Stephen Colbert Honours Yo-Yo Ma at 'The 34th Kennedy Center Honors'

Stephen Colbert honoured Cellist and friend of the show Yo-Yo Ma at The 34th Kennedy Center Honors’ with a funny, heartfelt, and touching tribute.

Hub Staffer Kris has kindly taken the time to write-up the transcript of Stephen’s tribute in case of any technical difficulties.

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen Colbert.

(Stephen walks on stage, stops halfway and greets the crowd before continuing to walk off stage. He then returns and approaches the podium.)

Stephen: Good evening Mr. President, Mrs. Obama, distinguished honorees, unregistered lobbyists.

Tonight we celebrate the greatest living cellist. Tonight we “cello-brate,” if you will.
Yo-Yo Ma is a friend, a hero, and an inspiration not just because he is a great musician but because he is a true adventurer. And he’s a fearless performer. He has done everything you could do with the cello except climb inside and ride it over Niagara Falls. But you know, you know in your heart that if he ever did, it would totally redefine our preconceived notions of what it can sound like to plunge to your death in a cello.

In fact, Yo-Yo was so accomplished so young that the only worry of his friends and his family was that he would peak too soon. Like so many, he would rise and then he would fall. But Yo-Yo didn’t. He just rose and rose. And then he… he spread out in the stratosphere like a—What does that? Like a… like a mushroom cloud. I guess, I guess what I’m saying is I believe Yo-Yo Ma is seeking to weaponize his cello. Mr. President, we must impose sanctions before it is too late. Because faced with such true greatness, you have to ask: where did it come from?

Of course, we all know the legend of how Yo-Yo went down to the crossroads and he met the devil there. And the devil said, “Sell me your soul, and I will make you the greatest player of all time.” And Yo-Yo said, “Oh, okay, thank you very much. That sounds lovely.” And the devil said, “Then prepare yourself ‘cause I’m gonna give your fingers the power to fly over those strings. When you play, men will cry and women will sigh because tonight Yo-Yo Ma, I will make you the greatest blues guitarist of all time.” And Yo-Yo said, “Well, that sounds lovely but I play the cello.” And the devil said… “Really, the cello? You are just gonna have to practice a whole lot. I’m sorry, I cannot help you. Good luck with that.”

And the thing is, Yo-Yo plays with such arresting beauty that you are tempted to look for a supernatural explanation. But of course, there isn’t any. There is just a completely natural explanation of the talent, the hard work, the daring, and the love that Yo-Yo gives to every moment onstage and off. So, Yo-Yo for honoring us with your art and with the example of your spirit, tonight we honor you.

(The lights dim and a video montage of Yo-Yo Ma begins to play)

Yo-Yo Ma: Every day I make an effort to go toward what I don’t understand.

Stephen: His first music was Bach. His first teacher: his father. By five, he had given his first concert. A year later the family moved from Paris to New York. At seven, he played for a president. Yo-Yo was adored as the heir apparent to the great classical tradition. But there was something other than notes he wanted to study. He packed up his cello and headed for Harvard. Monday to Friday he hit the books. On weekends, he hit the Brahms. Now he was ready to take his seat center stage. And then he turned into the wind and set off to discover the world. Then he wove the strings of his Strad into a silk road.

Yo-Yo Ma: I’m not brave. I’m actually pretty scared a lot of the time but I must like being scared because I keep doing things that scare me.

Stephen: He founded the Silk Road Ensemble to follow music along its ancient routes. After all, maps have boundaries, but music has none. “Thanks to all the musicians I’ve worked with,” Yo-Yo said, “I have found new meaning in my own music-making.” Whenever music can express gladness or sorrow, the everyday and the eternal you will find the man the world calls Yo-Yo.