He brings so much beauty to the world, not only with his playing, but just for who he is. He's one of my heroes, and a humble one at that. He refuses to judge competitions because, in his own words, " Who am I to judge anyone's self-expression?" He is one of those rare artists who don't demand one to worship his talent at his feet, but to experience the soul of the music along with him. Hearing him play this piece moves me to tears every time.
he plays this piece perfectly. He's not trying to impress the audience with his skills by adding unnecessary flourish's, and abrievations, he understands the purity of the song, and concentrates on subtle changes in dynamics. THAT in my opinion takes true skill, and is rare to find in the music world.
the thing that makes yo yo ma’s playing so beautiful is the way he shows emotion, he’s not afraid to embrace the way he feels when he plays, most people are afraid they’ll do a face or look dumb. but yo yo ma makes love to the strings and shows his no remorse to playing the way he does. the tears that fall from his cheek are genuine, there’s few pieces that can make you feel so much yet you’re trapped in a secluded hole filled with all the emotions that find themselves down in the hole with you
Dropping to almost pianissimo at the beginning of the recapitulation (2:06) was brilliant. It was almost as if the swan had said its farewell, and that the repeated melody was just an echo of what came before, but then he swoops back in and crescendos to (and on!) that high B (2:33), taking three whole bows! One last moment of glory, before, in earnest this time, resigning to fate. I think that Saint-Saens truly intended for this to be a "swan song" in the sense of having to come to terms with the passing of time and the inevitable end of something beautiful. For me, Yo-Yo Ma captured that interpretation beautifully.
This music seems from another world. Yo-Yo Ma is so sublime, look at his face, it's wonderful, as if going into trance. I love all his music, I love him.
he is not looking at his cello, he is feeling the music and seems to be in another world, such powerful emotions and so beautiful. I think it is the best recording ever. I could almost say he is making love to his cello, and I mean no disrespect with this comment, only high praise for the emotion he shows and conveys to the audience
Wow. Just wow. I've played cello for years and never once has a piece touched me so emotionally before. I've never had music bring physical tears to my eyes before. The way he builds up and gently touches that fragile note at :30 is just unexplainably beautiful. This is truly remarkable music.
i've played cello for 7 years by now. I'm graduating this spring. I'm so glad I got the chance to play this magnificent piece as a part of my exam piece.
I really love this... his eyes are closed virtually the whole time... I wonder what glorious vision his eyes were blessed with as he played this. I imagine even a glimpse would give me eternal tears.
I like yo-yo ma’s version the most. He put music above himself. He is green leaves and his cello and his music is his star. He is the humble leaves around the star.
I've heard this piece played many ways, but this one is my absolute favorite. There is just something about the harp and strings background to his cello. Violin with piano is nice, but this is, IMHO, the best I've ever heard.
Absolutely beautiful. I saw him play when he was only 19 years old, and was stunned by how powerful his music was and he continues to get better. What a fantastic gift. I love it.
I'm here because Hyung Oppa recommends to check this recording out. Dear fellow Ling Ling wannabes, I love you guys **forming heart shapes with my thumbs and point fingers**
Especially at 2:23 i have never seen someone so passionate and so deep into their music. This part makes me feel a feeling that I cannot describe in words. I don’t know, tender and warm. It feels like something I would hear when I fall in love. Felt deeply connected to this piece because of its delicacy and its because it’s so elegant yet so powerful. Yo Yo Ma’s version of The Swan is one of my favorites and he should get more recognition. It’s incredibly beautiful.
There is something so life assuring in watching someone beautifully perform a beautiful piece of music, and then to top it off, have an audience respond with appreciation. I find myself wishing I could hear the applause go on and on.
I was sitting in the front row of Jordan Hall in Boston Massachusetts, and heard Yo-Yo Ma play this same beautiful solo. Met him in person while he was getting his bow rehaired at a music store in Boston on another occasion. Very down-to-earth, nice person.
