CD-Charts Position 1

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Songs of Joy and Peace: Deluxe Edition

by: Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Renée Fleming, Dave Brubeck, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Chris Botti, Natalie MacMaster

Release Date October 13, 2008

CD-Charts Position 2
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Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Cello Concerto No. 1

by: Leonard Bernstein, Yo-Yo Ma

Release Date September 17, 2001
I've never written a review before, but my listening to this CD after I bought it earlier has compelled me to do so!

This recording of three truly great solists, Yo Yo Ma, André Previn and Leonard Bernstein, is simply fantastic. The amazing work of Shostakovich is given a new lease of life by these contemporary performers, who definitely breathe into it new life.

Typically, Shostakovich's cello music is attributed to Rostropovich, but I think Yo Yo Ma's interpretation of this - his edgy sound - is something to rival even him.

This is definitely a CD you'll want to play on loud - the orchestral clarity and recording quality is simply divine.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Bach: Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

from: Theta

Release Date September 17, 2001
I've never written a review before, but my listening to this CD after I bought it earlier has compelled me to do so!

This recording of three truly great solists, Yo Yo Ma, André Previn and Leonard Bernstein, is simply fantastic. The amazing work of Shostakovich is given a new lease of life by these contemporary performers, who definitely breathe into it new life.

Typically, Shostakovich's cello music is attributed to Rostropovich, but I think Yo Yo Ma's interpretation of this - his edgy sound - is something to rival even him.

This is definitely a CD you'll want to play on loud - the orchestral clarity and recording quality is simply divine.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Bach - Solo Cello Suites

from: Sony Classics

Release Date January 26, 1998
This is an absolutely superb version of the Bach Cello Suites. The intonation is flawless throughout, the tonal quality beautiful and the interpretation often gives a fresh insight into these familiar works. The recording quality is of an extremely high satandard.

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Essential Yo-Yo Ma

directed by: Ton Koopman, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Release Date August 09, 2004
This is an absolutely superb version of the Bach Cello Suites. The intonation is flawless throughout, the tonal quality beautiful and the interpretation often gives a fresh insight into these familiar works. The recording quality is of an extremely high satandard.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Songs of Joy and Peace (Standard Edition)

by: Yo-Yo Ma

Release Date October 13, 2008
This is an absolutely superb version of the Bach Cello Suites. The intonation is flawless throughout, the tonal quality beautiful and the interpretation often gives a fresh insight into these familiar works. The recording quality is of an extremely high satandard.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Piazzolla: Soul of the Tango

from: Classical

Release Date November 03, 1997
Maestro Yo Yo Ma does justice to greatest music by the greatest composer of 20th century. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Beethoven - Triple Concerto; Choral Fantasia

from: EMI Classics

Release Date November 06, 1995
I bought this as it is a good pairing of two pieces I did not own on CD. Both the concerto and Fantasia sound pretty good and the performance is excellent.
However this is a live recording and I generally avoid these due to the (usually) poorer sound quality, but mainly due to the intrusive coughing/shuffling background noise from the audience. Also because of the applause at the end which ALWAYS starts before the final bar of the piece has drifted into silence, (some members of classical audiences love to show how clever they are by being so familiar with a piece of music they can dive in first with the OTT applause!) not allowing the listener to sit in peace and quietly reflect on the music just enjoyed.
If you look closely at the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

by: Tan Dun, Yo-Yo Ma

Release Date November 14, 2000
The cello is the voice of mystery, of depth, of secret and dark caves in the mind of the living, in the memory of the dead. The cello opens the door to the other side of today, here, now, me, to the other side, virtual or real, virtual and real, of what our five senses can capture and even what our mind, the sixth dimension of our sixth sense, can perceive and conceive. When Tan Dun adds to this voice from beyond the grave and the fire of some terrific dragon his own sense of being within and without, inside and outside Chinese music or western harmony, he can reach the power of thunder and the speed of lightning as well as the delicate falling and landing or morning dew on the light leaves of grass that pierce the dawn with their green blades. He is unique ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Beethoven: Triple Concerto

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date October 05, 2000
I have to say that it is the production that makes this recording a bit special, yes you have the warm karajan orchestra but it is the mixing levels that bring you an almost chamber like sound and feel to the concerto that makes it for me. This is an original 1980's recording not remastered and it certainly does not need it. I own the szell recording too but I am veering towards this one because of the more intimate feel of it. His greatest 3 overtures recorded from 1970/65 is ofcourse an added bargain! highly recomended.