7-Year-Old Cellist Prodigy Yo-Yo Ma's Debut Performance for President JFK | The Kennedy Center
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2020
- Leonard Bernstein introduces 7-year-old Yo-Yo Ma and his 11-year-old sister Yeou-Cheng Ma to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower at "An American Pageant of the Arts," on November 29, 1962. The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the National Cultural Center, begun under Eisenhower's administration and encouraged under Kennedy's. The prodigious duo performed the first movement of the Concertino No. 3 in A Major, by Jean-Baptiste Breval.
Two months after President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, Congress passed and President Johnson signed into law legislation renaming the National Cultural Center as a "living memorial" to John F. Kennedy.
Watch the full pageant with Bob Newhart, Harry Belafonte, Danny Kaye, Marian Anderson, Robert Frost, Maria Tallchief, and many more:
• "An American Pageant o...
Learn more about the Kennedy Center's history:
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Leonard Bernstein's introduction of Yo-Yo Ma:
“An aspect of that double stream of art I mentioned earlier flowing into and out of America, has long been the attraction of our country to foreign artists, and scientists and thinkers, who have come not only to visit us, but often to join us as Americans, to become citizens of what to some has historically been the land of opportunity and to others the land of freedom. And in this great tradition, there has come to us, this year, a young man aged 7, bearing the name Yo-Yo Ma. Now Yo-Yo came to our attention through the great master Pablo Casals who had recently heard the boy play the cello. Yo-Yo is, as you may have guessed, Chinese, and has lived up to now in France-a highly international type. But he and his family are now here. His father is teaching school in New York, and his 11-year-old sister, Yeou-Cheng Ma, is pursuing her musical studies, and they are all hoping to become American citizens. We shall now have the pleasure of hearing Yo-Yo Ma, accompanied by his sister Yeou-Cheng Ma, play the first movement of the Concertino No. 3 in A Major, by Jean-Baptiste Breval, who played, taught, and composed for the cello 150 years ago in France. Now, here’s a cultural image for you to ponder as you listen. A 7-year-old Chinese cellist, playing old French music, for his new American compatriots. Welcome Yo-Yo Ma and Yeou-Cheng Ma.”
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#yoyoma #JFK #leonardbernstein - บันเทิง
I appreciate that he gave the same amount of respect to Yo-Yo Ma's sister.
Well... at this point people had no idea Yo-Yo was going to become one of the world's greatest cellists, if not THE greatest.
@@nahor88 i mean i literally did but ok
@@michellecerioni4903 yeah I predicted it too before I was born
@@nahor88
I mean, he’s 7 and playing for JFK. I think people had some idea of how he was going to turn out
he has a sister?
I can’t get over how adorable that tiny cello is
Not to mention the adorable tiny cellist!
@@loisholdridge1766 oh, not sure what's better!
Sounds like viola
@@loisholdridge1766 yeah 🤣
Hahahahahaha lollmfao
Whoa I didn't know Yo Yo Ma had such a LONG career! Mindblowing to see him on TV in what seems like a completely different time.
see his work on SESAME STREET & MISTER ROGERS - - 2006 ?? ( his son plays on the MR ROGERS SHOW )
me either! i was delighted to stumble on this
@@melissamoonchild9216 another good one on YT - - - World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs 100 metres underground at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN
It was a completely different time. You are correct! Look at us now.
His sister was outstanding! She was in "charge" and made sure her brother was ready to go with a sisterly look. She played the piano beautifully. Remember these are little kids playing for the president and his wife, other dignitaries and guests. This was an enormous challenge. Well done.
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
@@johnmayer6533 you’re the fake yo-yo ma. I’ve seen your other comments. Stop trying to make people think you’re real
No one cares who was "in charge". They both deserve equal credit for being outstanding 7 yr olds.
Yo-Yo was 7. Of course the older sister was in charge. The important thing is, nobody knows the sister now.
Yo-yo was the real prodigy there
still sounds amazing despite him being on a tiny cello AND recording with 1960s audio. What a legend.
while making it look easy to play
Not to mention HE WAS 7
Nonsense, this sounds terrible for 1960s audio
@@naccienac yeah studio recordings of the time had better fidelity
The "tiny cello" is a viola.
