@Margo Giddens yea the word “elegy” means something like a funeral or like when someone dies they say “that’s an elegy” so that’s why she/he probably played this piece
This song on its own is a complete masterpiece. Having Yo Yo Ma play it is another masterpiece of its own. So basically this video is a masterpiece squared. Hopefully, I'll be playing it as my senior solo for my cello teacher's senior recital before I go off to college. This song always touched my soul, and I love it so much! I hope I do half as well as this!
I didn't like how this song made me depressed......but then I heard Yo-Yo Ma play it,... and I actually love it now. its still sad but he makes it so much more meaningful and epic
I came here after a local flood took the life of Sgt. Eddison Hermond, who tried to save the life of a trapped woman. We can't exactly go to the funeral, but this gave some closure. Thank you, Mr. Ma, for your incredible soul.
I love how his fingers so easily scale the fingerboard, and yet they're still so strategic in hitting each note perfectly. :) Why do you care what his facial expressions are showing? What matters is the fact that he can carry across the beauty of the music and the pain behind it without need them! So what if he smiles!? The music he's playing paints an entirely different picture.
I've played this on my cello, and each time I hear or play this song it sends chills down my spine. And, of course, with Yo Yo Ma playing it, it sounds twice as nice. Great video!
When playing this piece, there are so many moments where you just want to push out the intensity in emotion out through the cello... The beauty is in holding back... Making that emotion grow inside, grow within what is not released... then releasing it all into the air waves. One of my favourite pieces to play and listen to.
Dr. Bernard, french ambassador to P.R, says that the first version of the Élégie was composed when Gabriel Fauré was very young. This was a favorite of Pablo Casals and he played it in front of Maestro Fauré !! There is an "elegant nostalgia" in this work
my favorite part is at 4:50! I love playing this part. the music is so nostalgic, and then it gets happier, and it's like there is a beacon of hope in the darkness of the song. It is played by one of the greatest masters of such a beautiful instrument!
This concert by Yo-Y0 Ma was dedicated to the memory of Sergiu Comissiona (16 June 1928 -- March 5, 2005) who died suddenly a few days before. Maestro Comissiona was to conduct it. NOTE: Please ignore the low volume radio interference at the end...
I heard Yo Yo Ma do this on 9/11 in Colorado Springs where I was going to college. Only time I ever cried during a concert. Oí que Yo Yo Ma hace esto en 9/11 en Colorado Springs, CO donde iba al colegio. Sólo tiempo que lloré jamás durante un concierto.
doing this for a competition in a couple weeks time 6:17 - 6:38 makes me want to throw myself off a building. I can do it but the accompaniment throws me off. and then i watch this and become even more depressed because he makes it look so easy
@aamish911 no thats wrong, orchestral performances are not meant to be a visual performance, if they were the musicians would not be wearing such plain colors. im a musician too and we play wearing solid black always so we dont distract from the music.. im just clarifying, i dont care if you didnt like him smiling
I remember perfectly this concert during the Festival Casals. It was broadcasted live and I recorded it completly, not only the Faure's Elegie performance but also the Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor performance. In my opinion, that was one of the best performances by Yo-Yo Ma. Unfortunately I haven't been able to upload it.Thanks for upload this video.
OMG, that's so beautiful! I really love the interpretation and now I feel a little bad to play, I can't do it as well... of course, Yo-Yo Ma is an incredible cellist and my favorite since I started playing the cello
The magic of Casals is ever present in the Casals Festival. It is like a holy place or "Mecca". Yo Yo Ma, Piatigorsky, Du Pre, Menuhin, Leonard Rose, Jean Pierre Rampal, for example, have made a "pilgrimage" at least once in their lifetime.
... You're kidding, right? Have you *heard* the Piatigorsky?! I think it's the most heartrending reading of the Elegie on TH-cam. Truly a great performance.
