One hour and 20 minutes into his marathon recital of Bach’s suites for unaccompanied cello at Leipzig’s historic Nikolaikirche, 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.
莱比锡历史悠久的尼古拉教堂(Nikolaikirche)内,一场漫长的巴赫无伴奏大提琴组曲演奏会进行到了第1小时20分钟。第四号组曲终了,台下掌声如雷,此时马友友做出一个奇怪但又标志性的举动。他一手抓着大提琴,跳下演奏台,开始上下跳跃,同时挥舞着手臂,满面笑容,鼓励观众一同加入他的即兴健美操课。稍顷,一切归于寂静,注意力再次集中,他开始了忧郁的第五号组曲的演奏。