Leonard Bernstein presents 7-year-old Yo-Yo Ma's high-profile debut for President John F. Kennedy

The New York Times reported that on November 29, 1962, a benefit concert called "The American Pageant of the Arts" was to be held with "a cast of 100, including President and Mrs. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Leonard Bernstein (as master of ceremonies), Pablo Casals, Marian Anderson, Van Cliburn, Robert Frost, Fredric March, Benny Goodman, Bob Newhart and a 7-year-old Chinese cellist called Yo-yo Ma, who was brought to the program's attention by Casals."

As biographer Jim Whiting noted, "the article was noteworthy in two respects. First, it included Yo-Yo's name in the same sentence as those of two U.S. presidents and eight world-famous performers and writers. Second, Yo-Yo had been identified in a major newspaper for the first time. It would hardly be the last. In the years since then, the New York Times alone has written about him more than 1,000 times."

[MrBuniekPolaczek]

I love how Lenny strays away from words like 'kid', 'child' or 'boy' here. He wants him treated like an actual musician, not just a gimmick

[donschwellenbach]

Yo Cheng Ma, his sister who is playing here, was our pediatric intern and resident and you should have seen her play the violin. They are just very gifted people. God bless them

[EvanDahill]

Amazing to me that JFK, Jackie, Yo Yo Ma, Bernstein, Casals, Van Cliburn, Marian Anderson, Robert Frost, Benny Goodman all intersect for this event. A pretty impressive collection of geniuses and legends.

[Dipp]

I hope this kid kept playing the cello, he seems good at it.

Edit: wow almost 600 likes, Mom look at me now, thanks everyone!

[MrPerfesser]

Yo-Yo is not just the world's greatest cellist. He is a national treasure for his work with children. He teaches, he mentors, he inspires, visiting schools and giving concerts and recitals. He was great friends with Fred Rogers and, like Fred, he dedicates much of his life to America's children.

[leszidel]

You might listen to how Leonard Bernstein introduced then 7 year old yo yo ma to an audience including President Kennedy.  More than a lesson in music, the event makes a universal statement about immigration.

[DD]

His father was a violinist and musicologist from China's Shanghai region. He specialized in composition and was widely respected for his talent as a music teacher. Ma's mother was a mezzo-soprano from Hong Kong. Ma's sister, older by four years, played the violin before obtaining a medical degree and becoming a pediatrician.

[soundbodycenter]

This is when i am so grateful for the internet- how wonderful to be able to see/hear this!

[drtmuir]

He hadn't started doing the lean-back-eyes-closed thing yet.

[DanYHKim]

It makes me weep to see how Bernstein articulates a vision of open internationalism and welcome in this nation, which has now become so closed.

Yo-Yo Ma played before President Kennedy at 7, and also played for President Obama's inauguration. What a life for him!

[muttleycrew]

Winner of the 1962 "cutest thing ever award".

[eleanoraitken]

THIS IS A PEICE OF HISTORY, JUST AWESOME

[gabbyc]

You guys don't understand, he MEMORIZED this at age 7. Normal 7 year olds can't even remember what they ate for lunch.


Edit: bad comparison, I should have compared it to an average 5th grade orchestra (10 year olds) who can barely count in 4/4. I am a violin major in college and I can assure you that it is not easy to memorize a piece this young. I can barely play a piece using muscle memory now because it's more difficult to get the intonation right on a string instrument. Even if you are a very skilled player, it can be very difficult if you don't train yourself to memorize from the early stages of playing.

[centaureg]

This document is almost equally as interesting for Bernstein's introduction of the Mas as it is for their performance. Leonard Bernstein was one of this country's true national treasures. He was brilliantly intelligent and as fine an interpreter as a composer. What is most arresting here is contrasting his words with what goes for speech out of DC now. Bernstein speaks of embracing differences not foolishly spouting division. Until recently it seemed mankind was ever bent on moving forward technically, in science and in the arts as well. What would a sensitive and worldly man of his time like Bernstein make of this time and how rapidly backward it moves? Thank goodness we still have ambassadors of inclusion and acceptance such as the remarkable Yo-Yo Ma, another national treasure.

[claudiamiller]

When I was a wee girl growing up on the south side of Chicago, I was utterly in love with Leonard Bernstein and waited breathlessly for each of his “Concerts for Young People” to air on TV. That voice! He really put an appreciation of classical music in my heart, right next to The Beatles, Jazz and Funk...thanks, Lenny!!

[cooldebt]

What a gracious introduction from a great musician himself. What musical genius we are blessed to hear.

[Ari-vklx]

As an African-American this makes me so happy. Yo Yo and his sus are American treasures. 7 and playing at this level. Most kids at this age are just watching cartoons. Bless you Yo!

[nelsonlugo]

Don't forget the delight on President Ike's face too!
Casals was my neighbor in San Juan, Puerto Rico; he was just cool as can be. Though born in Spain, he considered himself Puerto Rican and American. He was the greatest magnet for gifted talent that I have ever witnessed, bar none. Nuff sed.

[Illapatayta]

Just realized, before this I'd never heard Leonard Bernstein's voice

[rudolphmcneill]

A true prodigy. I've had the honor of seeing Mr Ma several times. He's such a gracious and humble person s well as being one of the great cellist of all time.