A Yo-Yo of a Name


Did I read somewhere in the Net about Yo-Yo Ma performing in the inaguration of American latest President, Barrack Obama? This French-born Chinese American cellist and winner of multiple Gammy Awards had performed for some other American presidents before, among whom was Ronald Reagan; and being the child prodigy that he was, he was already performing for an audience at five; and at seven, he played for the late President John F. Kennedy. While I have seen the Hollywood film, Seven Years in Tibet where he was featured on John Williams' soundtrack, it was not until Ang Lee's blockbuster film hit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon that I learned of his name and even then, I had wondered why he had such a strange Christian name when the truth is his name Yo-Yo Ma is actually Chinese, being written in traditonal Chinese as 馬友友 or in simplified Chinese as 马友友. Then, Yo-Yo actually reminded me of the game little boys and young teenagers played but then, Y0-Yo which mean friend, should be written as Yǒuyǒu ,and should be read too as you you too, unless of course, it is not be easy on the western tongue. A westerner whom my very good lady friend who goes by the name Tang Yiu Peng met, had a problem pronouncing her name and had decided to call her Penny instead. I suppose that must be the reason for the grea t amount of anglicising and christenising of Chinese or other oriental names all over Asia and Yo-Yo as a name as in Yo-Yo Ma should not bat an eyelid...

Yo-Yo Ma performing in the White House for President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan and their guests, Prince Michiko and Crown Prince Akhito...

A Performance by Yo-Yo Ma - Bach Cello Suite 1 III. Courante...

Comments

Liudmila said…
Violoncello has so special sound. And the artist is so perfect. Those presidents are too fortunate that they have possibilities to listen to this music in the own house.
footiam said…
Music always delight. But there are people who are against it; strange world, don't you think?