In the world of classical music they are many memorable figures, the composers, Johannes Brahms, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Johann Sebastian Bach.
They are the conductors the men who introduce the composers work to a medium, Semyon Bychkov, Gustavo Dudamel, Michael Tilson Thomas and the brilliant Riccardo Muti.
Then they are the ones who put it all together, the musician, Bach, Beethoven and Mozart themselves were musicians not just composers. Today the world has the Lang Langs, the Ji-yongs and the Joshua Bells.
All mentioned above are superstars and loved, embraced and remembered the world over but very few have the pull of the divine cellist Mr. Yo Yo Ma.
Born in the musical city of Paris in 1955 to Chinese parents, Ma from an early age was exposed to this fine tradition of music. His mother Marina Lu was a singer and his father Hiao-Tsiun was a violinist and professor of music at Nanjing Central University.
Ma moved to New York as a five year old with his parents and as the years progressed the young musician found himself in the company of classical music. The cellist studied under Leonard Rose at the prestigious Juilliard School at the tender age of nine.
As he reached adulthood YoYo Ma enrolled in Columbia University for a spell until he switched schools to Harvard University where he graduated in 1976.
Ma's career has seen him and his cavalier style win numerous awards. Grammys literally litter his award cabinet. Mr. Ma has also been awarded the title of Peace Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in January 2006 by then Secretary General Kofi Annan.
The cellist has played for to this date eight United States presidents, the most recent being President Barack Obama for the 56th Inaugural Ceremony.
The global talent that is Ma will have a special treat for fans the world over as he continues to tour the world solo or with his Silk Road Ensemble.
Already having recently played in North Carolina this year with shows to come for fans in Wisconsin and Miami, Ma offers up delightfully interesting shows slated for Chicago.
February 28th could see the virtuoso team up with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Italian conductor the glorious Riccardo Muti at the Orchestra Hall.
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