Watch Yo-Yo Ma's Covid-19 Vaccine Performance

Photo credit: Larry French - Getty Images
Photo credit: Larry French - Getty Images
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From Town & Country

After receiving his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, national treasure Yo-Yo Ma spent his 15-minute observation period soothing the souls of the newly inoculated at Berkshire Community College’s temporary field house clinic.

According to The Berkshire Eagle, Yo-Yo Ma took a seat alongside the back wall of the observation area and proceeded to perform an impromptu and socially distanced concert for whoever was lucky enough to be nearby at the time.

The world famous cellist is a part-time Berkshires resident and, according to a statement Richard Hall of the Berkshire COVID-19 Vaccine Collaborative gave to the Eagle, Ma “wanted to give something back” to the community healthcare workers. In Septmeber, Ma pulled a similar stunt when he and pianist Emanuel Ax performed a series of surprise pop-up performances atop a flatbed truck that drove the musicians around to various essential businesses including fire stations, local health departments, and UPS stores.

In fact, throughout the pandemic, Ma and his trusty cello have popped up randomly to delight and comfort people through music. Exactly one year prior to his vaccine concert, Yo-Yo Ma posted a recording of himself playing Dvořák’s "Going Home.” “In these days of anxiety, I wanted to find a way to continue to share some of the music that gives me comfort,” wrote Ma on Twitter.


Perhaps in another year, Ma will be able to return to the stage to regal audiences in-person. With more people getting vaccinated every day, and President Biden saying there's a chance we will reach herd immunity by late summer, there is reason to believe that such delightful experiences might actually be on the horizon.

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