Yes, Eisenhower was there, too. It's nice to be reminded that an outgoing and an incoming president could exist together. Those were simpler times back then, when the only thing to worry about was the immediate, instantaneous, and total destruction of all humanity.
True.
You can say that again
@@cianleonizoabad yep
Very true, back when being a proud American was the norm.
@@nickromano7441 yeah...
This guy has promise, he could be good someday!!
i wouldnt bet on it
Haha yes we have 2020 hindsight
He is now 66 yrs old! LOL!!!
@JokoHolic he’s not.
He has since exceeded all expectations!
Lovely. Yo-Yo has been a gift for many years. I especially appreciate him raising our spirits during the pandemic!! Thank you Yo-Yo.
He played recently , locally for a few minutes after he got vaccinated where I'd gotten mine 2 days prior. What a nice thing to do !
I agree, YoYo Ma is my favorite cellist. I really enjoyed his on-line concert during the pandemic and to see this. Just inspiring!
@@wwonka52 yes and I’ll never forget the kind woman who, not realizing who he was, dropped money into his cello case.
TH-cam: 7yr old cellist...
Me: Yeah yeah another talented young...
TH-cam: Yo-yo Ma...
Me: *CLICKS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE*
I can tell you I had the exact thought process
literally me lmaoo
One of the reasons I like him so much is that he's just a good person. He's up there with the Betty Whites and Dolly Partons of the world.
lmaoo americans are just so tacky
truth is, he isn't even that great of a musician
@@no-rq7fp yea sure, you can say that when you achieves what he has done someday.
I met Yo Yo in Toronto while we were shooting a documentary on the TSO. He was such a sweet, and generous guy. Some students were there watching him play with the orchestra for a rehearsal and he asked who played cello after they finished and when a couple kids put their hands up, he asked them to come play his cello. I said to his assistant, isn't that cello worth a boatload of money? She said yah, but he loves seeing the kids light up. He knows the kids will treat it like gold.
Yo Yo Ma played on Twitter during the COVID epidemic. He was so wonderful and his interpretation of The Swan is my absolute favourite. Thank you Yo Yo ❤
aww🥺
One of the most genuine humans I've encountered in my lifetime . . .
He's in an episode of mister rogers neighborhood. He's seems like such a nice person
I was actually prepared to hear Bach Cello Suite No.1.
same lmaooooo
of course you did
yeah i was prepared to get disappointed
Me too
In G major?
There are 102270 hours in 7 years, assuming you are practicing 40hrs per day.
>40 hours in a day ????
I think you're getting something wrong here
@@person7023 uncultured person right here
@@jak.cr1ym inside jokes 🤢
@@person7023 but the joke is shared by 3 million twosetters
can we talk abt his sister as well?? both so young but so hecking (?) talented
Pls have respect to God’s name thank you.
@@riyascorner9198 God is gay
@@riyascorner9198 bruh goddamn
@@Ze0nite ok and
@@TWELVE4_ mega gay!
You know, this Yo-Yo Ma kid. He’s got great potential. I hope he continues playing the cello.
Your kidding, right?
😉😄
This Yo-Yo Ma kid shows great promise here. I predict great things ahead for him in the future.
He might turn out okay.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
The great Leonard Bernstein presenting one of the great contemporary cellists of our time. This is such a gem. Thank you for uploading this video.
I am so happy to have heard this. I play it continuously. Catchy tune. Sharing this with everyone and find myself humming this French song and reminiscing along all day long.
Thank you for uploading this gem of his cello playing when he was 7 years old. He is a Blessings !
Yo-Yo Ma played for JFK at age seven?! Mind blown.
I'm sure Kennedy felt the same way 👀
@@Spencer_Gtoo soon man 😢
@@Spencer_GLMAO😂😂😂
One of his qualities he has as an adult maestro which I can see and feel in this video is his relaxed concentration. He is totally focused, yet seems to feel and convey relaxation and joy to the audience. Amazing!
