Customer Reviews

Classic Yo-Yo

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As previous reviews have stated this CD is a sampler from previous albums. So if you are a long time Yo-Yo Ma fan this CD is not going to pleasurable and you may actually find it jarring. But if you are just trying out Ma and don't know what to get or to try afterall, CDs are pricey, then get this CD.

If you are a huge fan of his _Soul of Tango_ then get this CD just for the unreleased cut of Piazolla's Tango Sensations: Fear (it is a great piece full of energy). You may also want to get this CD for the Alison Krauss cut of Simple Gifts.

For the truly thrifty who think that the MP3 or OOG version of the music (ripped on premium ware and played on a higher end stereo) will be satisfactory I would argue that you will lose a great deal of richness so, get the CDs of Ma's music for fuller quality.

This CD is good for the beginner and for those who compulsively collect Ma cuts but for the average fan it is a skip.

While most people on this site see the "classic" in the title of the album as referring to classical music only, they are mistaken. Classic Yo-Yo refers to his style, not the genre into which his music choices fall. The list of tracks alone should have been a big enough clue that the music isn't all classical. Judging this album, or any album for that matter, on just its title is simply foolish. And while this is technically a solo album, the way Yo-Yo brings in guest artists to perform with him shows his flexibility as an artist. His version of Simple Gifts is so much more than a school chorus; it is an amazing cellist playing the accompaniment on a song that is meant to be sung.

On a more positive note, I found every track beautiful, from the elegant solo cello in the Bach cello suite to the haunting vocal line in the Bobby McFerrin piece. Yo-Yo Ma gathered a wide range of intriguing pieces to make this fantastic album.

Many people seem not enjoy this varied collection of Yo-Yo Ma's music...I think just the opposite! I loved every moment of this CD; to me every piece was the "best of the best" of Yo-Yo Ma's music. The CD begins with a Bach cello suite, which brilliantly showcases Ma's rich-sounding cello-playing in stunning solo. His samplings of tango music are not to be beaten either-the "Libertango" is filled with the exotically exciting sounds of many different instruments which complement the perfect "tango sounding" cello. Gershwin's famous first prelude gets a new twist with brightly swinging cello and fitting piano accompaniment, and "Simple Gifts", with Alison Krauss singing, is a simple yet deeply feeling arrangement of a timeless hymn-certainly not to be missed! Last, but certainly not least, some highlights of Ma's Appalachian CDs are included and showcase this uniquely American form of music wonderfully. OK, I'll admit that the order and compilation of this music is a little different...but I think you'll find, like I have, that each piece is like a beautiful gem-shining and stunning and able to stand on its own.

This CD is a good sample of what yo-yo ma has acheived in his musical career, if you want a more in depth listening of his talents than I suggest getting the simply baroque CD. The only thing that I didn't like about this cd was that the compositions were to mixed up in the genres. There was a bit of classical, some movie works, a great song by John Williams, and some of The Tango series music. If you would rather listen to one genre, get a CD that just has Classical or Contemerary, don't get a jack of all trades cd.

I recently got this CD as a birthday gift. I've been wanting this CD for a while. The first track is a wonderful song in all reality the entire CD is a wonderful experience. The prelude by Gershwin is unique sounding with the cello. The jazz quality is still there and has a bit of classical influence intertwined among it. Yo-Yo Ma's recording of Simple Gifts is a good song and when they had the lyrics sung by Alison Krauss it was a wonderful choice. Her vocals matched the cello incredibly well. Track 8 is a wonderful song that I love to hear being played on the cello. For any person who loves classical music or cello music this CD is a good choice to buy. It will be well worth your money.

This is one terrific CD. There is simply one wonderful surprise after another. So many exquisitely beautiful pieces and so many that are sheer fun! I was not familiar with most of this music before and now I am inspired to get the individual albums that this music came from. I want more tangos! I want more Appalachian music! I want more Yo-Yo Ma!

The only piece that didn't work for me was Vocalise with Bobby McFerrin.

I don't feel particularly qualified to comment on anyone's musicianship. However, I can tell the difference between an instrument well played and, well, the opposite. Love Ma's playing, and this is a nice representation of his repertoire.

I must confess- I stumbled upon Yo-Yo Ma while perusing the classical section. Had no idea who he was (he is the Michael Jordan of Cellists!) It only took a few minutes of listening to this CD, and I was hooked. Yo-Yo's music is not felt by the heart or the head- but by the gut. It vibrates at the deepest level, and is incredibly passionate. Listen to his first piece-Cello Suite No. 1, and you'll see what I mean. I also really appreciate the diversity of this CD, as it is my first ever classical music CD I've purchased. Gauranteed not to disapoint.

I bought this CD yesterday and have been listening to it non-stop. A must-have for all cello fans as it presents a
diverse variety of styles on one CD. Yo-yo shines again.

This is classic Yo-Yo Ma - classic in the sense of "defining," not in the sense of "classical music." While there is quite a bit of lovely classical music on this album, it is mixed with Yo-Yo Ma's wonderful work in the fields of bluegrass, tango, and film music.

This album is a collection of favorites from the Yo-Yo Ma's previous albums, so for long time fans it may seem somewhat redundant - though the previously unreleased track (Piazzolla's tango "Fear") is quite stunning and well worth listening to.

I found it to be a wonderful album, even though I was already familiar with most of the tracks. It flows well as an album, even with the variety of genres represented. Sometimes it's nice to have particularly memorable tracks from different albums brought together - certainly "Butterfly's Day Out" and "Appalachia Waltz" were favorites of mine from the album Appalachia Waltz, as well as "Libertango" from the album Soul of the Tango. And the "Prelude" to Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 has gained a following in a wider audience than many classical pieces since its appearance on the film soundtrack to Master and Commander.

This album's liner notes are also well worth reading. They include a short biography of Yo-Yo Ma ("At four, he learned his first Bach cello suite; at five, he gave his first concert in Paris; at six, he dazzled Isaac Stern; and at seven, he played in a televised concert hosted by Leonard Bernstein and attended by President and Mrs. Kennedy.") The interview with Mr. Ma included in these notes is also fascinating, as he discusses aspects of his artistry and interests.