Yo yo ma plays with the most dynamic and expressive vibrato in the beginning than does anyone else I have heard play this piece. I'm not entirely sure what you mean that its played in such a uniform mood in the middle section. He plays with such emotion, variety in vibrato and sound, and amazing accents throughout the whole piece. His playing is in no way unbalanced, but thats just what I think
mi músico preferido, interpretando una de mis obras preferidas, no puedo evitar compartirlo ... recomiendo escucharlo con una luz tenue y un café humeante .
It is Yiye Avila preaching. Fortunately it is of low volume and is only noticeable at the end. He says: "Poderoso Jesus!" (Powerful Jesus!). Mr. Yiye Avila is very old and suffered a stroke in Oct 2008. He is seen again on TV live but sitting down and with decreased mental capacity (forgetfulness etc.).
sorry for answering so fast, but if you look at the youtube video:"This old cello" Yo-yo Ma shows his stradivarius and it does not look like his cello on elegie, it has a lot thinner body. So I´m pretty sure it´s his "Petunia" Montagnana cello :)
wow this is one of the best performances of this i've heard! if you haven't, listen to anne gastinels performance of this. also another favorite performance.
I played this in high school for a contest; I got a perfect score and the judge even said that my pianissimo was the most beautiful she's ever heard (even though I'm nowhere near as good as a god like Yo-Yo MA). I just remembered when playing this, I just didn't want it to end - milking every moment and enjoying every note - I hope my audiences felt the same way.
The beginning was so intense, the most "strong" sound I've heard in comparison to other artists also playing elegie. And I loved the way he interpreted the soft and flowing middle section and the build up after that. But the climax wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. I guess that's the way he wanted to portray it.
Yes but it was an electronic interference at the TV station due to analog transmission problems. Simply ignore and enjoy the high quality cello and orquestra sounds...
@YeaItsMario I totally understand what you're going through with that part. Just remember the accompanist is the accompanist. I don't mean to downplay their role but that is their job (and quite difficult one at that!). Try not to think about the accompaniment and lose yourself in that part. Have Fury, Have PASSION! With that, you'll light the audience's soul aflame. Break a leg!
Spanish Radio Frequencies?? Puerto Rico is very far away from Spain! Actually it was local TV interferience in Puerto Rico. The performance was so great that I realized that this obvious defect was not disastrous.
Raymond Falcon-Lugo I meant Spanish as in the language, not in reference to the country Spain. I do agree, it doesn't degrade the music at all, i just hoped i wasn't going insane....
Nathan Mills The spanish language mild interference was of the international preacher "Yiye Avila" who says very clearly and convincingly "alabado sea Jesus", which means "Praise be to Jesus", then comes some incomprehensible words I guess it is archaic latin... or jewish??.
I hope the "interference" is less bothering now. We were really fortunate it comes at the end of the concert. It may have been caused by analog equipment still being used in 2005.
My teacher told me about how a famous cellist played this song after the events of 9/11 and once the piece was over, there was about 10 minutes of silence. This piece is beautiful and the impact it can have on somebody cannot be overstated
My friend played this at a wake for two high school students who died in a car accident. The whole room was in tears. I love this piece.
@Margo Giddens yea the word “elegy” means something like a funeral or like when someone dies they say “that’s an elegy” so that’s why she/he probably played this piece
i'm so sorry
This song on its own is a complete masterpiece. Having Yo Yo Ma play it is another masterpiece of its own. So basically this video is a masterpiece squared.
Hopefully, I'll be playing it as my senior solo for my cello teacher's senior recital before I go off to college. This song always touched my soul, and I love it so much! I hope I do half as well as this!
1:54 is where it starts
Actually, it starts at 1:56 AFTER hearing the notes by the French Ambassador of Puerto Rico: Dr. Mark Bernard !
I didn't like how this song made me depressed......but then I heard Yo-Yo Ma play it,... and I actually love it now. its still sad but he makes it so much more meaningful and epic
I came here after a local flood took the life of Sgt. Eddison Hermond, who tried to save the life of a trapped woman. We can't exactly go to the funeral, but this gave some closure. Thank you, Mr. Ma, for your incredible soul.
