Inauguration quartet

Greg Vincent · From: Folsom, CA USA

Did anyone see the performance by Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill during the inauguration ceremonies Tuesday?

It was so perfect! But... was it too perfect?

I know these musicians are some of the finest in the world, but I find it hard to imagine that this performance --and the miking & broadcasting of it-- could have sounded SO flawless in that VERY COLD and windy outdoor environment.

I even thought I heard reverb on the instruments --maybe that was done "live" by an effects processor downstream of the mics? I dunno. But it seemed to me like TV viewers might have been hearing a pre-recorded version of the piece.

Anybody heard anything about this or have any (NON-POLITICAL) thoughts?

-GV

Mitch Drumm · From: Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake

I saw a report that all of the artists pre-recorded their music several times at the afternoon rehearsal because they would never have carried on the sound system.

Also:

The NY Times just had an article about the high-tech carbon cello that Yo was playing:

January 19, 2009

Cold Case: The Sound of Carbon for Yo-Yo Ma?

by Chris Museler

When the cellist Yo-Yo Ma takes to the inaugural stage on Tuesday, the instrument he will have may take music enthusiasts by surprise. Black, with a single-piece body, neck and peg box, and with no scroll at the top, the cello is a high-tech carbon-fiber instrument designed to withstand the cold.

Created by Luis Leguia and his Massachusetts-based company, Luis and Clark, the cello is unaffected by temperature and humidity, which can crack or split the delicate antique instruments that professionals usually use. Mr. Ma plans to play his Luis and Clark cello if the weather warrants, said his manager, Mary Pat Buerkle. His other cello, a 1733 Montagnana from Venice, is worth more than $2 million. Mr. Ma will be playing a score by John Williams with Itzhak Perlman on violin, Gabriela Montero on piano and Anthony McGill on clarinet. Mr. Perlman could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Ma is not the only inaugural string player using a Luis and Clark instrument. At the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, the entire Joint Service Orchestra string section -- 44 musicians in all -- played the company's carbon-fiber cellos, violins, violas and basses.

"My cello is a couple hundred years old," said Staff Sgt. Ben Wensel, a cellist in the United States Army Band, before rehearsing on Friday in 14-degree weather. "I wouldn't dare take it outside in this."

Sergeant Wensel said that this would be the first time a major orchestra had exclusively used carbon string instruments. The orchestra is a combination of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine bands.

Mr. Leguia, who studied under Pablo Casals and played cello for the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 44 years, came up with the idea for a composite cello after going sailing on a fiberglass Hobie 16 catamaran. He was struck by how efficiently the boat's hulls transmitted the sound of the waves. "The greatest instruments can be heard through the din of an orchestra," he said in a telephone interview. "I saw potential in that."

The first cello Mr. Leguia built was of fiberglass in 1990. He then moved to carbon, partnering with Steve Clark, a champion sailor and carbon-fiber expert from Rhode Island. Mr. Clark helped refine the design and construction process, and the Luis and Clark cello was born.

About 12 Luis and Clark instruments are manufactured each week at Clear Carbon and Components in Bristol, R.I. The cello costs $7,139. Each instrument takes about a week to build and is handmade of layers of carbon fiber and epoxy. More than 600 have been produced.

As for the sound, Mr. Leguia said that he had tried to maintain the full-bodied sound of top-end instruments, but at a much lower price. A carbon cello, he said has a "flooding, deeper sound," though "not quite as penetrating" as Mr. Ma's Montagnana.

René Morel, who deals in fine string instruments in Manhattan, has said the sound is as close as you can get to a traditional top cello like a Stradivarius without being one. The cellist Aldo Parisot, a longtime instructor at the Yale School of Music, has been recommending Mr. Leguia's cellos to his students for everyday use.

Sergeant Wensel said that his instrument "sounded a little raw at first," but that "the sound has opened up for me."

"It's a good cello," he added, "not just a good carbon cello."

John Steele · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

I specifically looked at Yo-yo Ma's cello during the inauguration ceremony to see if he was playing the carbon fibre cello which he endorses. I decided he was not, as it was not the standard carbon fibre colour I've seen advertised, and also because the one he played had violin corners, when all the Luis & Clark carbon fibre ones I've seen had rounded bouts.
Of course I could be mistaken.

Last year I did a gig with a bass player who bought the very first carbon fibre double bass produced by Luis & Clark. It sounded ok when played with the bow, but I found it's pizzicato tone lacking. This bass had the rounded bouts, no violin corners, and the owner said it was very hard to carry around because of that. It didn't seem any lighter than a wooden upright bass to me.

