Strauss- Don Quixote- Dvorák- Symphony No.8

Recorded at the Philharmonie am Gasteig, Munich, 2016. As an artist in residence with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the American cellist Yo-Yo Ma had the opportunity to do what is perhaps the second thing he loves the most after playing: sharing his love of music with others. Yo-Yo Ma doesn t fade away into the music, nor does he take a worshipful attitude towards the pieces he performs. From the moment he walks onto the stage, he exudes charisma that immediately confirms his truly exceptional status as the best cellist in the world . With its ten variations on a theme of knightly character for full orchestra, Richard Strauss tone poem Don Quixote not only depicts the colourful adventures of Cervantes chivalrous hero, but also functions as a virtuoso display of glorious solo melodies embedded in stunning orchestral passages. It is, in a way, a second Strauss cello concerto that can take it up with any other late-19th century piece of this kind. Joining the Don later is a viola solo that personifies the faithful Sancho Panza and is played by Wen Xiao Zheng.