Together with Itzhak Perlman ( violin ) , Yo-Yo Ma ( cello ) , and Gabriela Montero ( piano ) , he recorded and performed `` Air and Simple Gifts '' by John Williams , for Barack Obama 's inauguration ceremony on 20 January 2009 . Along with Itzhak Perlman ( violin ) , Yo-Yo Ma ( cello ) , and Gabriela Montero ( piano ) , he recorded and performed `` Air and Simple Gifts , '' composed by John Williams , for the inauguration of United States President Barack Obama on January 20 , 2009 .