Customer Reviews

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Ennio Morricone

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Enough others have talked about the music presented on this disc. It's good - very good - and a testament to the musicians presenting it. Plenty more reviews available for the standard version. This review is of the DualDisc.

Dualdiscs are a relatively new piece of technology - a CD on one side, DVD on the other, and offer a number of advantages, as well as a few problems. The CD side does not conform to the "redbook" CD standard, and as such cannot be played on all CD players (this is a side effect of the thickness of the DualDisc). I've seen estimates ranging from 2% to 30% incompatibility, so be aware of this. The CD side seems to be especially problematic in computer DVD drives, so if you're purchasing a DualDisc and intending to rip the material to mp3, try to borrow a disc first to check that it will work correctly. Also, the extra thickness and double sided nature of the discs means you shouldn't use them in slot loading CD players like most car stereos or multi-disc juke boxes. All that said, I haven't had problems playing the CD side of any of my DualDiscs.
The DVD side is the same standard as normal DVDs, and can be played on any DVD player or drive. This offers slightly higher quality stereo playback (although I defy anyone to hear the difference) and often Dolby 5.1 playback, as well as an opportunity for extras.

On this DualDisc, the music is presented with a number of student films which are hardly worth the time to view, and a film of Yo-Yo Ma and Ennio Morricone talking about each other - the sort of gushing that would perhaps better be kept in private. If you do not have and do not expect ever to own a system capable of 5.1 playback, I would not recommend purchasing this DualDisc. But if you have 5.1 playback, it is a revalation. The difference between stereo and 5.1 is like night and day. The sound become more open, immersive, and defined. The rear channels are not overused - most of the time you'll be hard pressed to hear them at all - but take them away and you notice their absense. Sparingly, they are used to provide an aural backdrop such as the use of choir, and each time the effect is stunning. It's hard to put a finger on precisely why the 5.1 mix sounds so much better, but it more alive, involving, and emotive, and very, very worth the premium required to buy the DualDisc version of this album.

DualDiscs are, for the most part, a waste of time if they only contain stereo tracks or if you can't play back in 5.1. If you have a home theater, then buy this disc and enjoy a masterful soundscape and experience.

Bravo, Yo Yo Ma shines with Ennio's music. As a Cello player (nothing on Yo Yo Ma's scale)myself I was encouraged to buy some of the written music and try some of the songs myself--really a lovely CD.

Two great artists together. I didn't know until recently that the two had ever collaborated.

You can not go wrong with ANY of his Album. I am now collecting ALL of them since my first CD which was a surprise gift to me, I just fall in love. I do Yoga everyday, and fitness work out everyday. I love listening to his CDs whenever to focus my vision, emotion, and relaxes my body. I also like to cook a nice meal while playing his CDs. I wish he was not married! ha ha.