In addition to recordings of the standard classical repertoire, Ma has recorded a wide variety of folk music, such as American bluegrass music, traditional Chinese melodies, the tangos of Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, and Brazilian music. He has also collaborated with artists from a diverse range of genres, including Bobby McFerrin, Carlos Santana, Chris Botti, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Miley Cyrus, and Sting.
Ma has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2006. He has received numerous awards, including the Avery Fisher Prize in 1978, The Glenn Gould Prize in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011, Kennedy Center Honors in 2011, the Polar Music Prize in 2012, and the Birgit Nilsson Prize in 2022. He was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Aside from English, Ma is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and French.
Ma's primary performance instrument is the Davidov cello, made in 1712 by Antonio Stradivari
Ma's mother, Marina Lu, was a singer, and his father, Hiao-Tsiun Ma, was a violinist, composer and professor of music at Nanjing National Central University (now relocated in Taoyuan, Taiwan; predecessor of the present-day Nanjing University and Southeast University). They both migrated from the Republic of China to France during the Chinese Civil War. Ma's sister, Yeou-Cheng Ma, played the violin and piano professionally before obtaining a medical degree from Harvard and becoming a pediatrician. The family moved to New York City when Ma was seven.
From the age of three, Ma played the drums, violin, piano, and later viola, but settled on the cello in 1960 at age four. When three-year-old Yo-Yo said he wanted a big instrument, his father went to see Etienne Vatelot, a foremost violin maker in Paris who, after a chat, lent him a 1/16th cello. He jokes that his first choice was the double bass due to its large size, but he compromised and took up the cello instead. When his father realized that Yo-Yo was ready for a better teacher, a well-known cello instructor, Mme Michelle Lepinte, was selected. He began performing before audiences at age five and played for presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy when he was seven. At age eight, he appeared on American television with his sister in an event introduced by Leonard Bernstein. In 1964, Isaac Stern introduced them on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and they performed the Sonata of Sammartini. He attended Trinity School in New York but transferred to the Professional Children's School, where he graduated at age 15. He appeared as a soloist with the Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra in a performance of Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations.
Ma studied at the Juilliard School at age 19 with Leonard Rose and attended Columbia University, but dropped out. He later enrolled at Harvard College. Prior to entering Harvard, Ma played in the Marlboro Festival Orchestra under the direction of cellist, conductor and Ma’s childhood hero Pablo Casals. He spent four summers at the Marlboro Music Festival after meeting and falling in love with Mount Holyoke College sophomore and festival administrator Jill Hornor during his first summer there in 1972.
Even before that time, Ma gained fame and performed with many of the world's major orchestras. He has also played chamber music, often with pianist Emanuel Ax, with whom he has a close friendship from their days at Juilliard. Ma received his bachelor's degree in anthropology from Harvard in 1976, and in 1991 received an honorary doctorate from Harvard.
Yo-Yo Ma has been referred to by critics as "omnivorous" and possesses an eclectic repertoire. In addition to numerous recordings of the standard classical repertoire, he has recorded Baroque pieces using period instruments; American bluegrass music; traditional Chinese melodies, including the soundtrack to the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; the tangos of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla; Brazilian music, recording traditional and contemporary songs composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Pixinguinha; a collaboration with Bobby McFerrin (where Ma admitted to being terrified by McFerrin's improvisation); and the music of modern minimalist Philip Glass, in such works as the 2002 Naqoyqatsi.
Ma is known for his smooth, rich tone, soulful lyricism, and virtuosity. He released a cello recording of Niccolò Paganini's Caprice No. 24 for solo violin and Zoltán Kodály's Solo Sonata.
On May 1, 2019, he performed at Paranal Observatory in the Atacama desert. He said that his interest in astronomy motivated him to visit and perform there.
Ma's albums include recordings of cello concertos, sonatas for cello and piano, works for solo cello, and a variety of chamber music. He has also recorded in non-classical styles, notably in collaboration with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Carlos Santana, Chris Botti, Chris Thile, Diana Krall, James Taylor, Miley Cyrus and Sting.
