One hour and 20 minutes into his marathon recital of Bach’s suites for un-accompanied cello at Leipzig’s historic Nikolai-kirche, as applause erupts after the Fourth Suite, Yo-Yo Ma does something at once strange and typical. Cello in one hand, he hops off the podium and starts jumping up and down, waving his arms and beaming as he encourages the audience to join him in an impromptu aerobics class. Then, quick as a flash, silence is restored, focus regained, and he launches into the sombre Fifth Suite.
萊比錫歷史悠久的尼古拉教堂(Nikolai-kirche)內,一場漫長的巴赫無伴奏大提琴組曲演奏會進行到了第1小時20分鐘。第四號組曲終了,臺下掌聲如雷,此時馬友友做出一個奇怪但又標志性的舉動。他一手抓著大提琴,跳下演奏臺,開始上下跳躍,同時揮舞著手臂,滿面笑容,鼓勵觀眾一同加入他的即興健美操課。稍頃,一切歸于寂靜,注意力再次集中,他開始了憂郁的第五號組曲的演奏。