Table Of ContentYO-YO MA
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YO-YO MA
A Biography
Jim Whiting
GREENWOOD BIOGRAPHIES
GREENWOOD PRESS
WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT (cid:129) LONDON
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Whiting, Jim, 1943–
Yo-Yo Ma : a biography / Jim Whiting.
p. cm. — (Greenwood biographies, ISSN 1540–4900)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–0–313–34486–2 (alk. paper)
1. Ma, Yo-Yo, 1955– 2. Violoncellists—Biography. I. Title.
ML418.M115W55 2008
787.4092—dc22
[B] 2008017546
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available
Copyright © 2008 by Jim Whiting
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 200817546
ISBN: 978–0–313–34486–2
ISSN: 1540–4900
First published in 2008
Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
www.greenwood.com
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
Series Foreword vii
Introduction ix
Timeline: Events in the Life of Yo-Yo Ma xi
Chapter 1 Love and War 1
Chapter 2 “I Want the Big Instrument” 9
Chapter 3 Yo-Yo Gets a “Big Little Viola” 17
Chapter 4 A New Life in New York 25
Chapter 5 High School and High Anxiety 35
Chapter 6 Learning of Love and Love of Learning 47
Chapter 7 Cast-Clad, Becoming a Dad, and a New Strad 57
Chapter 8 Manny, Grammy, and in the ’Hood with Mr. Rogers 69
Chapter 9 A Jazz Legend and Farewell to a Father 81
Chapter 10 Hush and Happiness in Small Groups 89
Chapter 11 America Meets Africa 95
Chapter 12 The Free-Range Cellist 99
Chapter 13 Yo-Yo Ma and the Suite Life 109
Chapter 14 Bach—Up Close and Personal 121
Chapter 15 Die Seidenstrasse 131
Chapter 16 Crossing Over 141
vi CONTENTS
Chapter 17 Getting Up To Speed on the Silk Road 149
Chapter 18 The Beat Goes On … and On … and On 157
Selected Bibliography 165
Index 175
Photo essay 181
SERIES FOREWORD
In response to high school and public library needs, Greenwood de-
veloped this distinguished series of full-length biographies specifically for
student use. Prepared by field experts and professionals, these engaging
biographies are tailored for high school students who need challenging yet
accessible biographies. Ideal for secondary school assignments, the length,
format, and subject areas are designed to meet educators’ requirements
and students’ interests.
Greenwood offers an extensive selection of biographies spanning all
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literature and the arts, history and politics, as well as popular culture,
covering public figures and famous personalities from all time periods and
backgrounds, both historic and contemporary, who have made an impact
on American and/or world culture. Greenwood biographies were chosen
based on comprehensive feedback from librarians and educators. Con-
sideration was given to both curriculum relevance and inherent interest.
The result is an intriguing mix of the well known and the unexpected, the
saints and sinners from long-ago history and contemporary pop culture.
Readers will find a wide array of subject choices from fascinating crime
figures like Al Capone to inspiring pioneers like Margaret Mead, from
the greatest minds of our time like Stephen Hawking to the most amazing
success stories of our day like J. K. Rowling.
While the emphasis is on fact, not glorification, the books are meant
to be fun to read. Each volume provides in-depth information about the
subject’s life from birth through childhood, the teen years, and adulthood.
A thorough account relates family background and education, traces
viii SERIES FOREWORD
personal and professional influences, and explores struggles, accomplish-
ments, and contributions. A timeline highlights the most significant life
events against a historical perspective. Bibliographies supplement the ref-
erence value of each volume.
INTRODUCTION
As the final notes of the opening selection fade away, the audience at
Seattle’s Benaroya Hall applauds enthusiastically. Moments later, one of
the musicians strides to the front of the stage and addresses the capacity
throng, providing background to what they have just heard—as well he
might.
Benaroya Hall is the home venue of the Seattle Symphony Orches-
tra. It normally features music by such well-known classical composers as
Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart. But on this night—March 12, 2007—few in the audience have
heard any of the music that is on the program. Nor are they familiar with
any of the composers’ names.
There is another difference between this performance and the ones to
which most members of the audience are accustomed. A normal concert
at Benaroya Hall would present grand orchestral works played by nearly
100 black-clad musicians. The orchestra members would be sitting in
hard-backed chairs arranged in precise rows. In contrast, tonight’s group
has barely a dozen performers. Most are dressed casually and a few even sit
cross-legged on a large platform in the center of the stage.
These musicians are known as the Silk Road Ensemble. Having been
formed in 1998, less than 10 years before this night’s concert, the ensem-
ble is a relatively new group, and relative to the world of classical music,
its members have a new goal: to bridge the musical gap between East and
West.
Tonight it seems evident, after playing just one selection, that they
have achieved their goal. The response to their piece is not the polite
Description:A musician of rare artistry, the self-effacing yet charismatic Yo-Yo Ma connects with his audiences with startling effectiveness. He remains devoted to the classical repertoire yet has long roved far beyond the Western classical music canon. Despite his real superstar status and thriving solo career