The Swan must be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, I've heard and played it for around 60 years and never get tired of it. Thank you Camille and Yo-yo
I fully agree, Oh how joyful I became, hearing and watching him as he performs the notes of tears as I sit and listen with tears. How wonderful your sound, your expressions makes this Video a God sent.
only if you have the muse in your soul can you relate to what he is feeling- a satori/nirvana that feeling of immersion. An awesome unbelievably talented person more so because he's willing to share with us........
This man plays with such feeling- this music reaches into my very soul and ..... there are no words to express how I feel. So very very beautiful. Thank you
Having learned more about Yo-Yo Ma recently through interviews, I've discovered that he is humble and very open to working with other artists. When he does this, he listens intensely to them and seems to follow their lead. In this piece, I see him as the instrument through which the music is reborn.
My 30 year old daughter's brother-in-law, another great cellist, played this piece at her memorial service nearly seven years ago. He played The Swan because it represented so much of who my daughter was. It moved me as much as anything has ever moved me that day and any day I hear it...still
I love how it's a bit slower than you want it to be, the resolution of the sus chords comes just a bit later than you want it, leaving you longing for it, which is exactly the sentiment I associate with the swan! Brilliant writing and execution!
can we also appreciate how well the conductor facilitated his rubato here. the guy was locked in mas subtle change of tempo allowing the whole orchestra to stretch the beats with him in just the right places. beautiful
Wonderful! Only great musicians can play in such a slow tempo, because is much more difficult to keep a continuous legato playing. It is more intense and deep than if he would use a faster tempo.
My Father bought me Carnival of the Animals when I was eight, that was nearly fifty years ago, he would play it and ask me to guess the animals, I never could, and he would become mystified that I didn’t appreciate the music,,, I am sat here now and this is the tune I remember most,, my Father passed away last year,,, I have tears in my eyes and wish that he could be here with me now,, so that I could tell him,,,I understand.
There’s a huge difference in how he plays it now than back then. Back then it’s like he’s reciting the story word for word . Now it’s like he’s showing you his own story
Beautiful piece for the most beautiful instrument in the world. It captures the cello's soul. Beautifully played. It was the piece that made me choose the cello when I was ten.
Loved this piece as a child. Love it even more when Yo-Yo Ma plays it. Will love it yet more if I ever get to hear him play it in person. Divine. Heavenly. Thank you Yo-Yo Ma, and thank you Nodame 2006 for posting it.
this brings tears to my eyes. the most beautiful song in the world, created by pure human love (no, not autotune). this has inspired me to pick up my cello and pursue my dreams once more. good luck to everyone pursuing their dream.
The elegance of the Swan moving on the lake slowly initiating farewell to 'life' is very well interpreted by Yo-Yo. Great expression in his hands and face emphasised the birds sophisticated movement. Lovely.
He brings so much beauty to the world, not only with his playing, but just for who he is. He's one of my heroes, and a humble one at that. He refuses to judge competitions because, in his own words, " Who am I to judge anyone's self-expression?" He is one of those rare artists who don't demand one to worship his talent at his feet, but to experience the soul of the music along with him. Hearing him play this piece moves me to tears every time.
What a beautiful comment =)
Real Great
Whenever I feel sad and alone I listen to this. I then cry happy tears instead of sad ones.
Me too
I'm in tears right now. I can not describe how beautiful Yo-Yo Ma plays the cello.
+Cyanea Yes, it's a beautiful performance. I always find the phrases at 1:43 where the piece flows from a C-sharp to a B transcendent and haunting.
+Cyanea I right there with you.
Ikr
he plays this piece perfectly. He's not trying to impress the audience with his skills by adding unnecessary flourish's, and abrievations, he understands the purity of the song, and concentrates on subtle changes in dynamics. THAT in my opinion takes true skill, and is rare to find in the music world.
the thing that makes yo yo ma’s playing so beautiful is the way he shows emotion, he’s not afraid to embrace the way he feels when he plays, most people are afraid they’ll do a face or look dumb. but yo yo ma makes love to the strings and shows his no remorse to playing the way he does. the tears that fall from his cheek are genuine, there’s few pieces that can make you feel so much yet you’re trapped in a secluded hole filled with all the emotions that find themselves down in the hole with you
I love his tempo...only a great one could take such loving care of each and every note to present the whole of this beautiful piece. Magnificent.
