Friday, November 1, 1996
MUSIC:
Ma, Meyer and O’Connor combine skills in moving string
performanceBy Susan Lee
Daily Bruin Contributor
Some say it’s all in the family. The string family that is.
Using a cello, double bass and fiddle, musical artists Yo-Yo Ma,
Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor will bring together a unique blend of
classical, jazz and bluegrass sounds this Saturday at the Veterans
Wadsworth Theater. The program, entitled "Appalachia Waltz" after
their collectively produced CD of the same name, is the product of
brainstorming between the three. "As I grew up, I always admired
him (Ma) and I loved having a chance to work with Mark, so we
flirted with various ideas about how to do it and … there it
was," Meyer says.
One of the primary influences on "Appalachia Waltz" was the
natural world itself. "It’s easy to get ideas for shaping a piece
from something beautiful, whether mountain or tree," Meyer says.
"Good ideas flow from just looking at it … the secret to writing
is to be open and discover things."
Musically, Ma, Meyer and O’Connor could not have come from more
varied backgrounds but they are tied together by the strings of
fate. O’Connor first worked with Meyer on an MCA records project in
1985 and met Ma a few years later. From then on, it was "a natural
step for all of us to work together" Meyer says, as they became
part of an extended musical family. "The nature of the project is a
coming together of three people who are very different … and it’s
very exciting when it works," Meyer says.
While determination and hard work have no doubt played an
essential role in all of their lives, another obvious commonality
is their adoration of music. "The bottom line is enthusiasm and a
love of music … at the very least it’s that," Meyer says.
That enthusiasm has payed off and audience reactions attest to
this. "Virtuosity" is the word often used to describe Ma’s playing,
and his cello performances are famous world wide. People call
O’Connor’s fiddling wizardry "unbelievable," while they speak of
Meyer’s playing as "amazing." It’s no wonder that each musician has
garnered numerous awards and honors, especially considering what an
early start they had.
Ma gave his first public recital at age 5 while O’Connor won
every major fiddle competition in the country as well as recorded
four albums by the time he was in high school. Meyer, who started
playing the double bass at 5, grew up inspired by his father, who
also played the bass. "The simple feeling of being alive and
identification with the instrument is very complete," Meyer says.
"Playing is the same as breathing … it’s a simple answer; music
makes you feel alive, and gives me the feeling of vitality. Without
it things are a little dull."
It is lucky that he loves music enough to tote around his 20-25
pound double bass, which often stirs up many conversations among
onlookers. "It’s a little of an extra hassle on an airplane," Meyer
says, "And then there’s the people who ask you stuff like …
‘Don’t you wish you’d taken up the piccolo?’"
Lured by the lush beauty of the music they create, audiences
have no choice but to be captivated by their mastery of
instruments. "Musicianship carries a whole lot of things Â
curiosity of music or excitement or love of music are fundamental
things that drive the engine and makes it go. Without them, then we
tend to fall a little short," Meyer says.
However, falling short hardly describes the performances that
these three acclaimed artists have given. Whether solo, trio, or
orchestral, audiences looking forward to this performance will no
doubt hear Ma, Meyer and O’Connor give heart, soul and feeling to
those bountiful black notes scribbled across a flood of papers.
MUSIC: Yo-yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O’ Connor perform
"Appalachia Waltz" Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Veterans Wadsworth
Theater. The concert will be broadcast Monday on KCRW, National
Public Radio. For more info, call 825-2101.