United Nations Radio

October 24th is celebrated as United Nations Day. And this year, UN staff were treated to a concert by The Silk Road Ensemble.

The group brings together musicians, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers, all from various backgrounds. It is led by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

YO-YO MA:In the 10 years that we've been working on the Silk Road projects, we've been to many places. I think we have travelled around the world. And one of the things that I am really struck by is by the audiences we've encountered, by the partners we've worked with, and by the friendships that have developed from the ensemble members.

NARR:The performance at the United Nations also kicked off the 10th anniversary of the Silk Road project. On the morning of the concert, Yo-Yo Ma and several ensemble members celebrated their milestone with a special breakfast briefing at UN headquarters.

NARR:To call Yo-Yo Ma a global citizen would be an understatement. He was born in Paris to Chinese parents who later moved to New York. As in his solo career, Yo-Yo Ma's work with the multinational Silk Road Ensemble takes him to all corners of the globe. So it's perhaps no surprise to know that in addition to being a celebrated performer, he is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

YO-YO MA:I think passion is so important because when you're passionate, you're curious. If you're curious and you find things and you're sparked by something and you have many sparks, I think you end up learning and teaching at the same time 'cause you're generous. I think that passion is important because what leads to passion, to me, is something that joins performers and teachers together. It's about saying that this is so important that I want it to live in you!

NARR:The magical moment arrived. And staff members, who had waited in line for the prized concert tickets, took their seats in the General Assembly Hall. The chamber is usually filled with diplomats delivering speeches on matters of global importance such as hunger, disease and climate change. But perhaps music--and its ability to unite people--should also be on that list. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

BAN:May the music of Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble inspire us in our mission. Please enjoy the music and this evening, and thank you very much.

Producers: Florence Poblete/Dianne Penn

(duration: 4'06")