By Jennifer Mulson | June 3, 2026
There’s never a dull moment when Yo-Yo Ma is on stage.
Working with the world-renowned cellist is almost an improvisational experience, says Colorado Symphony’s Music Director Peter Oundjian.
As one might expect, Ma doesn’t require much prep time; he needs only one rehearsal with the symphony for its Friday night show at Ford Amphitheater, which concludes with Ma’s performance of Antonín Leopold Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, Oundjian says.
“It’s spontaneous. We don’t expect the same thing with every phrase every time we play it,” Oundjian said. “It’s getting a feeling in the rehearsal for where we might go with the performance. We’re not improvising with notes or time. Where we stretch or what kind of magic moment we’re going to make is in the moment, which is part of why it’s so exciting to be on stage with him.”
Oundjian and Ma are no strangers. They first met 45 years ago as fellow musicians in the Tokyo String Quartet, where Oundjian was first violinist, and have played together many times since.
He compares conducting Ma to a game of tennis against a strong opponent who has amazing shots and an inspirational game, and brings out the best in you. It’s also like being a co-driver in a race car, he says, because you must be ready for anything.
“I enjoy it immensely,” Oundjian said. “He knows, now that we’ve worked together so much, that he can be very free. You can imagine how many times he’s played the concerto. That’s very important that he can be spontaneous, almost as if every time we start the piece, it’s the world premiere.”