From Tap Milwaukee:
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on Monday evening, receiving a cheering, standing ovation for his performance of the Dvořák Cello Concerto and for his encore, a solo performance of the folk tune “Song of the Birds.”
Ma gave an absolutely riveting performance of the Dvořák, moving from big, ringing sounds to focused, crystalline pianissimos. He played with the technical ease one expects from him, along with beautifully sculpted phrases and a heart-on-sleeve musicality.
The evening opened with de Waart and the orchestra giving a powerful performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.
Warm, colorful sounds, artfully shaped phrases, and constant attention to interior lines and balance between instruments and sections, created a musical through-line that gave each note context in a journey through the piece.
The audience was still standing and cheering when the lights came up to signify the end of the evening.
Monday’s concert at the Marcus Center was offered in memoriam for former MSO principal cellist Ronald Shawger, who passed away in October.
Read full story at Tap Milwaukee
