Washington Performing Arts presents acclaimed Chinese-American Cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the National Cathedral as part of a two-year journey that will bring Bach’s complete solo cello suites to a limited number of locations on six continents. It is a journey motivated not only by the music’s significance in his life—it is among the very first he ever played—but also by Bach’s ability to speak universally. Writing in the New Yorker last year, critic Alex Ross proclaimed Ma’s Hollywood Bowl performance of the Bach suites “the loveliest experience of my listening year” adding, “it was as if music had stilled the world.”

As part of this event, the Library of Congress will present a display of treasures and manuscripts relating to J.S. Bach and Yo-Yo Ma’s career.