A Good Day for Classical Music

Yesterday was the inauguration. It was also, I think, a good day for classical music for myself and the country. We spent most of the day in front of ABC and CSPAN watching the festivities, enjoying Charlie Gibson’s enthusiasm and the uncommented upon ceremonies. I was particularly impressed by Obama’s choice to have a small musical interlude before the actual swearing in – not only because I did the same thing at my wedding last year, but because I think it put the oath taking in a special light. The performance was elegant – Perlman’s tone was exquisite and Ma’s cheeriness infectious. The pianist, Gabriella Montero wore fingerless gloves and the McGill, the clarinet player had a velvet tone.

Now to the music. It was written by John Williams and was a small set of variations on the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts,” made more famous by its use in Copland’s Appalachian Spring and no doubt used here to convey a sort of Americana reverence. The variations were simple, after an introduction – moody and serious – it continued in the manner of a modernized version of a Mozart variation, more and more notes in the same amount of time. The music was cheery and upbeat, a good advertisement for classical music – the were a few angular moments but all in al a pretty good revamp of Copland. Let’s hope that Obama continues the trend toward support of the arts – and not just John Williams.