Yo-Yo Ma - The Essential (2005)

If you're a cello fan, this is the perfect addition to your CD collection. Yo-Yo Ma has been at the forefront of cello musicians for many years, and rightly so. His passion for music and his virtuosity is unparalleled. Yes, I'm sure there are other equally-talented cellists out there, but I can't imagine anyone else surpassing him in conveying the musical cello experience to the listener.
This collection of pieces is all over the map musically, which just enhances the enjoyment as it's not the same sound over and over. If one can wear out a CD, this one will be worn out soon due to regular rotation in my CD player.

Track List:

CD 1
1 Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: Prélude
by Yo-Yo Ma
2 The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": II. Largo
by Yo-Yo Ma
3 Cantata, BWV 147: Jesus bleibet meine Freude
by Yo-Yo Ma
4 Cantata, BWV 208: Schafe können sicher weiden
by Yo-Yo Ma
5 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
by Yo-Yo Ma
6 Carnival Of The Animals, R. 125: XIII. The Swan
by Yo-Yo Ma
7 Havanaise, Op. 83
by Yo-Yo Ma;Kathryn Stott
8 Thaïs: Méditation (Arr. for Cello & Piano)
by Yo-Yo Ma;Kathryn Stott
9 3 Old Viennese Dances: I. Liebesfreud
by Yo-Yo Ma;Patricia Zander
10 Three Preludes: I. Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
by Yo-Yo Ma;Jeffrey Kahane
11 Vocalise (From "14 Romances, Op. 34")
by Yo-Yo Ma & Bobby McFerrin
12 IV. Allegro from Sonata in D minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
by Yo-Yo Ma
13 Andante Cantabile for Cello Solo and String Orchestra, Op. posth.
by Yo-Yo Ma
14 IV. Rondo alla Zingarese. Presto from Quartet No. 1 in G minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 25
by Isaac Stern;Jaime Laredo;Yo-Yo Ma;Emanuel Ax
15 III. Finale. Allegro moderato from Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 104
by Yo-Yo Ma

CD 2
1 Cristal
by Yo-Yo Ma
2 A lenda do caboclo
by Yo-Yo Ma
3 Chega de Saudade (Live)
by Yo-Yo Ma;Kathryn Stott;Rosa Passos
4 Wapango (Live)
by Yo-Yo Ma;Paquito D'Rivera;Kathryn Stott
5 Libertango
by Yo-Yo Ma
6 Appalachia Waltz (Version for Cello) (Solo Cello Version)
by Yo-Yo Ma
7 Butterfly's Day Out
by Yo-Yo Ma;Edgar Meyer;Mark O'Connor
8 1B
by Yo-Yo Ma;Edgar Meyer;Mark O'Connor
9 Pickin' from Three Pieces for Solo Cello
by Yo-Yo Ma
10 Simple Gifts
by Yo-Yo Ma
11 The Mission: Gabriel's Oboe
by Yo-Yo Ma
12 The Mission: The Mission: The Falls
by Yo-Yo Ma
13 The Eternal Vow
by Yo-Yo Ma
14 The Cellist of Sarajevo, Op. 12
by Yo-Yo Ma
15 Chi passa per'sta strada
by Yo-Yo Ma
16 Mido Mountain (Chinese Traditional)
by Yo-Yo Ma
17 Mohini (Enchantment)
by Yo-Yo Ma;The Silkroad Ensemble
18 Baroque in Rhythm from Suite for Cello and Jazz Piano Trio
by Yo-Yo Ma
19 Anything Goes (From "Anything Goes")
by Yo-Yo Ma
20. I Could Have Danced All Night (Extended version)
by Yo-Yo Ma