ago
I believe its to keep the C sounding at a consistent flow. By plucking it continues the string going so the change of bow doesn't effect the sound too much.
jjaacckk111 3 years ago 4
It's just to help the string start speaking (vibrating) when the bow changes direction...
bensini 3 years ago
Often times cellists and bassists will pluck the string at the same time they start bowing in order to help the string respond quickly. In such a sensitive spot toward the end of the piece, the last thing Yo Yo Ma would need is for his C string to not respond lol.
AbsoluteZ3R0 3 years ago 2
wow that was so subtle, I wouldn't have caught that on my own. You learn something new every day.
jackfckntwist 3 years ago 4
A beautiful interpretation.Especially played on the Davidov cello.Bravo!
musikgirl1 3 years ago 2
Yes, grief!
Thx.
jinshui56 3 years ago 2
Every recording or video I find of this piece, the tempo of the middle section always varies. Nina Kotova's version is ungodly fast. It is easier to hear all of the notes in Ma's rendition. His tempo is more reasonable for me. xD
FeyAlbino 3 years ago 2
The tempo of Ma is just right. I agree with you. By comparison Piatigorsky sounds cold and detached.
Yo Yo Ma creates the proper "grief"!!
YTM021807 3 years ago
Yes, I agree with you on both points. The grief is profound. I hope to achieve it with my own performance someday.
FeyAlbino 3 years ago 4
The level of expression of his playing is just unbeatable
avalerlevent 3 years ago 2
I remember perfectly this concert during the Festival Casals. It was broadcasted live and I recorded it completly, not only the Faure's Elegie performance but also the Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor performance. In my opinion, that was one of the best performances by Yo-Yo Ma. Unfortunately I haven't been able to upload it.Thanks for upload this video.
tropigrapher 3 years ago
thanks for the annotations, they really helped
and this is one of the best, ever for me.
idrinkink 3 years ago
So emotional :)
I love his cello so much, it's got such a beautiful sound.
lfamilytube 3 years ago
Yep- he's using his Montagnana cello "Petunia", which some say is better than a Strad...
But I suppose that's a matter of opinion!
jamanticus 3 years ago 6
Of course it depends on strad, but I tried this cello years ago and indeed it blew me away. It has an extremely open sound throughout the register, even up high on the lower strings. This is some of the most expressive playing I've heard from Yo-Yo...more powerful than I remember his playing in the recording of this piece that he did with Ax on piano.
bachstabber 3 years ago
Yo Yo Ma uses fingerings that make sense! He sounds so beautiful.
cellodude1 3 years ago 4
Thanks for uploading this! What an amazing piece and performance!
FuzzyDuck 3 years ago
Thanks! Initially I was not going to upload it (because of the noise at the end etc...) but because this is such a moving performance here is it!
YTM021807 3 years ago
awesome
dialectictog 3 years ago
I heard Yo Yo Ma do this on 9/11 in Colorado Springs where I was going to college. Only time I ever cried during a concert. Oí que Yo Yo Ma hace esto en 9/11 en Colorado Springs, CO donde iba al colegio. Sólo tiempo que lloré jamás durante un concierto.
jrino1979 3 years ago
when was this? I live in the area
mushuplus 3 years ago
About 2 weeks after Sergiu Commissiona died.
Commissiona was supposed to have been the Conductor. The date is around March 20, 2005
YTM021807 3 years ago
magnífica obra, magnífico cellista, buena orquesta, que mas se puede pedir.
gonguin57 3 years ago 3
What can you say? So, so wonderful, so moving.
postmodernhousewife 3 years ago 2
awesome
historybook666 3 years ago 2
Excellent playing! Yo-Yo-Ma throws his cello all over the place!
mushuplus 3 years ago 2
Wonderful Playing.
cellodude1 3 years ago 4
THIS IS SO INTENSE>
dxhaloxc 3 years ago 4
Es que simplemente esta interpretacion de Yo-YoMa me ha insapirado...
colgaoman 3 years ago 3
Yo-YoMa es extraordinario, no importa con que instrumento toque le suena perfecto, el estuvo en Colombia y aca no trajo su Stradivarius, trajo un instrumento nuevo muy bueno y de pronto, el no siempre lleva su Stradivarius a las giras, especialmente por estos paises donde hay mucha inseguridad, pero el es perfecto, yo soy una de sus fans!!!
Natalejo 3 years ago 3
I like the soccer commentary or whatever it is in the background! Especially at the end, it's kind of funny. Great performance! Go Yo-Yo!
bpted 3 years ago 4