Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Prélude from Suite No. 1 in G Major for Cello, BWV 1007
2. II. Largo from "Winter", Op. 8, No. 4, RV 297 from the Four Seasons
3. Jesus, bleibet meine Freude (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring), BWV 147
4. Schafe können sicher weiden (Sheep May Safely Graze), BWV 208
5. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Sleepers Awake), BWV 645
6. The Swan from Carnival of the Animals (Chamber Version)
7. Havanaise, Op. 83
8. Méditation from Thaïs
9. Liebesfreud Instrumental
10. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso from Three Preludes
11. Vocalise Vocal
12. IV. Allegro from Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
13. Andante Cantabile for Cello Solo and String Orchestra, Op. posth.
14. IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto from Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 25
15. III. Finale. Allegro moderato from Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104

Disc 2:

1. Cristal
2. A lenda do caboclo
3. Chega de Saudade Live
4. Wapango Live
5. Libertango
6. Appalachia Waltz Solo Cello Version
7. Butterfly's Day Out
8. 1B
9. Pickin' from Three Pieces for Solo Cello
10. Simple Gifts
11. The Mission
12. Gabriel's Oboe
13. The Falls Album Version
14. The Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
15. The Cellist of Sarajevo - A Lament in Rondo Form for Solo 'Cello, Op. 12
16. Chi passa per'sta strada
17. Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional)
18. Mohini (Enchantment)
19. Baroque in Rhythm from Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
20. Anything Goes Instrumental
21. I Could Have Danced All Night Extended version

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3206 in Music
• Released on: 2005-08-16
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com
Here are three dozen pieces of music, all played by Yo-Yo Ma, culled from his extensive discography. Aside from the technical mastery and beautiful tone that are absolutes in all of his playing, one is dazzled by his curiosity and ability to adapt to so many forms and types of music. His Bach and Vivaldi are pellucid and played with non-sentimental crispness, his tango music gritty and rhythmically pungent, his jazz seemingly spontaneous, the "Meditation" from Thais simply ravishing, "Anything Goes" a romp, and the Appalachian music performed with both respect and a great twang, while the traditional Chinese music is fascinating. It's really a matter of how much Ma loves whatever he plays here, how entirely he becomes involved in it, and what a fine partner he invariably is to other musicians. This collection is a doozy--it is truly "essential." --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Far More Than a Potpourri
Not being a fan of 'best of' or 'highlights' recordings which always seem to be a commercial re-hash of successful records gathered for increased monetary drivers, this 2 CD collection of THE ESSENTIAL YO-YO MA did not immediately appeal. But for some reason it became part of the library and now this listener is so touched by this collection that a review is merited.

Not that this generous sampling of 36 works has not been available before, and to the purists the excerpts may be annoyingly programmed. But the true beauty of this remarkable album is that it captures the humanity of Ma's spirit and that presence makes each band go beyond the technical finesse and into the heart of the musician.

Included in this collection are works for solo cello (especially Bach), for cello and piano, cello and voice (in an eerily transcendent 'Vocalise' of Rachmaninoff), cello and chamber ensemble, cello and orchestra, and cello and folk instruments. There are works form his Morricone album, his foray into the Appalachian series, the Tango series, the jazz series, single items like the Méditation from Thaïs, The Swan from Carnival of the Animals, and finally selections from the Silk Road album. The joy here is not just the variety of music, it is the complete devotion to each form of music that makes Ma the universal classical musician he has become.

For more in depth listening of your favorite bands on this collection you may turn to the original recordings, but for the casual listener - and those who always thought recordings like this were less than satisfactory (!) - this remarkable collection has universal appeal and pays homage to Yo-Yo Ma the brilliant cellist and the Humanist. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

The title of the album says it all
If you've been meaning to buy something of Yo-Yo Ma's for years now, but never got around to it, or if you own a few albums but wish you had more - this collection is perfect!

Not for the hard-core fan or collector, the Essential series is still fantastic for more casual fans.

Pieces from Bach, his Appalachian CDs, show tunes, film scores, traditional Chinese tunes - this collection of 35 pieces is a wonderful smattering of Ma's wide-ranging career.

No new recordings are included here, but since Ma has put out more than 70 CDs, it's difficult to own them all (or even most). This collection is a good start.

Great place to start with the Cello
This is a great CD to be introduced to some of the finest cello pieces and playing. As one of the most beautiful instruments by played by the best Cellist today, you can't miss.