Dropping to almost pianissimo at the beginning of the recapitulation (2:06) was brilliant. It was almost as if the swan had said its farewell, and that the repeated melody was just an echo of what came before, but then he swoops back in and crescendos to (and on!) that high B (2:33), taking three whole bows! One last moment of glory, before, in earnest this time, resigning to fate. I think that Saint-Saens truly intended for this to be a "swan song" in the sense of having to come to terms with the passing of time and the inevitable end of something beautiful. For me, Yo-Yo Ma captured that interpretation beautifully.
If I'm not mistaken, the pianissimo is written on the paper.
i agree, but i think it took him 4 whole bows
Eric Lee he took three on the whole note B, but there is another quarter note right after of that same B which was the 4th bow you talked about
Saint-Saens indicated that in the score. It diminuendos from mp to p in the space of one (six-beat) measure.
One of my favorites classical works.
198 8年在香港🇭🇰有幸欣賞他的演奏會 全程投入 忘我境界 牽動現塲每一個人的每一個音樂細胞 越高山落低谷 無比的滿足和讃嘆 一生難忘‼️💪🏻👍絕世大師演繹能力🥰👍👍👍
This music seems from another world.
Yo-Yo Ma is so sublime, look at his face, it's wonderful, as if going into trance.
I love all his music, I love him.
Ah! - but yes it is from another world!
Yeah. It’s from china. We need to make American music great again!
he is not looking at his cello, he is feeling the music and seems to be in another world, such powerful emotions and so beautiful. I think it is the best recording ever. I could almost say he is making love to his cello, and I mean no disrespect with this comment, only high praise for the emotion he shows and conveys to the audience
actaully i think he is looking at the conductor... lol
@@taylorindustries Absolutely not. His soul and the cello became one, the conductor follows him.
Wow. Just wow. I've played cello for years and never once has a piece touched me so emotionally before. I've never had music bring physical tears to my eyes before. The way he builds up and gently touches that fragile note at :30 is just unexplainably beautiful.
This is truly remarkable music.
Exquisite! Yo Yo Ma's genius is spellbinding. So fortunate to be living during his time and be able to hear him play. Thank you SO much!!!
This is absolutely amazing. This is how The Swan should be played. Breathtakingly beautiful.
i've played cello for 7 years by now. I'm graduating this spring. I'm so glad I got the chance to play this magnificent piece as a part of my exam piece.
My most favorite classical piece, since my earliest childhood. I love the harp accompany and Yo Yo Ma does such justice to the song.
This makes me cry, its so beautiful
I really love this... his eyes are closed virtually the whole time... I wonder what glorious vision his eyes were blessed with as he played this. I imagine even a glimpse would give me eternal tears.
thought the same thing
Barron Lacy probably the back of his eylids
LUCAS SANCHEZ RIESGO They are closed.
Musician don't "see" anything when they play, they hear what they are playing, and if playing with others, hear them as well.
I like yo-yo ma’s version the most. He put music above himself. He is green leaves and his cello and his music is his star. He is the humble leaves around the star.
Just to realize that this piece was played as an encore reminds me what true passion for an instrument or any discipline feels like
he is a true artist that shows emotion and connects with the music.
How he plays is so emotional, and that smile at the end just shows how much he loved playing.
I've heard this piece played many ways, but this one is my absolute favorite. There is just something about the harp and strings background to his cello. Violin with piano is nice, but this is, IMHO, the best I've ever heard.
Very few people will ever play it as beautiful as Yo-Yo Ma did here
Incredible performance! The man gave his soul to produce that.
Absolutely beautiful. I saw him play when he was only 19 years old, and was stunned by how powerful his music was and he continues to get better. What a fantastic gift. I love it.
I'm here because Hyung Oppa recommends to check this recording out. Dear fellow Ling Ling wannabes, I love you guys **forming heart shapes with my thumbs and point fingers**
Tri Via same hereee 🙋🏻♀️
Hello fellow Ling Ling wannabe!!