It's a thing you see in a lot of childhood prodigies, they look like they're doing the easiest thing in the world and it's such a big contrast with the public who's completely floored.
Wow. I forgot America once had and appreciate culture and class.
We still have both. Sadly, they both get suppressed by social media more interested in uplifting mean spirits.
@@ikarooz well said.
@@Mr_Buzz_Aldrin People should put classical music, opera, or ballet performances in their social media to generate the interest.
Bby they racially segregated back then lol
Lmao this is a nazbol talking point BTW, the idea that to have "culture" or "class" you have to be consuming European art is a white supremacist idea
Imagine having that tone on a 1960s recording setup and a 1/2 size cello.....what a gift, both of them.
Yo-Yo Ma's so good, he played for the president at age 7.
Imagine being able to say, "Did I ever tell you about the time I performed for JFK at the White House? I performed for a president of the United States. Two presidents, actually. Eisenhower was also in the room. I was introduced by Leonard Bernstein. Did I mention that I was only 7 years old and totally "owned* that room? Good times, Good times."
That sort of thing looks really good on anyone's resume! 🙂
Aloha to you Yo-Yo Ma and so glad to learn about you and your family when you were 7 years old.
Its such a great honor and blessing to see this video when you performed for President John F.
Kennedy !!!!! I'm 79 years old, born and raised in Hawaii, and I heard lots of your cellist music !!!!
Take care and God bless you and your family . Gratefully, Robert S.J. Hu August 9, 2021.
Blessings from Taiwan 🇹🇼😇🧧💖🥰
Aloha to you Teacher David and Yo-Yo Ma !!!! Am humbled to have your blessings
from Taiwan. I had the pleasure of visiting Taiwan when I took my R & R when I
served in the U.S. military and enjoyed seeing a pen pal there !!! Much aloha
blessings to you from Hawaii too !!!!! Robert Sept. 5, 2021.
@@RobertSJHu Thank you for your reply, Robert. 🥳
Hope to see you AGAIN in Taiwan when the pandemic is over. 🇹🇼🤗
Jesus loves you ! 😇🧧💖
Have you ever heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?
Aloha to you Micah D !!! Sorry to tell you that I haven't heard of the tragedy of Darth
Plagueis the Wise. I'm quite naive of classical music and terminology (he-he-he); I
just enjoy that kind of music, songs, and dances. Please educate me. Thanks !!!!
Robert November 11, 2021.
Man, his vibrato is so good.
Yeah
the respect with which yo yo was given in this, at this time, inspires me.
this time was not particularly tolerant. but the grace with which the presenter presents this boy to an american audience is incredible. kudos to him
He and sister played beautifully, together ♥️❤️
And do you know he loves her so much...
A video starts with Bernstein speaking is gonna be amazing for sure 😂
Wait that's Bernstein!? Couldn't recognise him lmao
@@sinpi314 yeah he was young here
@@sinpi314 Oh, I'm glad you said that, lol... I was um, squint, nooo, ohhh...
@@muhammadsadiq8659 he was young?
@@glenngouldschair390 Not too young, only 44 years old 😂
An introduction by Leonard Bernstein, to play for JFK. And we all know what became of Yo-yo Ma.... great video, thank for sharing !!
This is amazing. It is amazing how he played when he was so young for the President. It must have been a great honor for his parents.
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
i suspect his parents were reasonably elite and connected so this wasn't necessarily a living fantasy for them. middle class 7 year old prodigies don't get intros from leonard bernstein to play for presidents.
Had a lawyer friend that roomed down the hall while at Harvard. Yo Yo smoked pot and played his cello incessantly.
i don't know about the pot smoking, but he was known to practice 5 hours a day.
@@lesliesterling826 5 hours a day? Ling ling can do that for 40 hrs a day!
@@lesliesterling826 Honestly 5 hours isn't that much. I know he didn't study music so maybe that's why he didn't practice as much. From what I understand, he went to college to understand the more psychological/human side of music than the technical aspect
@@lesliesterling826 Yo-Yo was def the wake and bake type
Wow, you really blew up the internet, huh.
