Before Barack Obama took his oath of office this afternoon, he and the waiting crowds were treated to a musical performance featuring internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma , written by popular Star Wars composer John Williams.
Ma and Perlman were joined by Gabriela Montero on piano and Anthony McGill on clarinet.
Violinist Itzhak Perlman is one of the greatest of his time. The reigning virtuoso of the violin, he enjoys superstar status rarely afforded a classical musician. 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.
