The Obamas’ classical soirée - Page 2

In November Anastasia Tsioulcas experienced the President's arts outreach ideas at the White House

President Obama greets young musicians at the White House (credit: Rick McKay/White House photo office)

Sharon Isbin and Joshua Bell perform (credit: Rick McKay/White House photo office)

The First Lady made special acknowledgement of similar difficulties from the young musicians’ perspective when she addressed the masterclass students directly later in the afternoon. “I know that what you’re doing doesn’t always feel easy,” Mrs Obama said feelingly. “I know how hard you all work and practising even when you don’t feel like it sometimes, right? And lugging heavy instruments around when you don’t feel like it, pushing yourselves to learn new pieces, or getting that last measure just right. Many of you are perfectionists and it takes a lot of energy and time and it’s not always easy.

“But I can tell you this. It’s through that kind of struggle, whether it’s through an instrument or writing or research, it’s through that struggle that you find what you truly have to offer to your instrument, or to anything in life. And you won’t just learn about rhythm and melody and pitch when you’re working with your instruments; you’re going to learn about discipline and determination and taking risks.”

President Obama’s words were equally soaring. “This is, of course, a unique concert venue,” he remarked, referring to the historic East Room in which the recital took place, whose yellow drapes and warmly glinting chandeliers are famous to generations of Americans as the place from which the sitting President usually gives his televised addresses.

“But tonight, all across America, in community centres and concert halls, in homes and in schools, the sounds of classical music are lifting hearts and spurring imagination, just as they always have. And it’s easy to understand why. There’s precision, of course; but there’s also great feeling and improvisation.

“There’s structure; but there’s also creativity. It’s music that defies simple definition even as it speaks to a common, universal language.”

These were all very true and wise words from President and Mrs Obama. Nevertheless, it was hard to shake off the feeling that the President, the First Lady and their respective staffs – even as they were welcoming classical musicians young and old into their midst – consider classical music a museum culture, something of the past.