I’m happy to share an MP3 of John Williams’ beautiful arrangement, “Air and Simple Gifts”, played moments before Barack Hussein Obama took his oath as the 44th President of the United States. The musical ensemble is nothing to scoff at — the legendary cellist Yo-yo Ma, Israeli-American Itzhak Perlman on the violin, Venezuelan-American pianist Gabriela Montero and African-American musician Anthony McGill on the clarinet — put together a masterpiece that will long be remembered throughout history.
Download it here.
If you like it, please Digg the story 
Update: I just learned it was pre-recorded. They decided to record the song two days before because they predicted the weather would be too cold for the instruments to play in tune. Still awesome though, right?
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January 21st, 2009 at 8:01 am
Thanks Andrew – can I ask how you acquired this? I’d like to share the link, but as a composer myself, I’d feel more comfortable if I knew it was legal and above-board. Thanks.
January 21st, 2009 at 11:43 am
Thank you so much for posting this!
January 21st, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Thanks Andrew. This song was awesome.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 am
@Rob: Hi Rob, I found it on a usenet site. I’m not sure what license is attached to it but I thought it would be something John Williams would like to share with everybody. If you feel unsure about sharing it directly, you can give them my download link instead.
@Christopher and Juan: You’re welcome
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:23 am
[...] Without further ado, here is the video, and, if that’s not enough, you may download the mp3 file here! [...]
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
[...] entire time. I was floored. If you were too, you can find a link to download the performance here. Perlman and Ma are two of my favorite string performers, I practically worship them. Both were [...]
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Thanks! I’ve been looking for this. Beautiful piece
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Dugg. Thanks a lot.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’ve been looking for an Mp3 of this for days. Thank you so much for posting this.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Thank you so very much for sharing this most beautiful and memorable feature of the inauguration. I too have been looking for it since that first broadcast.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 am
Thanks for sharing this piece. It’s actually based on another piece called “Simple Gifts” composed in or around the 1850’s. The pre-recording certainly explains the high quality of the broadcast audio.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
Andrew – thank you. Watching the inauguration live from E. Africa (home of President Obama Father!) was really moving, and I feel that it was that much more special because the moment he became president, he, like us, was listening to this beautiful piece of music. Even if nothing new happens from now on, change has come, and what a way to herald that change. My congratulations to John Williams, and the extremely talented quartet – and of course to the 44th US President, Barack H. Obama…JaKogelo!!!
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
thanks so much:) – the link was very much appreciated
January 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Oh, thank you for helping me relive this moment from the Obama inauguration! I could not hold back my tears as I heard this beautiful and stirring music usher in our new President, Barak Obama. I believe this music exemplifies the excitement, harmony and thoughtfulness he can bring to our world. Air and Simple Gifts will always be remembered as Track 1 of Barak Obama’s presidency.
January 25th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Thank you for the download. I was looking for this music. It’s beautiful and really captured the feeling of President Obama’s inauguration. It just sounds so hopeful.
Thanks again, Andrew. By the way, you have a great name LOL
January 25th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Thanks you. I had to go to you tube when I wanted to hear!!!!
LOL Do I owe you 99 cents or the musicians. Better yet tell them I am your cousin and you give it to as a gift.
January 26th, 2009 at 2:44 am
Classic,I like it very much,thanks
January 28th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Mr. Williams…
Waw
He Did it Again
January 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Simply Amazing!!!
January 31st, 2009 at 12:06 am
i was unable to download it please can you help
January 31st, 2009 at 12:43 am
@Andrew: try harder
February 9th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Does anyone else see the resemblance between a segment of Air and Simple Gifts and Mouret’s Rondeau?
February 9th, 2009 at 11:22 am
andrew thank you so muxh for putting this on the web.thanks
February 18th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Thank you so much for posting this song! I have been trying to find it since the inauguration. I love this song, i think its brilliant. Thanks again!
February 24th, 2009 at 9:49 am
If you like this, try Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite” Simple Gifts dominates the main theme…enjoy!