The role of the musician is to go from concept to full execution. Put another way, its to go from understanding the content of something to really learning how to communicate it and make sure its well-received and lives in somebody else. – Yo-Yo Ma
I learn something not because I have to, but because I really want to. Thats the same view I have for performing. Im performing because I really want to, not because I have to bring bread back home. – Yo-Yo Ma
My teacher, my great cello teacher Leonard Rose, was such a great cellist, and nurturing man, very patient. But I grew up not only admiring him, but obviously Casals, Rostrotovich, Jacqueline du Pre, and many others, including many of my peers and contemporaries. – Yo-Yo Ma
I love grocery shopping when Im home. Thats what makes me feel totally normal. I love both the idea of home as in being with my family and friends, and also the idea of exploration. I think those two are probably my great interests. – Yo-Yo Ma