IT was British violinist Nigel Kennedy who came to the rescue that summer 15 years ago. ''You can rent my flat in Hampstead,'' the enfant terrible said magnanimously.
''A funny, eccentric little place,'' Yo-Yo Ma recalls. Still, he was grateful. The rent was modest and he was practically broke. Best, he had his privacy. As the mercury rose and the flat started to resemble a furnace, Ma did the sensible thing. Then onemortifying day he was caught out.
''I was practising in my underwear, when suddenly a young couple walked in. 'Who are you?' I said, covering myself with my cello. 'We've rented this flat. Who are you?' said the girl.
''It could have been a disastrous situation, but they were also musicians and thought the whole thing was hysterical. We became instant friends and have stayed that way.'' The startled woman who saw Ma stripped for action eventually became more than a friend. Five years ago, Lancashire-born Kathryn Stott became his accompanist, forging one of the classical music world's most brilliant partnerships.
Next Wednesday and Thursday at the Cultural Centre Concert Hall, they will be creating their special magic courtesy of the Alcatel Alsthom Series.
A rich programme is in store - Bernstein, Beethoven, Falla and more - and while most eyes are bound to be fixed on Ma, he makes it clear that upstaging is not on.