The Symphonic Wallflower

May 10, 1999 was a Monday, and I remember it fondly. Not only was it the birthday of a dear friend of mine who ended up not accepting my mild romantic affections a few months earlier, but it was also the day I would be meeting the first of dozens of celebrities I would come to know over the next decade, and without a doubt one I would never forget.

With a dark blue cello case strapped tightly against his shoulders, Yo-Yo Ma stepped off the plane in Louisville, Kentucky. He approached me, warmly shook my hand and said, “Hi! I’m Yo-Yo Ma!” To all those who have ever wondered after seeing his interviews and TV specials, let the truth be told: Yes, he really is that nice. From the moment he stuffed his multi-million dollar cello into the boot of my crowded Mazda sedan, he wanted to hear only about me – even down to how big my farm was in southern Indiana, and by the end of the day he affectionately referred to me as “40-acre boy.”

That evening he presented a recital with pianist Jeffrey Kahane at the Palace Theatre in downtown Louisville in an unforgettable program: J.S. Bach’s Sonata in D major for viola da gamba BWV 1028, plus a set of “New” Goldberg Variations, a work comprised of six movements by various contemporary composers – Christopher Rouse, John Corigliano and Peter Schickele, among others – that were bookended (as in the original) by the evocative Aria from Bach’s own BWV 988 Goldberg Variations of 1741. The second half of the concert was the 30-minute Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19 of Rachmaninoff, which was truly the musical highlight of the evening.

The dinner afterwards was even more memorable.

Even though the reservation was made well in advance, our post-11 p.m. arrival in the foyer at Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant (complete with Yamaha grand piano) did not make us a welcome party. At first, no one could be found in the restaurant, so Yo-Yo bolted into the kitchen (with his cello still strapped to his back). I soon followed only to find him in front of the preparation sinks apologizing profusely to Vincenzo’s wife, who was livid that she had been waiting so long for such a small party. With some hesitation, her annoyance eventually abated and the one remaining waiter began to bring cold appetizers and wine. Yo-Yo helped the waiter and served us before seating himself. 

Nearly two hours later (and after the final cask of grappa had been consumed), we packed up our things and began to head out. Yo-Yo continued to thank the owner’s wife for her patience; after all, she had catered to our every detail and I noticed she was physically exhausted, but still appreciative of our gratitude. Yo-Yo noticed this too, and after whispering in Jeffrey Kahane’s ear and giving him a smile and simultaneous nod, he unpacked his cello in the foyer as Jeffrey sat down at the piano. The couple performed exclusively for her – from memory – the Andante from Rachmaninoff’s Sonata. By the end of the 6-minute movement, she was reduced to tears. The next twenty minutes were spent watching this woman shower Yo-Yo and Jeffrey with adoration.

The heart of this man is truly made of gold. It is without a doubt that he shows it everywhere he goes. When you see his beaming face accept an audience’s applause, or watch as he smiles at the orchestra and its conductor following a raving performance, you know that it is genuine. He is a gift to today’s musical world, and those of us attending his return to the Hilbert Circle Theatre with the Indianapolis Symphony in October 2009 (after a 13-year hiatus) should soak up every moment. He will touch every heart in the hall, and will make it an evening to remember, as it did for me a decade ago.

And even though I never won the heart of my dear friend that year, she did receive an anonymous birthday gift in the mail a few days later – an autographed CD of a world-famous cellist that simply read: “Happy Birthday, Eliza. Love, Yo-Yo.”