❤
LING LING GANG
Oh, I’m also in the smoll hand gang ;-;
Especially at 2:23 i have never seen someone so passionate and so deep into their music. This part makes me feel a feeling that I cannot describe in words. I don’t know, tender and warm. It feels like something I would hear when I fall in love. Felt deeply connected to this piece because of its delicacy and its because it’s so elegant yet so powerful. Yo Yo Ma’s version of The Swan is one of my favorites and he should get more recognition. It’s incredibly beautiful.
How much more recognition could he get? The entire world knows who he is and what he does.
There is something so life assuring in watching someone beautifully perform a beautiful piece of music, and then to top it off, have an audience respond with appreciation. I find myself wishing I could hear the applause go on and on.
The People Who LIVE the Music...!
@yoyomamusic007
I was sitting in the front row of Jordan Hall in Boston Massachusetts, and heard Yo-Yo Ma play this same beautiful solo. Met him in person while he was getting his bow rehaired at a music store in Boston on another occasion. Very down-to-earth, nice person.
Now I'm in dream land. Such a beautiful performance of the most beautiful composition of music, "The Swan" Thank you.
So beautiful! I will never be able to play this piece like this! He is a legend! I am such a fan of him! He really brings a tear to my eye!
This is so beautiful and moving. Damn allergies flaring up again
I've heard this particular Saint-Saëns piece many a times; this performance brought me to tears....
He's one of the greatest artists who were given from God to us.
He's wonderful. we feel how the swan die :)
The Swan must be one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, I've heard and played it for around 60 years and never get tired of it. Thank you Camille and Yo-yo
Not bad, not bad at all. I wager this guy will make a name for himself, someday.
He is world renowned and loved by many. So I guess he did make a name for himself haha
you think???? ROFL!
bromixsr, I think your wager just might be a winner. We will just have to wait and see... :-) 12/17/2014
he's arguably the best cellist alive...
Goofball - ahahahahhahaha
This is such a beautiful song, and beautiful performance. It's breathtaking!
So touching, so beautiful.
What a sublime sentiment with which Yo-Yo-Ma plays, he brings the Sky to Earth for our utmost enjoyment. Thank you.
This song affects me like none other. I can't imagine hearing it in a great hall with fantastic acoustics.
I fully agree, Oh how joyful I became, hearing and watching him as he performs the notes of tears as I sit and listen with tears. How wonderful your sound, your expressions makes this Video a God sent.
only if you have the muse in your soul can you relate to what he is feeling- a satori/nirvana that feeling of immersion. An awesome unbelievably talented person more so because he's willing to share with us........
How could one not love this piece of music and this fabulous interpretation...
So much in love with this cello performance! :)
That was insane! it's beyond words. So beautiful
Amazing performance.
One of the most beautiful pieces ever written good job
Devin Alcantara Oh! Yes! I agree that it is one of the most beautiful pieces ever written!
He didn’t write it
This wonderful piece of music played by Yo-Yo Ma sent chills running down my spine.
It’s amazing that the quality of the recording doesn’t take away from the beauty of the piece
This man plays with such feeling- this music reaches into my very soul and ..... there are no words to express how I feel. So very very beautiful. Thank you
feels like he is “stroking” the feathers of the Swan with bow of his cello 💓
Magnificent! This is what perfection sounds like.
Having learned more about Yo-Yo Ma recently through interviews, I've discovered that he is humble and very open to working with other artists. When he does this, he listens intensely to them and seems to follow their lead. In this piece, I see him as the instrument through which the music is reborn.
My 30 year old daughter's brother-in-law, another great cellist, played this piece at her memorial service nearly seven years ago. He played The Swan because it represented so much of who my daughter was. It moved me as much as anything has ever moved me that day and any day I hear it...still
So beautiful!
I love how it's a bit slower than you want it to be, the resolution of the sus chords comes just a bit later than you want it, leaving you longing for it, which is exactly the sentiment I associate with the swan! Brilliant writing and execution!
This guy is God made person ! What sensitivity he can put in every note ! Bravo ! Bravissimo ! Super bravo !
