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.
The Eternal
Yo-Yo Ma Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Они все повторяют как я одет
Я в постоянной гонке, будто атлет
Я прошу лишь малыш, раздели момент
Посмотри мне в глаза, для тебя я первый
I don’t know, малыш мы не начнем заново
Я хочу чего-то постоянногоМалышка прости но сам не постоянный
Выдыхаю прямо в комнате
Я с Питера, но звучу будто из Комптона
Вы спите на мне, но мы не поработаем
Shout out мой twizzy, я на slow-mo walking’е
Не говорю с тобой,
У меня bae видит во мне биг-боя, не ставит тебя в один ряд со мной
И поэтому прыгаю в большой ровер, эти броуки рядом так хотят со мной
Я некст-апаю музыку, по любому, знаю точно хочешь теперь фит со мной
Не хочу быть забытым как Миллиан О’Войд
Похожий на волка, на луну я вою
Мой стилек горячее чем твой, априори
Ща мои строчки вижу у тебя в сториз
Вижу тебя с кем-то и я паранойю
Я не могу смотреть на то как ты ноешь
Не смотря на все, так люблю твои стоны,
Но навряд ли я буду твоим партнером
Мне все равно мало, эй
Сколько я дую, чувствую себя нормально, эй
Я знаю ты хочешь простить меня, знаешь я прав, эй
Малыш во мне много энергии, воркаю night, эй
Ты можешь набрать, я всегда на телефоне, эй
Я за любой кипиш, я поддержу своего броуди, эй
Ты чувствуешь себя лишним, каждый раз когда в тусовке, эй
Ты читаешь за дым, не потянешь с нами смоука, эй
Почему из всех ты подошла ко мне?
Они все повторяют как я одет
Я в постоянной гонке, будто атлет
Я прошу лишь малыш, раздели момент
Посмотри мне в глаза, для тебя я первый
I don’t know, малыш мы не начнем заново
Я хочу чего-то постоянного
Малышка прости но сам не постоянный
Выдыхаю прямо в комнате
Я с Питера, но звучу будто из Комптона
Вы спите на мне, но мы не поработаем
Shout out мой twizzy, я на slow-mo walking’е
The lyrics of "The Eternal" by Yo-Yo Ma evoke a vivid tapestry of emotions and experiences, blending introspection with the complexities of relationships. Beginning with a sense of intimacy, the lines "Почему из всех ты подошла ко мне" (Why of all did you come to me?) reflect the singer's surprise and curiosity about the attraction felt by the other person. There’s an aura of competition in the lines about dressing and running like an athlete, hinting at a broader societal pressure and a personal journey of self-discovery. The plea to "раздели момент" (share the moment) suggests a longing for genuine connection amidst the chaos of life and image-conscious living. The juxtaposition of urgency and desire reflects the challenges of being in a fast-paced world while yearning for a meaningful presence.
The singer's candidness about his limitations is pronounced in lines like "Малышка прости но сам не постоянный" (Baby, I'm sorry but I'm not constant). This acknowledgment of impermanence casts a shadow over the desire for stability and commitment. The contrast between wanting something everlasting yet admitting to personal inconsistency reveals a tension that resonates with listeners. The confession of wanting something "постоянного" (constant) adds depth, positioning the singer as someone who grapples with their flawed nature while still craving connection. This dichotomy embodies a relatable vulnerability often found in relationships, where one’s desires clash with their realities.
Imagery plays a significant role as the songwriter evokes various locales and lifestyles, portraying a dynamic speaker who straddles different worlds—coming from Saint Petersburg but sounding like he's from Compton embodies a fusion of cultural influences that enriches his identity. This blending of backgrounds hints at a certain pride in one’s heritage while also embodying the idea of global interconnectedness in the musical landscape. The references to being watched, yet the need for authenticity amidst pretense—“Вы спите на мне, но мы не поработаем” (You sleep on me, but we won’t work together)—highlights the complexities of friendships and professional ties in the contemporary milieu.
The overarching sentiment of the song is a poignant exploration of love, addiction, and identity. The repeated refrain of wanting to be validated, yet feeling misunderstood, adds a layer of angst and desire for connection. The final ideas expressed in the lyrics capture the essence of nightlife, social dynamics, and the desire to belong, exemplifying the interplay between camaraderie and isolation. Overall, “The Eternal” resonates with themes of longing, self-exploration, and the intricate nature of modern relationships, leaving listeners reflecting on their own experiences of love and loss in a constantly changing world.
