Artists everywhere have felt moved to respond to the current pandemic in a way which is both personal and universal. This is no less true of classical musicians, who have been as affected by this crisis, whether to greater or lesser degrees, as the rest of us. It was therefore inevitable that long-time musical partners and friends, pianist Kathryn Stott and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, would have used the medium of recorded music to bring comfort and hope to countless listeners around the globe – in such a personal, intimate way.

Songs of Comfort and Hope

Most of these songs – arranged for cello and piano by composers past and present – have over the years meant different things to different people. But the music shares a certain quality which is inherently...