Kiersten’s Blog

Last night was a great night away with my husband.  His parents came down and watched the kids while we went to the Balboa theater in downtown San Diego to listen to Yo-Yo Ma perform some Bach.  He played three of the six unaccompanied cello suites.  He played No. 1 in G Major, No. 5 in C Minor and No.3 in C Major (and 2 encores).  I’ll have to say that this was probably one of the most enjoyable concerts I have ever attended.  The music was all familiar to me.  In fact, I have played part of the 3rd suite on viola.  I enjoy going to well-played performances but this was better than I expected.  The thing that was so impressive to me was how delicately he played.  There were times that notes almost sounded like mistakes, like he brushed a string by accident.  Everything looked and sounded so easy.  He looked so relaxed and played flawlessly.  To make things even more exciting, he threw in a little earthquake during the 5th suite.  Okay, I’m sure he had no control over that but we did feel the quake.  It didn’t phase Mr. Ma at all.  I’m so glad we were able to get tickets to this fantastic performance.  What a treat.