CELEBRATING THE PAST

And the past continued to be celebrated during the inaugural events. The music played by the famous quartet--cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill--included "Simple Gifts," based on a Shaker song from the mid 1800s. The Shakers came to America in the 18th century and settled in their own villages. Their furniture and household goods are in a unique, simple style that's popular with museums and collectors today.