Yo-Yo Ma, your #1 Classical Star! Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg/Sony Classical
For Hawai?i Public Radio’s 2019 Spring Fund Drive, listeners were invited to submit the names of their favorite classical music stars. The results were compiled and our classical music hosts, Gene Schiller, Craig De Silva, Howard Dicus, Sharene Taba and John Kalani Zak, wrote and produced brief vignettes on the life and music of the Top Ten. We’re listing them here as they are revealed on HPR-2 during the ten-day drive.
10. Arthur Rubinstein - Pianist
Known as a risk taker, a model of technical refinement, and the greatest interpreter of Chopin, Arthur Rubinstein valued the element of surprise in his performances.
9. Leonard Bernstein - Composer & Conductor
A conductor from the piano and mentor to many, Bernstein introduced the power of classical music to young and old alike.
8. Joshua Bell - Violinist
You never know where you might encounter the violinist known to bring people to tears.
7. Sir James Galway - Flute Player
This consummate entertainer was the first wind player ever to be knighted, and played with the HSO in November 2013.
6. Renée Fleming - Opera Singer
Known as not "a" beautiful voice, but "the beautiful voice," Tony-nominated Reneé Fleming finds a world in each song she sings.
5. Itzhak Perlman - Violinist
This virtuoso for the ages made his national debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.
4. Luciano Pavarotti - Opera Singer
This king of the high Cs (hardly "just another tenor") believed that a life in music is a life beautifully spent.
3. Martha Argerich - Pianist
At 77 years of age, "rock star" pianist Martha Argerich is still at the top of her game.
2. JoAnn Falletta - Conductor
JoAnn Falletta is one of the world's most sought-after conductors not just because of her skill and talent, but also because of her wonderful personality.
1. Yo-Yo Ma - Cellist
Your favorite classical star believes that music helps us understand our environment, each other, and ourselves.
