The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Don Quixote is far from tilting at windmills. Renowned cellist and 18-time Grammy Award-winner Yo-Yo Ma plays the lead role in the Orchestra’s performance of the classic piece by Strauss and said the piece is especially relevant in today’s tumultuous political climate.
“I feel that this is a piece for the movement,” Ma said. “None of us go through life without having dreams, but we have to match your dreams with reality, constantly.”
He and BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons also spoke to the nature of music in society.
“Without music, I wouldn’t be able to breathe,” said Nelsons. “The aim is that we infect everyone in the audience …. There are moments that you need to listen to music. It’s like a food for the soul.”
“I think humans invented everything around us,” said Ma. “Language, mathematics, science, astronommy, architecture, music — for a particular reason. I think the reason is to get us to survive. Music for me is created as a service.”
