Covid takes Yo Yo out of Tanglewood

Covid takes Yo Yo out of Tanglewood

News

norman lebrecht

August 10, 2023

Just in:

With great regret, after testing positive for COVID-19, cellist Yo-Yo Ma must withdraw from this week’s scheduled Tanglewood appearances: today’s 2 p.m. Open Cello Workshop at Ozawa Hall as well as the open rehearsal and concert with the Boston Symphony in the Shed on Saturday, August 12, and Sunday, August 13, respectively.

Soprano Renée Fleming has graciously agreed to step in to join the BSO on Sunday, performing songs by Richard Strauss in place of the Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 that was originally scheduled to be performed with Mr. Ma.

Comments

  • Bostin'Symph says:

    Very best wishes to Yo-Yo Ma for a swift and full recovery!

  • Zarathusa says:

    This just serves to show that with COVID “it ain’t over until it’s over”…and with new strains of this virus developing every day worldwide, it does not appear to be “over-ing” any time soon! Meanwhile, best wishes to Yo-Yo for a speedy and complete recovery!

    • Peter San Diego says:

      The usual summer surge in COVID cases is taking place, although this year it begins from a much lower baseline and — so far — appears to remain smaller than last year’s surge. Nevertheless, wearing masks is recommended in crowded locations. Best wishes to Mr. Ma for a speedy and full recovery!

      • Paul Joschak says:

        Thankfully there are currently very few of them around, but whenever I see someone wearing a mask, I have an almost uncontrollable desire to punch them in the face. These apotropaic muzzles literally masquerading as pieces of PPE make my gorge rise. They’re disgusting, dehumanising and they don’t work. Does this mean I’m a bad person? Asking for a friend.

        • JB says:

          You are entitled to your opinion, even if not necessarily correct. Guess you don’t have lung disease and don’t realise that everyone is not as healthy as you. You may not be able to wear and use a mask appropriately but they can and do work. Venting your own personal frustrations is not that useful for others.

        • Carl says:

          You clearly have some issues if that’s what sets you off. And you may wish to avoid many Asian countries, where people wear masks regularly in public to prevent the spread of germs, including the common cold.

        • AnnaT says:

          I mean, an “almost uncontrollable desire” to punch people in the face seems far more dehumanizing than any mask, but go off, I guess.

      • CSO subscriber says:

        Either learn to live with it like we did with flu or wear your mask forever if you think it’s the best way but once and for all stop giving other people recommendations about how to hinder their daily lives, especially in the middle of humid summer.

        Get better Yo-Yo, we miss you! And good on Tanglewood, that’s what you call proper artistic planning, not like the progressive garbage we’ve been subjected to in Ravinia this season.

  • freddynyc says:

    Just as well for one of the most overrated and over marketed musicians on the planet…..

    • Nick2 says:

      freddynyc should be ashamed. Not only is Yo-Yo Ma one of the nicest, kindest artists in the international music business, he is and has been for almost his entire professional career one of the greatest of all cellists and a huge inspiration to generations of young musicians. He has also helped extend the boundaries of the audience for classical music in many ways through, for example, his educational work and the stunning Silk Road Project. Being slightly older I too recently had Covid and it was extremely unpleasant. May he recover very quickly and return to give so much more joy to so many more people.

    • SAM says:

      Another garbage remark from a garbage person.

  • Gustavo says:

    Hope it’s not “Four Last Songs” for Yo-Yo.

    Get well soon!

  • Paulus Rex says:

    Very unfortunate situation, truly hope that Mr. Ma is up to date with his vaccines.

  • Adam Mandela Walden says:

    Feel better Mr. Ma!!

  • John D’armes says:

    Renee Fleming? Ugh

  • Dimitri Vassilakis says:

    Pity for Mr.Ma , after all these shots he seemed to be so optimistic about , they don’t seem to have helped him stay healthy …

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