Who are the 19 people who don't like this? Amazing. Still is.
Probably 19 people who don't have the money to buy their kids fame
Blm…
This event was less than a month after the Cuban Missile Crisis. It's good to see the president promoting arts and culture .
Look at the delighted expression on Eisenhower’s face the end! It speaks volumes of what a difference there is between Republicans then and now.
Eisenhower...the last good Republican President
I started cello at age 3, probably played similarly at 7 as him as probably most 7 y/o cellists, But what is amazing is how he exponentially improved over time. Whereas I went from 1 to 10, he went 1 to 10,000.
I think I learned more about yoyoma in this video than I did in orchestra class. I didn't know he was THIS old and famous practically his whole life
the lift of the sisterly eyebrow..."and were off"! Beautiful music from talented and dedicated musicians!!!
I never saw or knew of this--what a wonderful "present"! Thank you--He really was a child prodigy ! How very lucky we are as a nation to have this talent in our country! Bravo!
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
I love this clip. Been a Yo-Yo Ma fan for so long. A true man of the world. He did Bach's 6 cello suites live on his own without a conductor or sheet music. You have to have the brain the size of Jupiter to even contemplate doing that wtf. He's an awesome individual. He also plays blue grass too so I like him even more. Just love watching his finger extensions in this clip at age 7. A giant of music and an awesome man.
I might be projecting. But to me, it seems as if he started out a bit nervous, and came across as cute. But then the music took him over and it became increasingly masterful. It went from being extraordinary because of his youth, to being simply enjoyable.
Both of these 2 precious youth were ready for the prime time!
He’s an outstanding person. I had the privilege on driving him and his wife to New York City… lovely and blessed family
52 years later still rocking the bow
I love how the host pronounced their names
The whole introduction is weird. They’re from France, born in France, immigrants from France - so the whole opportunity and freedom schtick is bizarre.
@@JohnOhkumaThiel It's a classic American bit
The host is Leonard Bernstein.
@@robertwalker2052 : That actually makes it worse! He should have known better.
@@JohnOhkumaThiel Oh please. Read social/cultural history.
My first time hearing about Yeou-Cheng Ma. She should play alongside her 'Yo-yo' more often🎹
They've made some albums together I think
These kids are pros!! They don't even look scare. What a gift to it is to be a talented musician. ❤️✨ So much respect Yo Yo
This is why I love YT recommendations!
What a beautiful piece of history!
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
Just watched a video of a much more recent Yo Yo....this kids turns out to be an absolutely delightful human being as an adult.
Older sister played piano so well too!
Appreciation of the arts and the betterment of humanity through it. A concept that the Kennedy administration held in high regard. It wasn't a perfect time, but a chance for this appreciation to be gathered and absorbed.
Ma is a treasure to the world!
They did so well! I didn't know his sister was musically talented too :)
Wow, this must have been mind blowing for JFK
i never knew Yo Yo Ma has been playing for so long. he's truly amazing.
Yo-Yo Ma so talented,
he can play an entire concerto on cello at 7-years-old
From memory. Note that there is no music stand in front of him.
it’s not a concerto
I am in awe of how talented Ma has *always* been. Wow.
Once in a generation talent! ❤❤❤
Wow yoyo ma does not look like he would be this old
WOOHOO!!! get em' Yo-Yo and sister Yeou-Cheng!!! 🤗👏🏾🤗👏🏾🤗👏🏾
Yo-Yo was just following big sis' direction on this one. Props go to Yeou- Cheng!
There was a time when life seemed far more civil making for these sort of heart warming inclusive moments.
Dang, I think I was fully potty trained when I was 7! He and his sister are so talented!
I feel like I am live in the room when I am playing this video. Totally superb. Well done Prodigy Yoyoma! 👍👏
So many likes!!!?
