Yo Yo Ma - Bach Six Cello Suites - BBC Proms 2015

it's amazing he can do all this with out even moving. yo yo ma is a true legend

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For those of you who want to skip the beginning: He starts playing at 3:51.

I wish the people commenting here could have been there that night. The Royal Albert Hall, which packs in nearly 6,000 for a sold-out Prom such as this, was almost completely silent for virtually the whole concert (which is rare, believe me; you hear the occasional cough here but the Radio 3 mics make them sound more obtrusive than they actually were). I had mixed feelings about attending; though I've heard the suites many times on recordings, I was afraid that being forced to sit through all six and pay attention only to them might be, dare I say it, a bit boring, or make me restless. But I was totally transfixed. It was a transcendent experience, one that comes across only partially on this recording. We know very little about the Cello Suites – why Bach (who was above all a master keyboardist) wrote them, for whom, or exactly when, even whether he intended them for public performance. Until Casals recorded them in 1936-39 (after nearly 50 years of studying and performing them), they had scarcely been heard. Amazing to think of now, when a concert running well over 2 hours, till nearly midnight ,is sold out just on the strength of them – and of course Ma's reputation as an interpreter of them.

I was in hospital. I'd checked in because of chest pain, sat around waiting for results of blood samples. I'd taken my transistor radio in and turned it on to find this was being broadcast. Lifted my spirits I can tell you. As it happens it was just indigestion that had caused the chest pain. I later lifted this off the BBC radio iPlayer. I listen to it all the time at work.

He plays so fast it's as if he's standing still!

Apparently Bach didn't include in these compositions, any indication of tempo or dynamics; so I notice considerable variation in interpretation by different cellists. In nearly every movement, I prefer Yo Yo Ma's interpretation. In spite of the technical demands of these suites, which Yo Yo meets to near perfection, he never loses sight of tone. His interpretation and technique are such that one need not worry about the cellist; rather one is transported to pure appreciation of the music itself, of Bach's genius, nay inspiration; and pure appreciation of what a cello is capable of in the right hands! So, here we may savor and treasure two of the greatest musicians--composer and performer--truly in concert before our eyes, ears, and minds!

About 6 months ago, we had the privilege of seeing Yo Yo Ma perform this live at the Hollywood Bowl. I have been to many concerts across all genres. I have seen brilliant performances. There was nothing, absolutely NOTHING, that compares to this. To see a lone, tiny man sit on a huge stage with his cello (No sheet music) in front of thousands and thousands of speechless listeners and literally hypnotize them for 3 hours is something I will NEVER forget. It wasn't a concert, it was an experience. If you have the opportunity to see this, DO NOT pass it up! It's unforgettable!

Saw him play this at the 18,000 seat LA Hollywood Bowl last night. It was a once-in-a-lifetime incredible concert. Audience was very quiet and attentive. And for a short encore, he played Pablo Casal's favorite - the lovely 'Song of the Birds'. It was an unforgettable evening. I don't know of another classical musician who could have commanded the rapt attention of that many people. Truly splendid evening!

Three hours of Yo yo Ma playing Bach. It doesn't get much better than this.

Thank you, Abraham Wu, for posting Yo Yo Ma's wonderous works. I am an abstract expressionist painter and play this post over and over and over again while I am painting. Recenly, something very good has happened to me since I began listening to this rare performance ..... I am calm, happy and energic ... and, have broken through to a new level in my works.

I am honoured to say I was there...I feel very blessed

I was fortunate enough to be at the Royal Albert Hall for this performance. It was truly mesmerising and quite awesome to be in the presence of such a maestro. Food for the soul. Thank you BBC for supporting the Proms.

Saw him several years ago when he soloed at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate NY. The sound of his cello live was truly something you must hear in-person to appreciate.

Dear yo yo MA I'm grieving alone , but you make it possible to stay with my mother's memory and not to feel lonely , thank you!

Whilst there many very talented cellists, Yo-Yo Ma's style is captivating. The fluent notes really makes you think and as I have heard many times before, Music is not only a language or an art, it's a devotion you are willing to give your life to. It is incredible to think that a beautiful instrument such as a violin and cello can bring you so much recognition and yet some people play just out of pure passion. Music is a life style. It is an art. Music, is magical . . .

The cello playing is spectacular. I also absolutely love the announcer's enthusiasm :D

Every time I listen to the first suite, I am reminded of my late brother. Thanks for sharing.

Legitimately crying by myself in my room listening to how beautiful this is, how beautiful the cello is, and how beautiful music is. It is such an amazing gift to have. I used to play piano classically when I was young and stopped for several reasons but oh how I miss it so much. I wish I would have been brave enough to take a chance and stick with my passion for music and not have chosen a degree in something that is not my first passion. I truly look up to and am inspired by musicians who take leaps of faith to reach their dream in music where a job isn't necessarily a stable 8am to 5pm workload and never stop even if it might mean failing and going through bumpy roads to get there.