Yo-Yo Ma Plays the Music of John Williams

Track Listings

1. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: I. Theme and Cadenza

2. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: II. Blues

3. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: III. Scherzo

4. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: IV. Song

5. Elegy for Cello and Orchestra

6. Rosewood

7. Three Pieces for Solo Cello

8. Pickin'

9. The Long Way North

10. Heartwood

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Film scorers who diligently pursue separate careers as composers of serious concert works (Korngold and Morricone, for two) frequently see the former trumpeted far and wide at the expense--and often woeful neglect--of the latter. Even John Williams, the most heralded film composer of the past quarter-century, hasn't been immune. But this compelling collection shouldn't be overlooked. Indeed, the participation of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma should gain it wider appeal in classical circles. But while Ma's dramatic, ever-masterful work takes star billing, it's the challenging framework of Williams's compositions (three of which--the Concerto, Three Pieces for Solo Cello, and "Heartwood"--were specifically written for Ma) that's the album's true focus. Even admirers of Williams's more adventurous film work (i.e., Close Encounters and A.I.) may be startled at the deeply introspective landscape he explores here. His always intriguing use of color finds its perfect voice in Ma, whose restless technical explorations here encompass even percussion. The Concerto alone ranges from a welcoming brass flourish in its opening movement through a personal and obtuse take on the blues in its second, before reaching an uneasy pastoral resolve. The emotionally potent "Elegy" stems from noble, intensely personal work Williams composed as a memorial for a friend's fallen children, while Three Pieces for Solo Cello explore the American black experience through an ostensibly unlikely, if eventually rewarding choice of instrument. "Heartwood" offers up an impressionistic tone poem of understated grandeur, as well as another of Williams's great gifts--his continued ability to take a listener by surprise. --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: I. Theme and Cadenza
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: II. Blues
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: III. Scherzo
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: IV. Song
Elegy for Cello and Orchestra
Rosewood
Three Pieces for Solo Cello
Pickin'
The Long Way North
Heartwood

Amazon.com

Film scorers who diligently pursue separate careers as composers of serious concert works (Korngold and Morricone, for two) frequently see the former trumpeted far and wide at the expense--and often woeful neglect--of the latter. Even John Williams, the most heralded film composer of the past quarter-century, hasn't been immune. But this compelling collection shouldn't be overlooked. Indeed, the participation of superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma should gain it wider appeal in classical circles. But while Ma's dramatic, ever-masterful work takes star billing, it's the challenging framework of Williams's compositions (three of which--the Concerto, Three Pieces for Solo Cello, and "Heartwood"--were specifically written for Ma) that's the album's true focus. Even admirers of Williams's more adventurous film work (i.e., Close Encounters and A.I.) may be startled at the deeply introspective landscape he explores here. His always intriguing use of color finds its perfect voice in Ma, whose restless technical explorations here encompass even percussion. The Concerto alone ranges from a welcoming brass flourish in its opening movement through a personal and obtuse take on the blues in its second, before reaching an uneasy pastoral resolve. The emotionally potent "Elegy" stems from noble, intensely personal work Williams composed as a memorial for a friend's fallen children, while Three Pieces for Solo Cello explore the American black experience through an ostensibly unlikely, if eventually rewarding choice of instrument. "Heartwood" offers up an impressionistic tone poem of understated grandeur, as well as another of Williams's great gifts--his continued ability to take a listener by surprise. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Disappointment!.......2005-04-26

You'd think that, Ma being my favourite cellist and Williams being my favourite composer of this century, this album would be at least a semi-hit (with me, anyway)... But it's not great -- at all. Some parts are almost boring, others are too demanding of the listener's attention (not in a good way). I am quite disappointed with this CD! Could've been amazing!!! If you love what you know of Williams, you might want to take a sneak preview before buying... it's not his average stuff! No knocks on either musician -- just not at all their best work!

Great sound, shame about the music.......2003-07-23

Absolutely spectacular sound, - the cello has warmth and bit and at times the timpani make you want to jump out of your seat. Having said that, thats all there is. The music is bloated, dull, repetitive and uninteresting. Either full of sound and fury, signifying nothing or else moodily quiet in pseudo-profound style, but signifying just as little. A sonic spectacular, but only if you aren't interested in (the) music.

