Ax also pointed out that this was the first time Ma was using an iPad, while he had a page turner. But Ma knows these works from memory and looked always to the side or up rather than at the computer. The program focused on three of Ludwig van Beethoven's sonatas, which they had recorded and won a Grammy Award for in 2022 for Best Chamber Music Performance.
Each represented a different decade in the composer's life and showed his growth as a composer over the many years. Before they got into the Beethoven, however, they began with the theme from Dvorak's “New World Symphony,” which has been arranged for cello and piano and called “Going Home.” Ma's rich, deep tone, Ax's gentle touch and deeply sensitive phrasing of the beautiful melody from both created an exquisite dynamic.
They are so in tune with each other's playing that balance and flow are second nature. It also provided the introduction to the Beethoven, which Ax said was like “going home.” They began with Cello Sonata Opus 5, No.
2 in G minor (1797) when the composer was 27. In two movements, the first movement is “gigantic” and extremely long with constantly exchanging melodies that ranged from exuberant to delicate. The second was lighter, shorter with a perky mood.
Ma showed off flair, used his vibrato judiciously. Ax was fleet of finger, little pedal. Huge applause, whistles, and a standing ovation.
The next was Cello Sonata Op.102, No. 1 in C Major (1817) when Beethoven was 47.
As Ma noted, it was.