Yo-Yo Ma on bringing people together in dark times with music

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the power of music to bring people together and provide hope and comfort in a time of crisis. Long before COVID-19 hit, Ma was using his instrument to unite people, performing Bach suites in cities around the world and at the U.S.-Mexico border. He explains why he believes songs written centuries ago can connect humanity today. Ma also talks about performing during a pandemic, how technology has changed musical collaboration, and why he feels Zoom can never fully replace the experience of a live performance. Ma reflects on his decades-long career, offers perspective on how music might help heal America’s divisions, and plays from his recent album, “Songs of Comfort and Hope.” Support for “Firing Line for Margaret Hoover” is provided by Robert Granieri, Charles R. Schwab, The Fairweather Foundation, The Asness Family Foundation, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, The Center for the Study of the International Economy Inc., Damon Button, The Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, The Marc Haas Foundation, and Stephens Inc.