Great Cello Concerto.......2002-09-19

This is a warm , sometimes dark, sometimes exciting and sometimes hypnotic concerto. The recording is very good and the playing excellent. For the fans of John Williams Star Wars scores (I have all of them), but not of "contemporary" classical music this may not be a good choice right now but you could try. This is not an action score with heroic leitmotivs or as another reviewer put it, this is nor Cinema Serenade (very good). If you compare it to a score, the closest could be A.I. (but only in some parts). I dont think this is unaccessible and do not believe in that term. I also dont think that one has to "understand" a piece of music. You just relax, concentrate, and listen carefully without distractions. Listen to the music and do not judge it by comparing it to movie scores. This is John Williams composing twentieth century style music without being too experimental or complex like for example Lutoslawski, or Stockhausen and at the same time not as "ear friendly" as most movie scores.
If you liked Cristopher Rouse Cello Concerto with Yo Yo Ma you could like this also. If you want to try out Yo Yo in an established Masterpiece, try Shostakovich Cello Concerto.

Blah album... but closes with its best portion.......2002-06-10

First, I'll admit up front that very little concert music for classical orchestras that has been written in the past 40 or so years appeals to me. Still, I'm a fan of John Williams, and I thought I'd check out some of his "serious" efforts. Therefore, I picked up this CD not expecting to like it terribly much.

I did, however, like it more than I had expected. While I was bored by "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra" and "Elegy"--they were exactly what I exected to find--and only slightly more impressed with the solo cello pieces, "Heartwood" is an excellent piece of music. It alone did not make me want to start cleaning my office or reach for the "skip" button.

Like so much contemporary music for orchestras, most of what is on this disc is more fit for background static than actual attentive listening--and I feel odd saying that, as I often comment the exact opposite about the orchestral versions that are released of Williams' film scores--but "Heartwood" is the exception to this general comment. If the entire disc had been like "Heartwood," it wold have gotten Four Stars. As it is, the stars it is getting is for "Heartwood" alone.

Our Modern Master.......2002-03-22

I have been waiting to hear a recording of the Cello Concerto since it was premiered in '93. I can honestly say it was worth the wait. The concerto is a beautifully scored, haunting, expansive work, which quickly grows on a listener. Not surprisingly, given his relationship with Yo-Yo Ma, the cello part is highly individual, allowing Yo-Yo to explore the full range of his talent. Though at times stark, and certainly introspective, I found it a much warmer work than his previous disc (Treesong, etc), with numerous fingerprints of Williams' style (even with snatches from the film scores). This is not to say that Williams is incapable of avoiding film music cliches (as these works are not calculated to appeal to a pop music audience); on the contrary, it speaks to the true range of his talent--film scores that are "serious" works, and concert pieces that can enjoy a wide following.

"The Elegy for Cello" is adapted from "Seven Years in Tibet," and is extremely welcome, as the melody on that disc invited so much exploration. "The Three Pieces for Cello" are quite arresting, atmospheric works that evoke the African American struggle in three brief sketches. "Heartwood" is a fascinating piece as well, a fitting bookend to the concerto, which explores a side of Williams at once familiar, yet surprisingly new (to my ears, at any rate). In short, I am thrilled to own this disc and encourage listeners to expand their perceptions of John Williams beyond the stereotype of "a film composer," and see him in his proper light, as a composer in the mold of Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Vaughan-Williams, Rota, etc., who could write in any medium successfully, and more importantly, have something to say.

Yo-Yo Ma Plays the Music of John Williams
Average customer rating:

Great sound, shame about the music

Yo-Yo Ma Plays the Music of John Williams

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Ma, Yo-Yo | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000060P3K
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Tracks:

Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: I. Theme and Cadenza
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: II. Blues
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: III. Scherzo
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: IV. Song
Elegy for Cello and Orchestra
Three Pieces for Solo Cello: Rosewood
Three Pieces for Solo Cello: Pickin'
Three Pieces for Solo Cello: The Long Way North
Heartwood

Customer Reviews:

Great sound, shame about the music.......2003-07-23

Absolutely spectacular sound, - the cello has warmth and bit and at times the timpani make you want to jump out of your seat. Having said that, thats all there is. The music is bloated, dull, repetitive and uninteresting. Either full of sound and fury, signifying nothing or else moodily quite in pseudo-profound style but signifying just as little. A sonic spectacular, but only if you arent interested in (the) music.

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1. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: I. Theme and Cadenza
2. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: II. Blues
3. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: III. Scherzo
4. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: IV. Song
5. Elegy for Cello and Orchestra
6. Rosewood
7. Three Pieces for Solo Cello
8. Pickin'
9. The Long Way North
10. Heartwood