Christmas has been celebrated for many centuries, in different ways in different cultures and countries. Classically trained cellist Yo-Yo Ma loves to mix classical, popular and world music genres. For his Christmas album Songs Of Joy & Peace he therefore surrounded himself with a colorful group of old and new musical friends to celebrate the Christmas party in a brotherly way. On each of the
… 22 tracks, cellist Yo-Yo Ma plays alternately with folkies like James Taylor, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile and Alison Krauss or with jazz enthusiasts like Diana Krall, Dave & Matt Brubeck, Joshua Redman and Paquito D'Rivera. World music guests include Galician Cristina Pato, Brazilians Sergio & Odair Assad and Ma's Silk Road Ensemble. The theme of the album is the canon Dona Nobis Pacem, which always sounds different. Songs Of Joy & Peace is the ultimate Christmas album: the tasteful and refined music is ideal as background music during the Christmas dinner or to enjoy quietly by a crackling fire. (SvdP)more
