Maya Beiser: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Maya Beiser's Twitter handle - @CelloGoddess - says it all. She's a brilliant cellist with a stunning command of her instrument, and she's tightly tied to technology. Beiser takes the sound of her cello and runs it through loop pedals, effects and other electronics to make her instrument shimmer, drone and groove. Then there's her magnificent sense of melody.
It's not unusual to want to run in the other direction when you hear the words "experimental music," but Beiser's is an experiment that works. Time Loops, her 2012 album, is one of that year's hidden gems. To see the Israeli-born American musician perform this music alone and magnificently was enchanting, so we're thrilled to capture and share this cello goddess with you.
Set List
Osvaldo Golijov: "Mariel"
Michael Harrison: "Just Ancient Loops" Mvt. 1
Credits
Producer: Bob Boilen; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Gaby Demczuk, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Marie McGrory; photo by Marie McGrory

[@tdsims1963]

A friend of mine just turned me on to this cellist. I love to see someone taking "our" instrument to new and fantastic territories! Thanks you, thank you, thank you!

[@MyAFDA]

A testimony to where a talented musician can take classical music and fuse it with technology and other genres. Fantastic!!!!!

[@bluecrownblue]

Listening to her music saved my life one endless, bitter-cold winter in Boulder, CO. She's a genius.

[@YashaClone]

No words to describe how beautifully she makes that cello sing.

[@WGBHMusic]

Nice, the pedals & fx really create a nice full sound. Beautiful. Nice work, npr music! Nice to see a cello in the tiny desk space.

[@lisarosebearcat05]

I've been obsessed with this TDC for years. I'm so glad I came across her music through TDC!

[@Cj12sings]

Goddess indeed, rising up on the ocean of divine music she is creating....loved that slide @10:04.....one of the most lyrical, mystic, and intricately captivating performances I've ever seen!!!!!

[@goingsnakeh.spiritchaser5413]

I always come back to this & always will. So, so good.

[@danoneil8958]

Love Time Loops. So cool to run into this lovely bit of live music. Thanks Bob and others for your continued marvelous work at NPR.

[@LoganTrudeau]

I love how it looks like she is dancing with her cello.

[@blackzeb]

Haunting, beautiful, what an amazing sound she coaxes from the cello

[@aquariuswithfire]

Haven't seen anyone play in heels that high since KISS. Love this.

[@Chieftainteroix]

She’s so skilled.

[@TheWestbell]

Fantastic

[@frankagudelo9607]

¡¡¡Qué hermosa exploración sonora la de esta Gran Chelista!!! ES SIMPLEMENTE FASCINANTE!!!

[@kunzangrangdrol]

outstanding across the board! oozing with life, eloquence and mystery. well done!

[@unijaner]

They're called loops people, which she creates live and then plays over. It's NOT a BACKING TRACK! that's an insult.

[@abudor1]

Bewitching. A real cello goddess!!!

[@23riddles5]

Is all that music coming from just her??? Incredible!! :D

[@angelicavences9357]

23 Riddles back track

[@gryme]

angelica vences she's using loop pedals smh

[@georgewilson5665]

really love the range of sounds

[@lidetxu85]

Con danza❣💓

[@zackarylowell]

she is amazing... sounds like there are 3 people playing instruments

[@hobbi31t]

Amazing! I've never heard effect pedals on a cello, never thought I'd like to . . . but WOW. Also, how in the world does this have such few views and comments!?

[@hannathelion6844]

'Mariel' from Maya's transcendent 'World To Come' LP

[@veg1000]

just seen her at Bowie tribute, she is amazing

[@VisforVictor]

How did I miss your fabulous voice?!??

[@leyesdelaconsciencia]

beautiful eyes! awesome music!

[@dtpratt]

Wow. Wow. Wow!!

[@Kseale1]

Speechless!

[@urgamecshk]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you.

[@carrolly2k]

Absolutely Beautiful!

[@lucyvasquez8299]

you guys theres definitley a backing track.. not baggin on her but as a cellist myself, no one can play all of those parts

[@connorsherrets1170]

lmao it says in the description shes using loop pedals

[@themightychicken]

Beautiful

[@rabismenow]

shes a good place to start liking the cello. i can imagine the look on Mozarts face if he heard her play!

[@MattPerkins555]

She's using a loop pedal folks. It's no mystery.

[@alnakati]

Awesome!

[@teriscallon]

Wow!

[@coltenmilford6837]

I hope this is what heaven sounds like.

[@TheSnowsbeauty5]

magical, in a forest with pixies and unicorn and two beloved souls..intertwined:)

[@solthas]

Maya Beiser and Osvaldo Golijov make for an intimate experience.

[@azsastic69auspi24]

LO§2VE

[@meginy]

I thought I was putting on background music at work....Of course I am not able to work anymore and only want to listen now.

[@SuperBagMan217]

Holy cow!

[@Teona1212]

Maya is "cello goddess".

[@luvmamusic]

I want to work there so bad!

[@zMACHINEz]

wowzer

[@pascoulette33]

Une visite des mondes.

[@sonyalmon]

I would love to see her and Andrew Bird pair up for some music...

[@AndyMoranPhoto]

the real question is How does one get a job at that desk?

[@HappiestSadGuy]

Is there a backing track? I don't Cello. I stared at her hands....backing track indeed.

[@idem_live]

woooow n___n

[@BW3721]

How does one get a job at that office?

[@CagaRegras2]

whAT!

[@TheShadowoftheKnight]

Eargasm

[@indeestar1111]

be in my band?

[@MrAkifusion]

Cheap circus.