A New Name... A New Life
Yo-Yo Ma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A light that will flicker up a flame on the mantle of mankind
What you'll find in this awestruck mind
Is more undefined than
What you could ever fantasize
Sun rays rain upon my young face
Dazzling display just like stars on a runway
Radiating such amazing beauty I could just gazeIt's bout to have me in a love phase
There's a flower on the front page of planet earth
It's about as glorious as the person that planted her
Catching dreams of evergreen even if trees should fall
It's just one of the wonders of life that's got me in awe
It's a brand new life
And with brand new eyes
I can write my own guide to the zeitgeist
Living in a brand new time
That are mine to design
The texture and the flavor of the now
Can only be felt can't be written down
What an epic epoch
What a beautiful milieu
I just wonder if you feel it too
Do you?
This land is filled with natural blessings
Such attractions are distracted by my adolescence
The sun sets and I'm enraptured by this foggy weather
Don't know whether I should welcome it or search for something better
I'm under pressure
This chemical imbalance stressful
I need a referee that's wedged between my brain when it wrestlesOne shakeup leaves me empty like when I'm etcha-sketching
I ask so many questions I even got Jeeves second guessing
But deep inside I can feel it, it's restless
A refreshing effervescence fed by button pressing
A tiny LED screen guides me through the dark
It's just one of the wonders of life that's got me in awe
It's a brand new life
And with brand new eyes
I can write my own guide to the zeitgeist
Living in a brand new time
A kaleidoscope of wild hopes and dreams
That are mine to design
The texture and the flavor of the now
Can only be felt can't be written down
What an epic epoch
What a beautiful milieu
I just wonder if you feel it too
Time lent me its legs and I've grown now
I can see above the storm clouds
I'm overjoyed and afraid and a little bit amazed it gives me nightmares
It gives me faith
People grow in mysterious ways
A chaotic slice of wildlife no jar can contain
But a heart's not the same
And no matter how far, far away
I will keep you right here in my frame
Thorns and petals spiral from my chest like a projector
Which direction they will vector in no human being can measure
What a testament to just the breadth of our imagination
It's the watercolor splash we're making on all of creation
A brand new beauty without flaw
A brand new challenge in our hands to solve
It makes a great big world feel small
It's just one of the wonders of life that's got me in awe
The lyrics of Yo-Yo Ma's song "A New Name...a New Life" express a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty and potential of life. The artist begins by describing a brand new life, a fresh start filled with possibilities. The line "A light that will flicker up a flame on the mantle of mankind" suggests that this new life has the power to ignite something remarkable and inspiring in humanity.
The lyrics go on to describe the breathtaking beauty of the world, comparing it to stars on a runway and a glorious flower on the front page of the planet. This imagery conveys a sense of astonishment and admiration for the wonders of nature. The artist also expresses a desire to capture and hold onto these moments of awe, asking if others can feel it too.
However, amidst the wonder, the artist acknowledges the challenges and pressures of life. The mention of adolescence and the struggles of a chemical imbalance suggest a sense of inner turmoil. Yet, there is also a sense of resilience and hope, symbolized by the LED screen that guides the artist through the dark. These difficulties are contrasted with the awe-inspiring moments that make life so wondrous.
As the song progresses, the artist reflects on growth and the complexities of human existence. The lyrics speak to both the fears and the joy that come with maturity. The metaphor of thorns and petals spiraling from the chest represents the dual nature of life, with its beauty and pain intertwined. It is a testament to the infinite possibilities and imagination that humanity possesses.
