Fresh Air Podcast Summary: A Yo-Yo Ma Thanksgiving

Podcast Information

• Title: Fresh Air
• Host: Terry Gross
• Description: Fresh Air from WHYY is a Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today’s biggest luminaries.
• Episode: A Yo-Yo Ma Thanksgiving
• Release Date: November 28, 2024

Introduction to Yo-Yo Ma

In this heartfelt Thanksgiving episode of Fresh Air, host Terry Gross sits down with the esteemed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Recognized as the most famous contemporary cellist in the United States, Yo-Yo Ma is celebrated not only for his masterful performances of Bach’s solo cello suites but also for his extensive collaborations across diverse musical genres through the Silk Road Ensemble, which he founded. With 19 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Yo-Yo Ma’s influence spans classical music and beyond.

Notable Quotes:

• “I am living my best childhood right now.” – Yo-Yo Ma (17:31)
• “Because, you know, there's always unexplored parts. And I think with music, with anything that's created. If you look deeply enough into anything, I think you actually see the world.” – Yo-Yo Ma (41:34)

Petunia: Yo-Yo Ma’s Beloved Cello

The conversation begins with Yo-Yo Ma introducing his cello, named Petunia. This exquisite instrument, dating back to the 1700s and older than the United States, holds significant personal value. The cello was christened by a high school student named Brittany in Salt Lake City, Utah, who suggested the name after hearing Yo-Yo Ma play a piece of music.

Notable Quote:

• “The first thing I want to tell you is that the cello's name is Petunia.” – Yo-Yo Ma (03:39)

The Eternal Bach: Yo-Yo Ma’s Interpretations of the Cello Suites

A central topic of the interview is Yo-Yo Ma’s enduring relationship with Bach’s solo cello suites. Having recorded them three times over four decades (1983, 1997, 2018), Ma explores how each rendition reflects his growth as an artist.

Notable Quotes:

• “I did it once in my 20s, I did once in my 40s. I did once in my 60s. So every 20 years or so, I figured I might get it better.” – Yo-Yo Ma (04:32)
• “How wonderful it is that you could have the poetry of music… that actually makes you think you are touching infinity.” – Yo-Yo Ma (05:34)

Early Life and Prodigious Beginnings

Yo-Yo Ma recounts his beginnings as a child prodigy, starting cello at age four and performing for Presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower by age seven. His father, a professor of music, and his mother, a singer, had a profound influence on his disciplined yet emotionally rich approach to music.

Notable Quotes:

• “I'm 68. That means I've been trying to get this right for 64 years.” – Yo-Yo Ma (10:53)
• “I was very confused.” – Yo-Yo Ma (13:37)

Balancing Discipline and Rebellion

Despite his disciplined upbringing, Yo-Yo Ma discusses his teenage years marked by rebellion, including cutting classes and sneaking out to drink. These experiences contrasted sharply with his father's strict expectations, leading Yo-Yo Ma to struggle with his identity and the purpose behind his musical pursuits.

Notable Quotes:

• “I'm rebelling against people doing things and not knowing why they're doing it.” – Yo-Yo Ma (18:02)
• “I was punished by the shame and guilt.” – Yo-Yo Ma (19:25)

Finding Personal Identity Through Music

A pivotal moment for Yo-Yo Ma was reading Pablo Casals’ statement about being a human being first, musician second, and cellist third. This philosophy helped Yo-Yo Ma reconcile his personal identity with his musical career, emphasizing that music serves as a means of human expression rather than just performance.

Notable Quotes:

• “What's the right order for me, always, always is you're a human being first and then you are a member of that sector of musicians second and last. I'm a cellist.” – Yo-Yo Ma (21:17)
• “This implies that we all have multiple voices.” – Yo-Yo Ma (24:03)

Music as Advocacy and Commemoration

Yo-Yo Ma speaks about his performances at significant commemorative events, such as the first anniversary of 9/11 at Ground Zero and the memorial for the World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza. He emphasizes the importance of selecting music that resonates with the gravity of the occasion, providing solace and a sense of community.

Notable Quotes:

• “Six minutes of music, and somehow you can evoke the sense of place, of time, of just having been.” – Yo-Yo Ma (32:39)
• “All of us. So I didn't feel that I was particularly special…” – Yo-Yo Ma (13:08)

Personal Connection to Music

Yo-Yo Ma shares pieces that hold personal significance, such as Shostakovich’s works written during the Cold War and Dvorak’s “Going Home” from the New World Symphony. He explains how these pieces reflect his own experiences and the broader human condition, intertwining personal emotion with historical context.

Notable Quotes:

• “If you think deeply enough into anything, I think you actually see the world.” – Yo-Yo Ma (41:34)
• “And now you can have the poetry of music… makes you think you are touching infinity.” – Yo-Yo Ma (05:34)

Embracing Imperfection and Avoiding Burnout

In the concluding part of the interview, Yo-Yo Ma discusses his approach to performance and life. Rejecting the notion of perfection inherent in industrial aesthetics, he embraces the philosophy of doing his best in each moment without being paralyzed by the pursuit of flawlessness. This mindset helps him navigate burnout and maintain a sense of curiosity and renewal in his long career.

Notable Quotes:

• “I can't play a million concerts and make have six bum concerts. That's an unreasonable thing to ask of a human being.” – Yo-Yo Ma (48:11)
• “What do we do in industry? You make a million copies of something with the least amount of error.” – Yo-Yo Ma (48:11)

Conclusion

The interview concludes with mutual admiration between Terry Gross and Yo-Yo Ma, reflecting on the depth and authenticity of Ma’s musical journey. Yo-Yo Ma’s commitment to excellence, coupled with his humanistic approach to music, underscores the enduring impact of his artistry and philosophy.

Notable Quotes:

• “Seriously, because, you know, I was going to ask you, how do you deal with burnout?” – Terry Gross (46:56)
• “You're our hero.” – Yo-Yo Ma (48:33)

This episode of Fresh Air offers an intimate glimpse into Yo-Yo Ma’s life, exploring themes of discipline, identity, advocacy through music, and the delicate balance between striving for excellence and embracing imperfection. For listeners seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of one of today’s most influential musicians, this conversation is both enlightening and profoundly moving.