Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma Featured in John Williams' Inauguration Tribute
'Air and Simple Gifts' is a New Composition by 'Star Wars' Composer
Ma and Perlman were joined by Gabriela Montero on piano and Anthony McGill on clarinet. The piece was a new composition by Williams and was centered around the well-known Shaker folk song "Simple Gifts."
Just as the title states, the song was simple, but utterly beautiful in its simplicity. It began with a few solemn strains on the cello and piano, then faded away as Perlman took over on the violin. The violin and cello played off each other in a beautiful duet, both occasionally deviating into a solo, leaving the piano to accompany them.
Soon the somber strains were replaced as the clarinet introduced the "Simple Gifts" melody. Things began to speed up with joyful intensity as group took turns with the melody, eventually ending in the calm unity Williams is famous for. All in all, the performance was stunning in its passion and truly captured the emotion and excitement of the entire event.
Watch the performance here.
"Simple Gifts" was composed and written by Elder Joseph Bracket during his stay with the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine. Though often credited as a hymn or work song, it is neither. It was originally written as a dance song. Many know it from the orchestral variations by Aaron Copeland or by hearing it as a church hymn.
Violinist Itzhak Perlman is one of the greatest of his time. After finishing school at the Academy of Music in Tel Aviv and Juilliard, Perlman won the influential Leventritt Competition in 1964. Perlman has since performed with every major orchestra throughout the world and has conducted such orchestras as the London Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic.
Perlman has won 15 Grammy Awards and many others, including the National Medal of Arts, the Medal of Liberty and the Kennedy Center Honors. Perlman currently teaches at the Perlman Music Program and the Juilliard School as the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair.
Equally as renowned is cellist Yo-Yo Ma. A child prodigy, Ma began playing cello when he was four, though he had initially studied violin and viola. When he was eight years old, Ma was featured in a concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein. He studied under Leonard Rose at the Juilliard School and eventually enrolled at Harvard. Among his awards, Ma received the Avery Fisher Prize in 1978, the Glenn Gould Price in 1999 and the National Medal of Arts in 2001.
Ma was appointed a CultureConnect Ambassador by the United States Department of State in 2002 and has since met, trained and mentored thousands of students around the world. He was named a U.N. Messenger of Peace in 2006 by Secretary General Kofi Annan and in 2007, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon extended his appointment.
Schedule of Inauguration Events, WGNtv.com
Roger Lee Hall, Words About the Song, American Music Preservation.com
Published by Sarah F. Sullivan
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, emphasis in Writing. Freelance writer and editor for three years. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentYo Yo Ma is amazing. That music was actually the highlight of my watching the inauguration.
I agree that Itzah is one of the greatest. He is a jewel.
Well-written article about an inspiring performance by these two greats. You should have included background on McGill and Montero, especially because Montero was featured such a beautiful clarinet solo. However, I appreciated the links to the Shaker music background.
The performance will remain on my computer forever; I am waiting for the CD release by these four.
The piece and its performance were breathtaking. The music mirrored the joyful anticipation of the country at this time as well as the serenity and quiet confidence that President Obama exhibits.