If fashion and music go hand in hand—and of course they do—then think of playlists like a wardrobe, personally curated and deeply reflective of the wearer’s lifestyle, outlook and more. This particular one shows the diverse stylings of world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the musical director of the May issue of the iconic fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar, which is producing a series of playlists with different musicians, available only on Apple Music. Throughout the pandemic, Yo-Yo Ma held virtual concerts for hospitals and played pop-up shows for frontline workers from a flatbed truck with pianist Emanuel Ax. “Humans are inventive,” Ma says. “We find other ways to reach out when we can’t be physically close together.” For this month’s issue, the instrumentalist curated a playlist around the theme of beauty—a notion that, for him, centres on human nature and how we connect with one another and the natural world. “By playing the cello, I’m interpreting what I think, feel and touch through my hands,” he explains. “This playlist unites all of that.” It features a wide range of icons across genres, from country pioneer Dolly Parton, who “always maintains the voice of hope and generosity”, to legendary Italian scorer/composer Ennio Morricone to Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila, who represent “the courage and resilience of a people who find beauty amidst wars, bombs and chaos.” With each issue of Harper’s Bazaar, this playlist will update with picks by their latest musical director, so stay tuned.