I played this for a project when I was in school, also wrote about how Faure's mental condition at the time affected this composition.
His vibrato is just so perfect.
I was lucky enough to meet Yo-Yo at a reception for the North Carolina Symphony at a concert where he played the Schumann concerto. AMAZING!!!!!!!
lucky you! :)
I love how his fingers so easily scale the fingerboard, and yet they're still so strategic in hitting each note perfectly. :)
Why do you care what his facial expressions are showing?
What matters is the fact that he can carry across the beauty of the music and the pain behind it without need them! So what if he smiles!?
The music he's playing paints an entirely different picture.
Amazing. It brought tears to my eyes :,) Thank you for playing this so beautifully Yo Yo Ma.
...and thank you Gabriel Fauré for composing this marvelous music. :)
The initial notes are of tremendous impact because of its pure beauty.
Add my thanks to the orchestra...
I've played this on my cello, and each time I hear or play this song it sends chills down my spine. And, of course, with Yo Yo Ma playing it, it sounds twice as nice. Great video!
I had the luck to see him live in Athens, right outside the Parthenon. What a legend... thank you so much for what you do, Yo-Yo Ma.
When playing this piece, there are so many moments where you just want to push out the intensity in emotion out through the cello... The beauty is in holding back... Making that emotion grow inside, grow within what is not released... then releasing it all into the air waves.
One of my favourite pieces to play and listen to.
I have played the cello for nine years and I will never understand how he vibrates with his elbow so low
the Force.
That is the proper technique
you vibrate with your wrist so it does not really matter where your elbow is
Lachlan Price no, for upper string instruments they use wrist vibrato but cello vibrato is motion on the forearm
He do a good wiggle
c'est je pense la meilleur interprétation que j'ai jamais vue de l'élégie de fauré. bravo mr yo yo ma!
This piece captures so many flavors of grief.
magnífica obra, magnífico cellista, buena orquesta, que mas se puede pedir.
Dr. Bernard, french ambassador to P.R, says that the first version of the Élégie was composed when Gabriel Fauré was very young.
This was a favorite of Pablo Casals and he played it in front of Maestro Fauré !!
There is an "elegant nostalgia" in this work
my favorite part is at 4:50! I love playing this part. the music is so nostalgic, and then it gets happier, and it's like there is a beacon of hope in the darkness of the song. It is played by one of the greatest masters of such a beautiful instrument!
yesss
This concert by Yo-Y0 Ma was dedicated to the memory of Sergiu Comissiona (16 June 1928 -- March 5, 2005) who died suddenly a few days before. Maestro Comissiona was to conduct it.
NOTE: Please ignore the low volume radio interference at the end...
The master of cello has arisen!
Mon Dieu, comme c'est beau !
I heard Yo Yo Ma do this on 9/11 in Colorado Springs where I was going to college. Only time I ever cried during a concert.
Oí que Yo Yo Ma hace esto en 9/11 en Colorado Springs, CO donde iba al colegio. Sólo tiempo que lloré jamás durante un concierto.
Quelle intensité et profondeur dans son jeu...extraordinaire!
doing this for a competition in a couple weeks time 6:17 - 6:38 makes me want to throw myself off a building. I can do it but the accompaniment throws me off. and then i watch this and become even more depressed because he makes it look so easy
Yeah I know this is 9 years later, but how'd th competition go?
Gracias por publicar esta grabación!!! Uno de los conciertos que siempre recordaré. Una experiencia muy emocionante.
i dont even like yoyo that much but this is the best interpretation that i found on youtube. grande maestro!
I've always loved this tune!!
Qué bonito, pronto tengo que estudiar esa pieza, es muy hermosa.
Beautiful and précious
Thank You
2:18 gave me chills when he nods to the crowd
Simply human, great Mr MA!
As if the music comes from the depths of his heart! amazing indulgence
The master himself: this is no noise but music as music should be!
