Cello Concerti No. 1 (C Major / C-dur / Ut Majeur) / No. 2 (D Major / D-dur / Ré Majeur)

Released in 1981 on the CBS Masterworks label, this recording features cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerti in C Major and D Major, accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra. These concertos represent cornerstone works of the classical cello repertoire, with the C Major concerto having been famously rediscovered in 1961 after being lost for centuries. The production was part of an era in which CBS Masterworks sought to solidify Ma’s rising reputation as a premier interpreter of classical canon, capturing his technical precision and lyrical approach during the early stages of his distinguished career.

The album reflects the high production standards of CBS Masterworks during the early 1980s, emphasizing a clean, balanced soundstage that highlights both the soloist and the nimble support of the English Chamber Orchestra. Critics at the time praised the recording for its stylistic grace and the clarity of Ma’s articulation, noting that his interpretation brought a refreshing vitality to Haydn’s demanding compositions. The release remains a significant entry in Ma's discography, serving as a primary document of his engagement with the 18th-century concerto tradition.