Harvard Club of San Diego

Yo-Yo Ma (AB '76) Performs One Night in San Diego

***SOLD OUT*** The Harvard Club and Stanford Club will meet up before the concert at La Gran Tapa, and then head over to see cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott at Symphony Hall

UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT.  PLEASE CHECK DIRECTLY WITH THE LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY FOR AVAILABLE TICKETS

Two world-renowned musicians will perform at San Diego’s Symphony Hall on Wednesday, March 12, at 8 p.m. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott will take the stage to delight the audience with a diverse program which has been receiving exultant reviews for recent performances.  Yo-Yo Ma received his Harvard A.B. in 1976.

The Event 

The Harvard Club is joining with the Stanford Club to organize this lively evening of culture and socializing.  Starting at 6 p.m., concert-goers are invited to meet up at La Gran Tapa (611 B St, San Diego, CA 92101) for drinks and eats and mingling (no host).  The group will then meander across the street to Symphony Hall for the concert.  The two clubs have arranged for a block of 30 tickets for members and guests.  This concert is expected to sell out because it is the only performance by Mr. Ma in San Diego.

Tickets are $65 per person for reserved Orchestra seating.  (Food and drink are NOT included.)  Only 15 tickets for Harvard Club members and their guests.  Buy your tickets here.

A recent review of the two artists’ concert at Stanford includes the following praise: “Yo-Yo Ma isn't Superman; he just seems like it. During the cellist's recital with pianist Kathryn Stott at Stanford's Bing Concert Hall, one had the sense that nothing can go wrong when he performs. It's his ease and soulfulness, a unique combination. It makes everything feel right.

Stott, too, is a consummate player, and this program managed to be as light-footed as it was stirring. Longtime musical partners, these two musicians are like champion dancers who anticipate each other's moves: the slightest bends and turns or dramatic leaps. They listen and respond, shape and give way. Their playing is elegant and from the heart.

During the concert they hopped back and forth across repertory from Europe and Latin America, beginning with a reading of Igor Stravinsky's "Suite italienne" from "Pulcinella." Playing Gregor Piatigorsky's transcription for cello and piano, it was best at its most quiet: the gorgeous sliding cello chords of the Serenata.

Soon after, the duo played Heitor Villa-Lobos's "Alma brasileira" ("Soul of Brazil"), the fifth of his "Choros" series, which was sorrowfully lyric -- though perhaps not as sorrowful as Astor Piazzolla's famous "Oblivion." Its dramatic melody was drawn out, milked and embellished (though not overly so) by Ma, whose final notes, grazed and whispered, were kind of incredible.”

The two artists will reprise this repertoire for its San Diego audience.

More information

Event coordinator is Joanna Hirst, vice president for the Harvard Club of San Diego.  Questions may be addressed to her at jopb33@gmail.com.