I like the soccer commentary or whatever it is in the background! Especially at the end, it's kind of funny. Great performance! Go Yo-Yo!
@aamish911 no thats wrong, orchestral performances are not meant to be a visual performance, if they were the musicians would not be wearing such plain colors. im a musician too and we play wearing solid black always so we dont distract from the music.. im just clarifying, i dont care if you didnt like him smiling
I remember perfectly this concert during the Festival Casals. It was broadcasted live and I recorded it completly, not only the Faure's Elegie performance but also the Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor performance. In my opinion, that was one of the best performances by Yo-Yo Ma. Unfortunately I haven't been able to upload it.Thanks for upload this video.
Congratulations!
You pin point exactly the most intense, beautiful segment, 6:40 is certainly sublime and hair rising!!
Yes, I agree with you on both points. The grief is profound. I hope to achieve it with my own performance someday.
Excellent playing! Yo-Yo-Ma throws his cello all over the place!
Thanks! Initially I was not going to upload it (because of the noise at the end etc...) but because this is such a moving performance here is it!
OMG, that's so beautiful! I really love the interpretation and now I feel a little bad to play, I can't do it as well... of course, Yo-Yo Ma is an incredible cellist and my favorite since I started playing the cello
I have to play this piece soon. I am thoroughly intimidated. Yo-Yo Ma, you never cease to astound me.
que belleza de obra y YOYOMA es un maestro
this work with notes so grim thrills me is beautiful
The magic of Casals is ever present in the Casals Festival. It is like a holy place or "Mecca". Yo Yo Ma, Piatigorsky, Du Pre, Menuhin, Leonard Rose, Jean Pierre Rampal, for example, have made a "pilgrimage" at least once in their lifetime.
...
You're kidding, right? Have you *heard* the Piatigorsky?!
I think it's the most heartrending reading of the Elegie on TH-cam. Truly a great performance.
very nice performance
AMAZING!!
Faure & Yo-Yo ma.... It's amazing...
wow elegie as a concerto, very beautiful
Yo yo ma plays with the most dynamic and expressive vibrato in the beginning than does anyone else I have heard play this piece. I'm not entirely sure what you mean that its played in such a uniform mood in the middle section. He plays with such emotion, variety in vibrato and sound, and amazing accents throughout the whole piece. His playing is in no way unbalanced, but thats just what I think
At 6:16 he stands up!! I love it
Correct !!
He enjoys so much, is happy, is a super virtuoso. This means that he is free to "look around", "be relaxed" etc.
very very nice!
It sounds worse when I play it for some reason. :)
1. His Cello is worth millions of dollars
2. He's Yo-yo Ma.
:p
Lol big mood
dlookwhy I feel you dog
I wonder why.
nahor88 his cello is actually 200k fyi
A beautiful interpretation.Especially played on the Davidov cello.Bravo!
mi músico preferido, interpretando una de mis obras preferidas, no puedo evitar compartirlo ... recomiendo escucharlo con una luz tenue y un café humeante .
So Beautiful!!! Thank you!!!
and THAT is why i love to play the cello
Beautiful ❤
It is Yiye Avila preaching. Fortunately it is of low volume and is only noticeable at the end. He says:
"Poderoso Jesus!" (Powerful Jesus!).
Mr. Yiye Avila is very old and suffered a stroke in Oct 2008. He is seen again on TV live but sitting down and with decreased mental capacity (forgetfulness etc.).
Lovely...
sorry for answering so fast, but if you look at the youtube video:"This old cello" Yo-yo Ma shows his stradivarius and it does not look like his cello on elegie, it has a lot thinner body. So I´m pretty sure it´s his "Petunia" Montagnana cello :)
なんて美しくて哀しい曲なんだろう…
今度チェロと一緒にピアノで演奏するから、とても参考になった。
Superb performance !!!!
AMAZING!!!!!
JUST AMAZING!
Great musician.
wow this is one of the best performances of this i've heard!
if you haven't, listen to anne gastinels performance of this. also another favorite performance.
thanks for sharing!
