By HANNAH DUNN-GRANDPRE – Variety Editor
On Jan. 11, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed a concert at the University of Georgia Hodgeson Hall. Every seat of the performing hall was filled, mostly with people much older than me with the occasional elementary school child dragged along by their parents.
- Courtesy of the Athens Banner-Herald/www.onlineathens.com
Ma played three pieces as well as an additional encore piece, all of which were written by 17th century composer Johann Bach. The entire concert lasted an hour and a half, and he played the entire performance from memory. From my years of music playing, I know even memorizing a couple minutes is incredibly difficult.
Each song was played beautifully. The softer parts were played delicately with care, while the faster, more intense moments were played with incredible precision. He played so quickly during certain parts that he looked as if he was moving in fast-forward, like he was in his own world while the rest of us sat in awe at his impeccable skill.
Along with his talent came lots of personality. Ma returned after the intermission with a UGA sweatshirt on and laughed with the audience and was somehow able to stay humble through his many standing ovations.
I feel so incredibly privileged for having the opportunity to see Ma play live. To be only a balcony’s distance away from a man who’s won more than 15 Grammys, who played at President Obama’s inauguration and has played all over the world was amazing. I know only a fraction of people will ever have a chance such as this one, and I know that this is an experience I may not fully be able to appreciate yet, but its one that will definitely stick with me for the rest of my life.
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