Fans emotional over video of Yo-Yo Ma playing ‘Amazing Grace’ on Kansas prairie
A soulful video of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, sitting on a wooden chair playing “Amazing Grace” on the Kansas prairie, is moving his fans to tears.
He posted the video, about a minute-and-a-half long, to his social media platforms Tuesday with this simple message.
“My wish for 2026 is that we can treat one another with dignity.”
The caption places him in the Flint Hills of Kansas, home of the Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve in Chase County.
He is seen surrounded by an ocean of brown prairie grass, gone dormant for the winter. He wears a dark winter coat with a scarf wrapped around his neck to ward off the wind ruffling his hair and the grasses around him.
He first plays a bit of the American Shaker song, “Simple Gifts,” then “Amazing Grace.”
The soft whoosh of the prairie wind is his only accompaniment.
The video comes at a time of tension in the United States following the weekend shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, referenced several times among hundreds of comments.
“I needed to hear this today. As we mourn for Minnesota and for our country, these melodies remind me that there is still hope.”
“Needed this today. Thank you YoYo Ma.”
“Today was chaotic, I wonder if the whole world was like that today. This was the opposite. Thank you for a lifetime.”
“Just what my soul needs, the call for Dignity.”
“Among the grasses of our nation your cello echos our heart…Tis a gift to be simple, to speak up, to hurt, to care. Thank you!”
“Can you play something for Minnesota? We are in such despair.”
The video is part of the “Kansas Series” at the Maven Gallery in Wichita. The film is by Austin Mann (producer) and Taylor McKay (videographer).
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 11:40 AM.
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