Quotes by Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma, born on October 7, 1955, in Paris to Chinese parents, has become one of the most celebrated cellists of our time. A child prodigy, he began his musical journey at a young age, captivating audiences with his profound skill and emotional depth. Ma's career spans classical, folk, and contemporary music, showcasing his belief in the power of music to unite cultures. His legacy extends beyond performance; he is a passionate advocate for arts education and cultural exchange, enriching lives worldwide.

6 quotes found

"What came up at age 49 is I realized that of all the things I'm interested in, the thing I'm most interested in is figuring out what makes people tick, why people think the way they do, why they act the way they do. And I realized that music is such a great way to investigate why people do what they do. -Yo"

Yo Ma

"Things can fall apart, or threaten to, for many reasons, and then there's got to be a leap of faith. Ultimately, when you're at the edge, you have to go forward or backward; if you go forward, you have to jump together. -Yo"

Yo Ma

"As you begin to realize that every different type of music, everybody's individual music, has its own rhythm, life, language and heritage, you realize how life changes, and you learn how to be more open and adaptive to what is around us. -Yo"

Yo Ma

"I think of a piece of music as something that comes alive when it is being performed, and I feel that my role in the transmission of music is to be its best advocate at that moment. -Yo"

Yo Ma

"I think that peace is, in many ways, a precondition of joy. -Yo"

Yo Ma

"The tradition of classical music and the opera is such that it used to be the place where social intercourse could take place between all parts of society: politicians, industrialists, artists, citizens, etc. That tradition, I think, still exists, but it's much, much more diluted. -Yo"

Yo Ma

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