Yo-Yo Ma

Given Yo-Yo Ma's recent success leading wide-ranging collaborations with the Silk Road Ensemble, it's natural that his first holiday collection is a sophisticated, stylish trip though global holiday traditions, strung together by variations on the "Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace)" hymn. The cameo appearances -- Diana Krall, James Taylor, Joshua Redman and Chris Botti -- have lots of appeal to the urbane boomer set, but his work with Edgar Meyer and bluegrass mandolin prodigy Chris Thile is the best stuff, recalling his Appalachian Journey efforts.