Man it's so beautiful
About 2 weeks after Sergiu Commissiona died.
Commissiona was supposed to have been the Conductor. The date is around March 20, 2005
@LiuGondor Creo que en el 2008 principios del Festival Casals en PR
Maestro Yo-Yo Ma will come again to the Casals Festival in 2015 (March) !!
Yo Yo, my hero.
LOL! He like stood up in the middle of the piece! I love him!
I played this in high school for a contest; I got a perfect score and the judge even said that my pianissimo was the most beautiful she's ever heard (even though I'm nowhere near as good as a god like Yo-Yo MA). I just remembered when playing this, I just didn't want it to end - milking every moment and enjoying every note - I hope my audiences felt the same way.
The beginning was so intense, the most "strong" sound I've heard in comparison to other artists also playing elegie. And I loved the way he interpreted the soft and flowing middle section and the build up after that. But the climax wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. I guess that's the way he wanted to portray it.
Yes but it was an electronic interference at the TV station due to analog transmission problems. Simply ignore and enjoy the high quality cello and orquestra sounds...
I agree with you on that. The interesting thing is that Faure originally wrote the piece for cello and orchestra.
@martinshung1 True! I was fortunate to capture the broadcast live!
Keep informing us on your progress! Best wishes!!
Yes! Be happy, agreeable, open minded, courteous, etc....
Yo-Yo Ma is the bomb.
6:15 has so much emotion to me
3:32
awesome
Playing this for solo and ensemble as a sophomore and I’m tryna play this good bruh someone tell me how
I’m playing this piece right now and I’m like “😨 how do they play it so fast I’m not even close”
The trick is to play the slow part fast and the fast part normally, so everyone will think you are playing it fast.
Eladio Hosseinpour I tried it and it worked thank you!
If you can play it slowly you can play it quickly 😉
Leonardo Cialdella YESSSSS TWO SET VIOLIN?!
Francesca Kim I love you 😍 Hahaha
The tempo of Ma is just right. I agree with you. By comparison Piatigorsky sounds cold and detached.
Yo Yo Ma creates the proper "grief"!!
What did this song do? It changed my life.
@YeaItsMario I totally understand what you're going through with that part. Just remember the accompanist is the accompanist. I don't mean to downplay their role but that is their job (and quite difficult one at that!). Try not to think about the accompaniment and lose yourself in that part. Have Fury, Have PASSION! With that, you'll light the audience's soul aflame. Break a leg!
wow indeed!
Ok. I am a complete novice to this music. I am moved greatly by this cello music. Can anyone recommend any other pieces? Thank you in advance.
John
Why does it sound like my speakers are picking up Spanish radio frequencies at the end? Listen closely at around 8:50-9:05
sounds more like a badly overrecorded vhs tape or something, still has some of last night´s spanish sitcom
Spanish Radio Frequencies?? Puerto Rico is very far away from Spain!
Actually it was local TV interferience in Puerto Rico. The performance was so great that I realized that this obvious defect was not disastrous.
Raymond Falcon-Lugo I meant Spanish as in the language, not in reference to the country Spain. I do agree, it doesn't degrade the music at all, i just hoped i wasn't going insane....
Nathan Mills The spanish language mild interference was of the international preacher "Yiye Avila" who says very clearly and convincingly "alabado sea Jesus", which means "Praise be to Jesus", then comes some incomprehensible words I guess it is archaic latin... or jewish??.
I hope the "interference" is less bothering now. We were really fortunate it comes at the end of the concert. It may have been caused by analog equipment still being used in 2005.
Not All are great renditions!
There are various degrees of greatness in the great renditions.
Hypnotizing
My teacher told me about how a famous cellist played this song after the events of 9/11 and once the piece was over, there was about 10 minutes of silence. This piece is beautiful and the impact it can have on somebody cannot be overstated
it's incredible enough to play that well, but he still has to make it look thoroughly effortless...
WITH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!