Yo-Yo Ma and long-time friend and musical partner Emanuel Ax reunite for this new recording of Beethoven’s complete works for cello and piano. Hope Amid Tears presents Beethoven’s five sonatas for cello and piano in the order in which they were composed, tracing an important arc in Beethoven’s development and approach as a composer. Included are Beethoven’s three sets of variations for cello and piano. Over 2 ½ hours of exquisite music on three CDs. Ma and Ax have made music together for more than 40 years, recording dozens of albums, earning five Grammy Awards, and performing on stages all over the world. Their friendship is not only rooted in a deep love of music, but also a shared sense of humor and keen perspectives on life’s joys and challenges.