In summary, "A New Name...a New Life" is a song that celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of life and the potential for growth and change. It acknowledges the challenges and pressures of existence but ultimately emphasizes the beauty and wonder that can be found amidst it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe in a brand new life
Experience a fresh start and embrace new opportunities
A light that will flicker up a flame on the mantle of mankind
An inspiring spark that ignites the potential within all of humanity
What you'll find in this awestruck mind
The profound and limitless thoughts contained within this mesmerized mind
Is more undefined than
Cannot be fully described or limited
What you could ever fantasize
Surpassing even the wildest dreams and imaginations
Sun rays rain upon my young face
Sunlight gracefully illuminating my youthful countenance
Dazzling display just like stars on a runway
Mesmerizing spectacle akin to stars shining on a celestial path
Radiating such amazing beauty I could just gaze
Exuding an awe-inspiring beauty that captivates my unwavering attention
It's bout to have me in a love phase
Swept away in a state of love and adoration
There's a flower on the front page of planet earth
A magnificent flower symbolizing the beautiful essence of our world
It's about as glorious as the person that planted her
The splendor of the flower reflects the remarkable qualities of its caretaker
Catching dreams of evergreen even if trees should fall
Nurturing everlasting dreams of growth despite obstacles and challenges
It's just one of the wonders of life that's got me in awe
An extraordinary phenomenon that fills me with astonishment and admiration
It's a brand new life
Embracing a fresh start and a new way of living
And with brand new eyes
Viewing the world with a fresh perspective and clarity
I can write my own guide to the zeitgeist
Crafting a personal narrative that captures the spirit of the times
Living in a brand new time
Existing in an era of novelty and possibility
That are mine to design
Taking ownership of shaping my own destiny
The texture and the flavor of the now
The intricate details and unique essence of the present moment
Can only be felt can't be written down
The true essence can only be experienced and not fully expressed in words
What an epic epoch
A remarkable and defining era
What a beautiful milieu
An exquisite and harmonious environment
I just wonder if you feel it too
Curiosity about whether others share the same profound sentiments
This land is filled with natural blessings
The earth is abundant with innate gifts and wonders
Such attractions are distracted by my adolescence
The beauty of nature is often overlooked due to youth and inexperience
The sun sets and I'm enraptured by this foggy weather
Feeling captivated and enchanted by the mystical atmosphere during sunset
Don't know whether I should welcome it or search for something better
Uncertainty regarding whether to embrace the current situation or seek improvement
I'm under pressure
Feeling overwhelmed and burdened by external forces
This chemical imbalance stressful
The imbalance of emotions and mental states causing distress
I need a referee that's wedged between my brain when it wrestles
Desiring an intermediary to mediate conflicting thoughts and emotions
One shakeup leaves me empty like when I'm etcha-sketching
A single disruption causing a sense of emptiness and loss, similar to erasing an Etch A Sketch
I ask so many questions I even got Jeeves second guessing
Inquisitiveness leading to even an all-knowing advisor doubting their own knowledge
But deep inside I can feel it, it's restless
A profound restlessness and yearning that resides within the depths of my being
A refreshing effervescence fed by button pressing
A rejuvenating fizz of excitement fueled by the act of pushing buttons
A tiny LED screen guides me through the dark
A small illuminated screen providing guidance and illumination in times of darkness
It's just one of the wonders of life that's got me in awe
One of the many awe-inspiring aspects of life that fills me with wonder
Time lent me its legs and I've grown now
Given the gift of time, I have matured and developed
I can see above the storm clouds
Able to rise above difficulties and gain a broader perspective
I'm overjoyed and afraid and a little bit amazed it gives me nightmares
Experiencing simultaneous emotions of happiness, fear, and astonishment that even manifest in dreams
It gives me faith
It instills a strong belief and trust in something greater
People grow in mysterious ways
Individuals develop and evolve in unpredictable and enigmatic manners
A chaotic slice of wildlife no jar can contain
The unpredictable and vibrant nature of life cannot be restricted or controlled
But a heart's not the same
The essence of a person cannot be confined or limited
And no matter how far, far away
Regardless of the distance or remoteness
I will keep you right here in my frame
I will cherish and hold you close within my memories
Thorns and petals spiral from my chest like a projector
Emotions of pain and beauty radiate from within like a projection
Which direction they will vector in no human being can measure
The unpredictable paths and outcomes that emotions may take cannot be foreseen or quantified
What a testament to just the breadth of our imagination
A testament to the vastness and creativity of our minds
It's the watercolor splash we're making on all of creation
The impact and influence we have on the world, resembling a vivid watercolor painting
A brand new beauty without flaw
A flawless and pristine beauty that is unprecedented
A brand new challenge in our hands to solve
A fresh and demanding challenge that requires our attention and problem-solving skills
It makes a great big world feel small
It creates a sense of intimacy and interconnectedness in a vast and expansive world
It's just one of the wonders of life that's got me in awe
One of the many awe-inspiring aspects of life that fills me with wonder
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Matteo Iadonisi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind