In a time when our nation feels chaotic and toxic, two musical artists have come together to convey a creative message of love and healing with precision and passion.
By John Lavitt
Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 08-31-2025
Presented by the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl, the coming together of Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma was an inspired success. Their collaboration is titled “Sarabande Africaine,” reflecting a heartfelt effort to reconnect the sarabande dance, which originated in 16th-century Africa and Latin America, with its European Baroque development.
While honoring the rich heritage of the African diaspora’s creative power, the name symbolizes the fusion of classical music with West African rhythms and melodies, creating a new, unified cultural expression. At the core of this expression, the two artists aim to produce an antidote to the toxicity of today’s world.
Indeed, it is clear why this review emphasizes the importance of bringing heart to this project. The emotional connection for the artists is undeniable. However, why would this reviewer use both ‘spirit’ and ‘soul’ in the title? Are they not basically the same thing? Isn’t one a synonym for the other?
In the context of this show, from a first-person perspective, spirit and soul are distinct aspects of a broader concept that is essential to creativity and cultural expression. Spirit is the verbal expression of a person’s relationship with a higher power, and soul refers to an almost physical sensation of transcendent presence within. The energy and verve of the show were rooted in the spirit of two great artists as they played their instruments (cello and voice) and shared their stories with passion and power.
However, the soul is the transcendent force behind the spirit, allowing the message to be so powerful and convey so much to such a large audience. Although the souls of Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma entered this world whole and perfect, they have still put in the work to expand and evolve their connections to and expression of the transcendent within.
Indeed, in the Christian tradition, this is what it means when Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” There is nothing external—no amount of money or material possessions—to fill the hole if you have not cultivated the beauty of your soul. The spirit is how the soul interacts with the world through creativity and love, expression, and connection. As masterful interactive souls, both Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma exemplify what happens when this priority is placed first and cherished above all.
Among a multitude of talented musicians from around the world, Martinican pianist Thierry Vaton and French percussionist David Donatien provided perfect support for the two artists. Their explorations ranged from Kidjo’s reinterpretation of Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 5 into a song named “Aisha” with lyrics in the Yoruba language to a beautiful reimagining of George Gershwin’s “Summertime” in the Fon language.
The highlight of the night might have been the politically charged rendition of “Once In A Lifetime” by The Talking Heads, featuring Kidjo’s powerful vocals and Yo-Yo Ma’s melodic classical lines that enhanced the Afropop-inspired arrangement.
From start to finish, when a spiritually intoxicated audience left with broad smiles and positive vibes, the show was nothing less than a hopeful revelation.
Photos by Elizabeth Asher, Courtesy of the LA Phil
