The world premiere of Air and Simple Gifts, composed and arranged for the occasion by John Williams, and performed by a quartet comprised of violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist Gabriela Montero. This marked the first time a classical quartet has performed at a presidential inauguration.
Below are links to articles critical of Air and Simple Gifts:
John Williams’s ‘Simple’ Misunderstanding
By Anne Midgette – Washington Post
By Mark Swed – Los Angeles Times