Inauguration Music?

[Dan Schultz]

Great music for the presidential inauguration today. Good job, band! Can someone provide me with a list of all of the tunes played?

[jeopardymaster]

I was multitasking at work but what I heard was pretty darned good, especially given the cold temps. Picked out the VW Folk Song Suite, El Capitan and the National Emblem (obviously) but that one march early on was a puzzler.

Toward the end of the day, during the parade, I caught an NPR interview - uncredited but most audible was a great one, Semper Paratus.

[contravic]

[quote]but that one march early on was a puzzler./quote]

If I'm not mistaken that was Americans We by James Henry Fillmore Jr. near the beginning. They paused for a few words then played the trio section later on. Great march! Here's a recording and some facts about the composer at the beginning on you tube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHb0OV4dU0A" target="_blank

-Vic

[Tom]

I caught a bit of (edit: make that Chimes of Liberty), but it was incorrectly identified on TV as being Stars & Stripes Forever (which they did play later on)

[Tom Holtz]

I'll put the pdf's of the ceremony and prelude programs here for the time being.

[Dan Schultz]

I'll put the pdf's of the ceremony and prelude programs here for the time being.

Thanks, Tom. That was a very good program.

[Dean E]

I can't forget the international quartet that performed John Williams' "Air and Simple Gifts."

Yo-Yo Ma (Chinese-American)
Anthony McGill (African-American)
Gabriela Montero (Venezuelan-American)
Itzhak Perlman (Israeli-American)

[Alex C]

I can't forget the international quartet that performed John Williams' "Air and Simple Gifts."

Yo-Yo Ma (Chinese-American)
Anthony McGill (African-American)
Gabriela Montero (Venezuelan-American)
Itzhak Perlman (Israeli-American)

Actually, I believe both Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman are naturalized citizens. They were born in other countries to parents who were not citizens of the US. That would make them naturalized citizens rather than hyphenated Americans.

Gabriela Montero identifies herself as a resident of Venezuela and is referred to on several sites I visited, as Venezuelian. I could not find that she has become a naturalized citizen.

On the other hand, why refer to their ethnic heritage at all? If they played as fabulous musicians, let that fact speak for itself. It doesn't bother me that Montero may not be an American citizen. I think that their performance should be the point, not their heritage.

[Alex F]

Anthony McGill grew up on the south side of Chicago and participated in the Merit Music Program, which was started about 35 years ago to provide quality music instruction to children who could not afford music lessons. Today, he is the principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and his brother is principal flute of the San Diego Symphony.

[Alex F]

What music was played by the Marine Band right after Obama was introduced as President-elect? Was that the Weinberger piece? I have heard this before but rarely.I know that after he took the oath of office, the band played "Hail to the Chief".

[TubaRay]

I can't forget the international quartet that performed John Williams' "Air and Simple Gifts."

Yo-Yo Ma (Chinese-American)
Anthony McGill (African-American)
Gabriela Montero (Venezuelan-American)
Itzhak Perlman (Israeli-American)

Actually, I believe both Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman are naturalized citizens. They were born in other countries to parents who were not citizens of the US. That would make them naturalized citizens rather than hyphenated Americans.

Gabriela Montero identifies herself as a resident of Venezuela and is referred to on several sites I visited, as Venezuelian. I could not find that she has become a naturalized citizen.

On the other hand, why refer to their ethnic heritage at all? If they played as fabulous musicians, let that fact speak for itself. It doesn't bother me that Montero may not be an American citizen. I think that their performance should be the point, not their heritage.

Well-stated, Alex. You are obviously making a great deal of sense. This is no longer permitted in this country.

[eupher61]

Thanks, Tom.

[GC]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Marine Band, but the herald trumpets that did the fanfares for dignitaries as they entered were like fingernails on a blackboard.

[TonyTuba]

I thoroughly enjoyed the Marine Band, but the herald trumpets that did the fanfares for dignitaries as they entered were like fingernails on a blackboard.

I would not wish that gig on my worst enemy. 20 degrees, standing around, then having to belt out those things, COLD COLD COLD!!!! NO ONE could do what they did. They are heroes.

[TubaRay]

The Marine Band sounded unworldly when the conditions are factored in.

I'd like to add my kudos to all those who were able to play at such a high level under those conditions. I would consider myself lucky to even be able to buzz my lips when placed in such a situation.

[GC]

Yeah, that kind of gig is hellish at best. They have to stand at attention and can't keep air going through their horns to keep them warm. The guys on the high parts were pretty much nailing their stuff. It was the ones on the lower parts that were having more of the problems. Plus the microphone placement was causing the low parts to be picked up much more clearly than the highs.

[Alex C]

Well-stated, Alex. You are obviously making a great deal of sense. This is no longer permitted in this country.

Purely accidental, I promise.

[Alex C]

Anthony McGill grew up on the south side of Chicago and participated in the Merit Music Program, which was started about 35 years ago to provide quality music instruction to children who could not afford music lessons. Today, he is the principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and his brother is principal flute of the San Diego Symphony.

I have been reading a lot lately and recommend Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell to anyone interested in why some people succeeed and others don't. This book demonstrates that much success is due to two things, interest and opportunity.

I think the Merit Music Program and others like it prove their worth with results that are demonstrated by these two men. There are other factors, to be sure, but it is hard for a program like this to toot its own horn so I'll toot it for them.

[Lauronie]

I definitely heard Pershing's play March Grandioso as they went by. It was COLD!

[MikeS]

I'll add my voice to those awestruck by the ability to play well and in tune on icy cold horns. I also noted that the string section had what looked to be a complete set of carbon fiber instruments. Does anyone know how long they have had these and who made them? I'm not sure what instruments Perlman and Ma were playing. Ma was definitely not using the Davidoff Strad cello he normally uses for indoor concerts. That was probably a wise choice.