World

Yo Yo Ma and Friends' Musical Ode to Honor Obama

by A. Tran | January 17, 2009 at 12:33 pm

2046 views | 21 Recommendations | 8 comments

For the first time, a classical quartet has been invited to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Presidents have chosen poets, sopranos, and even choirs to perform at past inaugurations.

But never before has one picked a classical quartet during such a critical moment in the ceremony.

It all began when the President-elect had asked Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman to perform, and they, in turn called John Williams, a frequent collaborator with both artists, "to help them prepare something to play." Mr. Ma chose the other two performers, clarinetist Anthony McGill and pianist Gabriela Montero to round out this unique and diverse quartet.

He's perhaps the most recognized classical musician on the planet. He's a cultural humanitarian whose good works have caught the ear of the next president of the United States.

"I have to pinch myself to actually believe that 'yes we can' do it," said renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

It won't be his first serenade, Yo Yo Ma has played for five sitting presidents.

We brought him to the Kennedy Presidential Library to share one of those memories.

At the tender age of seven, he and his sister played for President John F. Kennedy.

"This is unbelievable, isn't it? It was like 45 years ago," he said.

Mr. Ma is both student and teacher with a humility that can offer a lesson to even the most hopeless of cases.

The musical piece, Air and Simple Gifts was written by composer John Williams in honored of the 44th Presidential Inauguration. The piece will debut on Jan.20 and run about four minutes.

The quartet played the piece for the first time on Tuesday, Jan. 13, in New York. They will rehearse again and record it with Mr. Williams on Sunday, Jan 18 as an emergency back-up in case of inclement weather.

Chamber groups are not usually conducted so Mr. Williams will not be seen on Jan. 20, as he attends the inauguration as part of the crowd.

Along with Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and pianist Gabriella Montero will introduce their ode to Mr. Obama, a piece created by famed "Star Wars" composer John Williams.

Additionally, the quartet will also perform the traditional Shaker hymn, The Gift to Be Simple from Mr. Copland's 1944 ballet, Appalachian Spring, which Mr. Williams had arranged for this special quartet. It is well known in the classical music circle that Mr. Obama likes Aaron Copland's works.

Inauguration-related Articles provided by this writer on NP:

External Resources:

The Smithsonian Institution

The National Register of Historic Places in Washington D.C.

The National Mall

The Lincoln Memorial

The United States Capitol Building

The National Building Museum

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

Amy Judd

at 14:21 on January 17th, 2009

This will be lovely I think - I do enjoy Yo Yo Ma's playing.

A. Tran

at 14:57 on January 17th, 2009

Thanks so much Amy for your recommendation and comment. I also love Yo Yo Ma's playing. It's obvious that the President-elect likes Yo Yo Ma as a performer and for his humanitarian works over the years.

Karen Hatter

at 16:42 on January 17th, 2009

I am a big fan of Yo Yo Ma as well as Itzhak Perlman.

A. Tran

at 17:25 on January 17th, 2009

Thanks so much for your recommendation and sharing your thought on Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. I thought it was amusing to hear Mr. Ma who professed to be rather nervous about his performance on Jan.20.

Carl Johengen (not verified)

at 11:06 on January 20th, 2009

How wonderful and refreshing to have a president who appreciates the power of music and poetry! I thought Williams' piece, and in particular the exuberant performance, added so much to the solemnity and power of the day. I cried tears of joy!

CharlieS (not verified)

at 13:49 on January 20th, 2009

I am a huge fan of Itzhak Perlman and was overwhelmed by the piece on the whole. What a beautiful moment for our country.

Kehinde (not verified)

at 16:56 on January 20th, 2009

I have not been exposed to classical music alot, but I really enjoyed the musical piece by Yo Yo Ma.It was beautiful,and because of this I think I will explore more of the classical music genre.

A. Tran

at 17:53 on January 21st, 2009

Thanks Carl Joengen, Charlie S., and Kehinde for comments.

Yo Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman are undoubtedly the most prolific musicians who perform different kinds of music. Anthony McGill is a Metropolitan Opera's clarinetist, and Gabriela Montero made her debut with the New York Philharmonic under Lorin Maazel.