Yo-Yo Ma 'Finger-Synched' Inauguration Gig

Performers decided to play along to tape in 'wicked cold'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 23, 2009 5:05 AM CST

Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill & Gabriela Montero play along to John Williams Composition "Air And Simple Gifts" at Barack Obama's inauguration.
(spilzax)

The somber classical sounds that filled the Washington Mall ahead of Barack Obama's swearing-in came from a tape, reports the New York Times. When Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and the rest of the quartet realized that the freezing weather and strong winds would likely wreak havoc with their instruments they decided to play along to a recording they had made earlier.

Organizers stress that the intent was to avoid distracting slip-ups rather than fool people. The performers say using the tape was a last resort. "I really wanted to do something that was absolutely physically and emotionally genuine,” Yo-Yo Ma said. “We also knew we couldn’t have any technical or instrumental malfunction on that occasion. A broken string was not an option. It was wicked cold.” (More Itzhak Perlman stories.)

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