- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Margo Kline: Yo-Yo Ma Captivates in Granada Recital
Master cellist Yo-Yo Ma captivated a full house at The Granada on Monday night, playing three unaccompanied suites by J.S. Bach that lifted the performance into the realm of the spiritual.
All of The Granada’s 1,553 seats were filled, to the point that ushers had to stand on the sidelines to take in the performance. There are usually empty seats here and there for the ushers, but not on this night.
The last time Ma played in Santa Barbara, it was in UCSB’s Campbell Hall. That performance also was before a full house, and when audience members left at its conclusion, many were wiping away tears of emotion.
Acknowledged as the premier cellist of his era, Ma is impeccable in his musicianship, and also in his choice of works to play and his efforts to pass on his peerless gifts. He planned a free master class at the Lobero Theatre on the morning after this recital, so students and other music lovers could share in his gifts even if they couldn’t see The Granada performance.
This spiritual aspect of Ma is fully compatible with Bach, all of whose works were influenced by the Lutheran liturgy. Aside from his spirituality, Ma is also modest and calm in his demeanor, and on Monday night, he dealt with an unruly end pin on his cello by adjusting it casually while smiling at the audience.
The first selection was the Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008, opening with a prelude followed by dance music of the time: allemande, courante, sarabande, minuet and gigue. The program notes described how Bach’s second wife, Anna Magdalena, made skillful copies of all of those suites for use by the musicians who played them.
Next up was the Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009, its prelude deeper and more profound than the previous work. All of the ensuing dance movements were gracious, ending with a gigue that was nothing less than majestic.
After a brief intermission, Ma returned to play the Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012, the last of Bach’s six cello suites. Its style is somewhat looser, perhaps less formalistic. Needless to say, Ma played it exquisitely.
When the cellist took his curtain call, the audience stood and roared. A bouquet of red roses was handed to Ma, and he began pulling individual blossoms from it to give to people in the first row. He then lofted the remainder of the bouquet into the center of the orchestra section.
After more applause and cheers, Ma returned for a brief encore, a haunting selection from his Silk Road repertoire.
A vote of thanks goes to UCSB Arts & Lectures for bringing this great artist to the community. How often does a solo musician fill a large theater and enchant everyone with rarified music from the 16th century? And then spend the next day conducting a master class for any and all who care to attend?
Of course, this gratitude extends first to Yo-Yo Ma, for being a first-class artist and human being.
— Margo Kline covers the arts as a Noozhawk contributor.
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 12.09.09 @ 03:48 AM
Does anyone know the title of the encore piece please?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 12.09.09 @ 01:58 PM
I, too, was trying to figure out what the encore piece was. It sounded like something off the Silk Road album. After listening through the tracks, I’m pretty sure it was “Summer in the High Grassland.” Ma did play it solo at the show, so it sounds a bit different. Let me know if you agree.
[Noozhawk’s note: We’ve been trying to track down the answer, and so far we’ve been able to confirm only that it was a selection from his Silk Road project.]
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Big Stage Productions Issues Casting Call for ‘Seussical the Musical’
Auditions for actors ages 9 to 21 will be held Sunday at Gustafson Dance
Camerata Pacifica Oboist Nicholas Daniel Honored by Queen of England
The artist/conductor named the recipient of the 2011 Queen’s Medal for Music
Paul Mann: Kevin Nealon Brings Classic Stand-Up to Lobero Theatre
Veteran comedian Wayne Federman opens the Santa Barbara show
Winchester Rebels to Play SOhO Benefit for Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara
Local rockers will headline Feb. 16 show with support from A Broken Opera and Seven Year War
‘Rise and Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story’ to Show at Lobero Theatre
All proceeds from the Feb. 9 screening will benefit Santa Barbara Soccer Club
Weather: Fair 59.0º
Search Noozhawk »