Yeah yeah yeah I'm smiling everyone Cheer For YOYOMa! #cheerforyoyoma
the baby cello and baby cellist i can't 😭
omg i've seen this video before but only realized this time that he is playing FROM MEMORY
All musician has to play by memory, which is the easiest part😅
Of course it's a guitarist saying that lmao
@Philip Gregory, even though I agree with the sentiment, this seems to bother you maybe a bit more than it should...?
@Philip Gregory Orchestral players usually need the sheet music, mainly because it is not really a solo piece. They need all the other instruments to help bring out the glory. Any half decent performer. should be able to memorize solo repertoire for their instrument.
@Philip Gregory you're gonna gatekeep being a musician now lol?? What if they play flawlessly but need the visual aide? The visual aide isn't just notes, but any written remarks on how to phrase etc
Simply put, I prefer better played music, with or without sheets
Also orchestral musicians use sheet music for logistical reasons. No one's memorizing all their rests and having cues is much easier. Bowings etc must also be synchronized
Both so young and both so accomplished. Amazing!
7 years old. Wow! I have been listening his podcasts and his journey as a musician. My son loves listening Yo Yo Ma.
Wow that’s so beautiful. I cried the first time I saw this video
What a precious lil Yo Yo! 🥰
Leonard Bernstein! Brilliant!
both such fine musicians. What a treat!
Absolutely amazing for such a young age musician and also for his sister, who must have been playing with him since his revelation to the American and the World. Teresa
I met him in 1998. He was a patient at our office in Boston to get his eyes checked. I have never met a nicer more congenial and humble man.
Thank you, LB, Yo-Yo and You-Cheng for this beautiful gift of music
Amazing!!!!!!
As great a cellist he is, he also a great person.
I can’t get over how good this emcee is!
Soooo cute. Yo Yo Ma has beautiful hands. They are so happy inside. Admiration.
Thank you for this 💜💜💜
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL.🙏🏾❤🙏🏾c
How simply yet complex melody thank you for posting
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
As much as I adore Yoyo Ma, the performance of the two siblings is not the most noteworthy part of this clip. The words of Leonard Bernstein reveal a stark contrast against today’s attitudes regarding immigration and its significant impact on American culture.
No. Bernstein was implicitly addressing LEGAL immigration. Not what’s happening now under Biden.
@@jessewolf7649 you may feel that way yourself, but I doubt Mr. Bernstein had any intent in differentiating between legal and non-legal immigration.
Do you think Leonard Bernstein gave a s#it whether or not the Ma family immigrated legally? No, he probably didn’t even bother with the thought. He cared only about the extraordinary nature of these particular children. Their legal status would not have changed that.
I don’t advocate for illegal immigration, neither does the Biden administration. You are being played.
It's beautiful thank you a lot and god bless
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
Yo Yo is now rated the number one cellist in the world
I was today years old when I found out that Yo-Yo Ma was a child prodigy
Beautiful introduction of these two amazing artist - let’s not forget that either👏🏼🗽🌟
I have seen Yo-Yo Ma perform in later years. Wonderful to come across this, gem!
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
I'm seeing this for the first time! Wonderful I did not know, all the very best to Yo-Yo Ma, the great vibe stays with me as I listen, pay attention to pure goodness it resets me
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
Absolutely adorable. What talent.
This was just beautiful
Wonderful!!!
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
This Yo-Yo Ma child is a great cellist, he should be a famous one when he grows up!
Amazing!
How fabulous that this was captured on tape for the ages.
How precious! Born to play the Cello.
Omg this awesome And yo yo ma helped our hospital in 2020 thank you. And wow child prodigy alway amazes me. I had guitar since I was 19 and struggle still ..,,,but we are all here fir a reason and thank you to this dude for bringing much joy during the pandemic ...a few nurses were listening to him today ...
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
Amazing, and now we have a culture that produces Rap, with all of its demeaning features.
This is giving me a Mandela effect that's surreal yet remarkable
Beautiful music & beautiful children. 💗🥰💗🥰💗
Hello how are you doing it’s nice meeting you here
@@johnmayer6533 No thank you. I think you’re an imposter.
너무 귀여우시다.
This man is a bigger than legend than I thought
Watching that kid be able to play at the level at his age really blew JFKs mind.