As the player of one of these instruments, I guess the conveniences and durability of these instruments make them desirable. But from the point of view of the piano player who listened to it's tone all night, I gave it a respectful thumbs down.
-John

John Steele · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

If you go to this page and scroll down, you'll see what I mean. This is a drastically different looking instrument than the one he had at the inauguration.

http://www.luisandclark.com/testimonials.php

-John

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

They really hit some beautiful harmonies. I know that some people found it boring, but I was totally floored.
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Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

...beautiful...but pre-recorded...I think I heard that piece as a news show theme years ago...
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Mitch Drumm · From: Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake

Steve:

I think it was just John Williams' arrangement of "Simple Gifts", written by a member of the Shaker sect in the 19th century. Aaron Copland quoted it in one of his works also. More pretentiousness from Williams.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

It incorporated the theme from Aaron Copeland's "Appalachian Spring" (based on a Shaker hymn, 'It's Good To Be Simple') which I think is what you were hearing. Yes, that was used by.....man, I forget. I'm thinking of Cronkite but I can't pin it down.

--Mitch beat me to it.....

John Steele · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

Regardless of theatrical considerations, it was cool, although I can relate to your "flow" comment, Jon.

As an aside, and as an expression of my own neighbourly pride, I'd point out that "Hymn To Freedom" composed by Canadian jazz piano icon Oscar Peterson, was included as part of the proceedings.

I still find the cello commentary interesting. I wonder if Yo-Yo might have borrowed a pawn shop horn to drag out on the steps for the camera. I also wonder what instrument he chose to use for the official pre-recorded music. I mean, if you're dueling with Itzhak (Goliath), would you really take a slingshot ?

-John

Gary Anwyl · From: Palo Alto, CA

There was an article in the NY Times about how they were playing along to a recording because the conditions were just too harsh for a live performance:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/arts/music/23band.html?_r=1&hp

I can't blame them.

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

Jon,Cronkite sounds right...pretty sure it was a CBS news show-not the"Evening News"but one of those history things...thanks...
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Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

While I'm not particularly a fan of John Williams, I thought the music fit the occasion perfectly. Under the circumstances, I think there was a point to a reflective, introspective, and even somber section like this - I thought they got "flow" correct.

On the pre-recording - I think it was much too cold to do this live with sensitive acoustic instruments like this. We're talking about some of the very finest musicians in the world, not Milli Vanilli. I think they made the correct production decision.

Jeremy Steele · From: Princeton, NJ USA

I like Yo yo's quote about why they used the track..."A broken string was NOT an option...it was WICKED cold"

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Greg Vincent · From: Folsom, CA USA

Thanks for the info, folks. I guess my initial impression was correct!

Only thing that bothers me about the pre-recording thing is that it encourages non-musicians --who are probably unaware that the song is taped-- to think that music is just "easy"; that a perfect performance can just be "served-up" no matter the conditions; that music is not hard work and dedication; that musicians are just machines that can be turned on & off like a CD player.

Anyone else feel that way?

-GV

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I wish Aretha had pre-recorded her performance. That was painful!

Yo-Yo Ma is the best musician of his generation, in my opinion. I have several of his CDs.
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Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

I'm just glad Aretha was there.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

re: Aretha---I haven't heard her in a while. Do you think her performance reflected diminishing skills or just very cold pipes? I wouldn't use the word 'painful' but although the sound of her voice, even on this occasion, is like an old friend, it certainly was a limited performance. Among other things, the money shot of that song is the climactic "from every mountainside let freedom ring", the highest notes of the song. She didn't even attempt to reach them. Seems like once upon a time she would have made that line hers---owned it.
Not being a singer, I don't know squat but it seemed to me like the sound of frozen pipes.
FWIW, while I totally accept the quartet's decision to lip sync it, I would have been pretty disappointed in her or anyone else's failure to do it live. Memories of Whitney Houston. A faked, staged moment that lost a LOT, for me, because it was stage managed and sync'd by people who cared more about gloss than realness.

Mike Neer · From: NJ

I really enjoyed it, although I found the ending a bit unsettled.
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Frozen pipes, for sure. Aretha Franklin is still a great singer.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

I think Aretha has a few top notes that she
couldn't hit that day from a cold constricted throat.
Still, I'll go with feeling over precision on a day this cold.

I agree taking 2-3rd string instruments out in a deep freeze
with a great recording of best choice instruments was a good one.

I really enjoyed the piece, and more so because it sounded correct.
I would NEVER want to bring Yo Yo's cello or Itzak's violin
out into that weather, it would be madness.

In the end these people PLAYED the music themselves, no fakery,
These gentlemen are the best of TWO generations.
Itzak being a bit older. I have worked with both
of them in NYC, and they are truly gentlemen.

They just played to their own recording for multiple safety reasons.
A legit call.

Can you imagine playing your PSG in that weather...?
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Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

Funny, no one has mentioned the question of what violin Itzhak Perlman was playing. (Though the sound broadcast does seem very likely to have been prerecorded, at least Perlman and Ma were certainly not merely miming with the instruments they were holding.) Perhaps an illustration of the charisma, or "star quality", aspect of the life of performing musicians. Regardless of whether the sound heard was live or prerecorded, none of the musicians posting here have made even passing mention of Mr. Perlman or his instrument--and he is by universal acclamation one of the greatest violinists alive.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Brit may a note the post above yours:

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