Line by Line Meaning
Почему из всех ты подошла ко мне
Why of all people did you choose to come to me
Они все повторяют как я одет
Everyone else mimics my style and attire
Я в постоянной гонке, будто атлет
I’m in an endless race, much like an athlete
Я прошу лишь малыш, раздели момент
I only ask, babe, to share this moment together
Посмотри мне в глаза, для тебя я первый
Look into my eyes, in your presence I feel unique
I don’t know, малыш мы не начнем заново
I’m uncertain, babe, but we can’t restart this journey
Я хочу чего-то постоянного
What I desire is something lasting and real
Малышка прости но сам не постоянный
I’m sorry babe, but I’m inconsistent myself
Выдыхаю прямо в комнате
I exhale deeply in this space
Я с Питера, но звучу будто из Комптона
I’m from St. Petersburg, yet I sound like I hail from Compton
Вы спите на мне, но мы не поработаем
You rely on me, but we’re not truly collaborating
Shout out мой twizzy, я на slow-mo walking’е
Shout out to my friend, I’m moving through life in slow motion
Не говорю с тобой,
I’m not communicating with you
У меня bae видит во мне биг-боя, не ставит тебя в один ряд со мной
My partner sees me as someone significant, not equating you to my level
И поэтому прыгаю в большой ровер, эти броуки рядом так хотят со мной
That’s why I’m getting into an SUV; my friends want to be part of my journey
Я некст-апаю музыку, по любому, знаю точно хочешь теперь фит со мной
I’m moving up in music, and I know for sure you want to collaborate now
Не хочу быть забытым как Миллиан О’Войд
I don’t want to be forgotten like the artist Millian O'Void
Похожий на волка, на луну я вою
I howl at the moon, resembling a wolf in my solitude
Мой стилек горячее чем твой, априори
My style is inherently hotter than yours
Ща мои строчки вижу у тебя в сториз
I see my words reflected in your social media stories
Вижу тебя с кем-то и я паранойю
Seeing you with someone stirs feelings of paranoia in me
Я не могу смотреть на то как ты ноешь
I can’t bear to see you lamenting
Не смотря на все, так люблю твои стоны,
Despite everything, I love your moans and sounds of passion
Но навряд ли я буду твоим партнером
But it’s unlikely I can be your partner in this
Мне все равно мало, эй
I constantly feel like it’s never enough, hey
Сколько я дую, чувствую себя нормально, эй
No matter how much I smoke, I still feel okay, hey
Я знаю ты хочешь простить меня, знаешь я прав, эй
I know you want to forgive me, and you know I’m right, hey
Малыш во мне много энергии, воркаю night, эй
Babe, I’ve got a lot of energy, working through the night, hey
Ты можешь набрать, я всегда на телефоне, эй
You can call me anytime; I’m always reachable, hey
Я за любой кипиш, я поддержу своего броуди, эй
I’m up for any trouble; I’ll support my friend, hey
Ты чувствуешь себя лишним, каждый раз когда в тусовке, эй
You feel out of place every time we’re in a gathering, hey
Ты читаешь за дым, не потянешь с нами смоука, эй
You notice the vibe, but can’t keep up with our smoke session, hey
Почему из всех ты подошла ко мне?
Why of all people did you choose to come to me?
Они все повторяют как я одет
Everyone else mimics my style and attire
Я в постоянной гонке, будто атлет
I’m in an endless race, much like an athlete
Я прошу лишь малыш, раздели момент
I only ask, babe, to share this moment together
Посмотри мне в глаза, для тебя я первый
Look into my eyes, in your presence I feel unique
I don’t know, малыш мы не начнем заново
I’m uncertain, babe, but we can’t restart this journey
Я хочу чего-то постоянного
What I desire is something lasting and real
Малышка прости но сам не постоянный
I’m sorry babe, but I’m inconsistent myself
Выдыхаю прямо в комнате
I exhale deeply in this space
Я с Питера, но звучу будто из Комптона
I’m from St. Petersburg, yet I sound like I hail from Compton
Вы спите на мне, но мы не поработаем
You rely on me, but we’re not truly collaborating
Shout out мой twizzy, я на slow-mo walking’е
Shout out to my friend, I’m moving through life in slow motion
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Герасимов Артём, Остапченко Роман
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind