Classical Music At The White House With Michelle Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama introduces a classical music recital at the White House.

MRS. OBAMA: Well, hello. (Laughter.) Good afternoon. Welcome to the White House. How's it been going? We've heard you everywhere. Good music going on.

So I am -- I'm thrilled that you could join us for this music workshop, where you've had a chance to learn from some of the greatest classical musicians alive today. And now we have a chance to hear from all of you, the classical music superstars of tomorrow. Is that who's in the room? Say yes. (Laughter.) Yes, that's me! Say yes. Own it! It's me! (Laughter.)

With us today are Joshua Bell on violin, Alisa Weilerstein on cello, Sharon Isbin on guitar, and Awadagin Pratt on piano. (Applause.) They are the best in the world, and we're incredibly lucky to have them today.

I also want to thank two of our youngest performers, Jason Yoder -- Jason, where are you? Hey, Jason. Jason blew me away in Pittsburgh, and so much so that when we organized this, I said, get Jason. And Jason is here. Yay for Jason.

And also Sujari -- how are you? -- Sujari Britt, who's only eight years old, Sasha's age, but is already performing on a regular basis. Let's give those two a round of applause. (Applause.) We're so proud of you both.

And finally I want to thank all of you young people who have come from all over the country to play together, to learn together, and hopefully to make new friends today. I love events like this because this is what the White House is all about. It's the People's House. We say that all of the time. It's a place that's steeped in history. You can look on -- the pictures on the walls, and there are so many stories that can be told. But also it's a place where we like to start new traditions and to bring people together in different ways.

And that's what we're doing today, because nothing mixes old and new quite like classical music. Many of the beautiful concertos and sonatas you're playing today were written hundreds of years ago, long ...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Michelle
• Obama
• Classical
• Music
• White
• House
• Recital

[Generalterz]

the best in the world ... that's an arguable point ...

[dwsheena]

Oh my gosh, Joshua Bell?!! GASP 54:30?? Memory glitch!!

[classicalalways]

Very nice idea for an event on so many levels. The last president to really emphasize classical music was Carter who brought the truly greatest musicians of the time to perform - but the performance was a celebration of those artists. Here, we have just pure enjoyment of music with stars and non-stars. Some performances are at a high level, and some not. What does not change and what is great is the true feeling throughout of celebrating music itself.

[DrJacquesCOULARDEAU]

Michele Obama in what she does best: inspire attention and courage in fields that need a lot and deserve that much. And classical music is the most inspiring subject in the world. Don't forget the music of today is the classical music of tomorrow.

[IrishPotatoSack]

@baysideful Don't need music?! DON'T NEED MUSIC?!?!?!? Pssh, I'm not going to open this discussion with your small, simple mind.

[mabellehardie]

Who dresses this poor woman?

[pianobach13]

@AndrewFinch1 You are a very offensive person and a racist. It's impolite to say nigger, though you may not have known better. Please try to refrain from using that word. I mean no offense to you or any other reader, I just dislike racism. And no, I'm not black.

[suitabledude]

@ChiZ712 they don't this is just good PR.