Yo-Yo Ma in Concert

Yo-Yo Ma is playing the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on Friday, November 20, for a one-night-only performance with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. It's a single evening, not a run, so this is the only chance to catch him in Dallas this season. Music Director Fabio Luisi is conducting, and the program brings together two very different pieces.

The night opens with Mozart's Symphony No. 31 in D Major, known as the 'Paris' Symphony. The choice is a nod to Ma's birthplace, and the work is famous for its thunderous opening fanfares and a finale of celebratory fireworks. It's a bright, high-energy way to start the evening, and it sets a festive tone before the second half takes a turn.

After the break, the focus shifts to Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B minor, with Ma taking the lead. It's one of the great cello concertos, written as a testament to Dvořák's love and longing for his Bohemian homeland, and it's known for showcasing the cello's sensual, burnished voice. That's the main event of the night—a full-scale concerto that lets the cello carry the melody over the orchestra.

The concert is part of the DSO's 2026/27 season, which the orchestra has framed around the idea of inviting audiences to 'really listen.' It's a one-off appearance, so it's a standalone night rather than a recurring series. The performance is sold out, but for reference, many DSO concerts start at $38. It runs at 7:30 PM on Friday, November 20, at the Meyerson.