In mid-October, I had the honor and pleasure of interviewing Yo-Yo Ma on behalf of the Vermont Edition team. Ma was in town for performances celebrating the re-opening of the Hopkins Center. Our time was very short — he had a packed schedule that day — but after I had covered the topics for Vermont Edition and he was being ushered out of the room, I was able to ask him one quick question of my own. I told him about the beloved "8 O'Clock Bach" portion of my morning show and asked if he had a recommendation for a piece for us to enjoy together.
In true, wise, and lovely Yo-Yo Ma style, he gave an eloquent answer about the transcendent beauty of Bach's music.
Yo-Yo Ma: I think each piece of music takes you to a particular state of mind. And since we talked about the prelude of the first suite, I think it's a good thing to hear at the beginning of the day because you're joining the water. You're joining the energy of the day. And you're building from there.
Thank you for doing that, because I think Bach is one of the composers that gives you equilibrium. Equilibrium in the sense that it is both incredibly pure in in objectivity, and is also completely compassionate in his ability to encompass all of human nature with sympathy. That is always in perfect balance in Bach. And that's why I think he has lasted so long, and that's why the "8 O'Clock Bach" works well, because people need that moment to kind of find that equilibrium that we all seek, right? And the music actually helps us get there.
Listen here for the full Vermont Edition episode featuring Yo-Yo Ma and collaborating musicians of the "We are Water" project.
