“Since it was founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma 16 years ago, the Silk Road Ensemble—an artistic collective comprised of master musicians and other artists from more than 20 countries, spanning the globe—has become an incubator for inspiring cross-cultural collaborations,” reports Anastasia Tsioulcas on Friday (6/10) at NPR’s “All Things Considered.” The ensemble is “the subject of a new documentary directed by filmmaker Morgan Neville … The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, [chronicling] both the evolution of the group and personal journeys of some of its members—several of whom who have endured life-shattering tragedies…. The film hits upon many universal themes, including love and loss, immigration and isolation, and the twin missions of preserving cultures and moving traditions forward….
The film also explores the world-famous cellist’s journey to shaping his own contributions…. Being a celebrated child prodigy meant that as a young man, [Ma] didn’t necessarily have the chance to determine his own path…. But … a life in music has provided him with avenues to traverse an incredible amount of terrain—artistic, intellectual and emotional.” Included are a brief video performance clip of Yo-Yo Ma and an audio conversation between Ma and NPR host Robert Siegel.
Posted June 14, 2016
