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

Released in 1980 on the CBS Masterworks label, this recording features cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concertos No. 1 in C Major and No. 2 in D Major, accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra. These concertos serve as cornerstones of the cello repertoire, with the C Major concerto having been rediscovered in 1961, sparking significant interest in the instrument's classical-era literature. This release arrived at a pivotal moment in Ma’s early career, capturing his interpretive freshness and technical precision during his rise to international prominence.

The production sought to highlight the balance between Haydn’s refined late-18th-century structure and the expressive capabilities of the modern cello. By pairing Ma with the English Chamber Orchestra, known for their polished, historically informed approach to classical repertoire, the recording achieved a clean, transparent sound. Upon its release, it was widely praised by critics for Ma’s lyrical phrasing and the seamless synergy between the soloist and the ensemble, cementing the album’s status as a standard-setting interpretation of these works.