Only Jesus is God in person.......Don't get carried away
Wonderful! I don't want to compare, because I believe he is incomparable.
what's wrong with his face? it's pure emotion!! some people really have feelings, some just don't... It's absolutely lovely.
Excellent video!!! Marvelous music!!!!
"Music " A reflection of the Soul..
MERVEILLEUX !! magnifique musique de CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS , merci beaucoup
something other worldly about this one
can we also appreciate how well the conductor facilitated his rubato here. the guy was locked in mas subtle change of tempo allowing the whole orchestra to stretch the beats with him in just the right places. beautiful
0:28 that was so beautiful! The way he softens that note sounds like Callas singing.
I love the way he feels the music! Beautiful!
Wonderful! Only great musicians can play in such a slow tempo, because is much more difficult to keep a continuous legato playing. It is more intense and deep than if he would use a faster tempo.
Também concordo Norah.
Norah de Almeida
You are correct. I play two instruments and that is the thing I struggle with most. I can't keep a continuous tempo
So wonderful!!! Great performance!!Thank you!!
Love this. I don't care who plays The Swan. I love it.
Here's someone else playing it: The Swan (Le cygne)
Deep, serene and romantic... Yoyo May it's the perfect cellist for this. The Celo vibrates deep inside our soul. Thanks for sharing this beaty.
This is what keeps me reminding we are human
My Father bought me Carnival of the Animals when I was eight, that was nearly fifty years ago, he would play it and ask me to guess the animals, I never could, and he would become mystified that I didn’t appreciate the music,,, I am sat here now and this is the tune I remember most,, my Father passed away last year,,, I have tears in my eyes and wish that he could be here with me now,, so that I could tell him,,,I understand.
There’s a huge difference in how he plays it now than back then. Back then it’s like he’s reciting the story word for word . Now it’s like he’s showing you his own story
Beautiful piece for the most beautiful instrument in the world. It captures the cello's soul. Beautifully played. It was the piece that made me choose the cello when I was ten.
WOW! Brilliant Performance!!!
Loved this piece as a child. Love it even more when Yo-Yo Ma plays it. Will love it yet more if I ever get to hear him play it in person. Divine. Heavenly. Thank you Yo-Yo Ma, and thank you Nodame 2006 for posting it.
Köszönöm, drága Irina! További szép estét!
merci pour ce réel ,instant de bonheur . joël Caplain - Frechet
I just had a 3 minute and 44 second dream of nothing.
this brings tears to my eyes. the most beautiful song in the world, created by pure human love (no, not autotune). this has inspired me to pick up my cello and pursue my dreams once more. good luck to everyone pursuing their dream.
Wordless ! He seems to play the cello with his soul.
Sorrow, hope, comfort and many other subtle feelings. This is the first time I have heard this man play. Such an impeccable piece. Thank you.
Fantastisch!!!!
Thank you so much dear Yo-Yo!!!!!!
This man really feels the music and it shows... absolutely angelic....
This song sends a thousands arrows through my heart, for the likes of me, I do not know why!
Talented YoYo,and his Stradivarius cello...heavenly!.
Pure perfection!
Ikr
The elegance of the Swan moving on the lake slowly initiating farewell to 'life' is very well interpreted by Yo-Yo. Great expression in his hands and face emphasised the birds sophisticated movement. Lovely.
Well, with this video, folks 500 years from now will know how it can NEVER be played any better, by any human.
This is so beautiful!! I can see a swan swimming in a pond with its babies
Wow! What a beautiful piece played in such emotional depth! Bravo!!! 🙌🏼❤🎉Merry Christmas!
it is beautiful and relaxing😍😍😍😍
Perfect and beautiful performance of the Swan by Saint Saens! Thank you Yo-Yo Ma.
Great , Great Performance. One the best I ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Breath Taking, so beautiful⚘
DAM HE IS AWSOME,,ONE OF THE BEST,,,,,,,
One of the best? He IS the best!
+sudler2008 Some others can give a run for his money, dude, like Pablo Casals or Emanuel Feuermann.
He’s playing on our heart strings. I tear every time I listen to this.
Thank you TwoSet.
This is so incredibly amazing...NO ONE plays this like him