On his new album Songs of Joy and Peace, cellist Yo-Yo Ma collaborates with James Taylor, Chris Botti, guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad, Edgar Myer, Dave Brubeck, Chris Thile, Renee Fleming, and a variety of other artists.
Here’s a bit of what Yo-Yo Ma has to say about this album:
"It started with the idea of a party, a party built around the concept of joy and the infinite varieties of joy to be found in the world…but joy can't exist in our world without the comfort of peace. As we all draw closer and closer together in this world, nothing is more important. So as much as the music in this album is about joy, it is also about peace, about the two operating in tandem. I am really excited to know that I have all these fabulous colleagues who think the same way."
Yo-Yo Ma might also want to work with you...
You can download Yo-Yo Ma’s recording of the traditional song “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Give us Peace) through this website. Then, it’s up to you to record an accompaniment or variations on the tune. You then submit it through the website for others to listen to.
There’s a prize for the favorite:
“First Place: The winner will have the opportunity to record with Yo-Yo Ma in a special one-on-one collaboration! The winner's rendition will also be featured on Yo-YoMa.com, Yo-Yo's MySpace page, and here on Indaba Music.”
The top ten will receive signed copy of “Songs of Joy and Peace” album.
So check it out, listen to what some others have done, and start work on your own collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma!
If anyone reading our little blog enters this contest, let me know—I’d love hear about what you do. You can comment on the blog or send an email to feedback@wvpubcast.org.