Sorry to see that there was no classical music presence at the inauguration today, though I am happy to do without last time’s John Williams piece that quoted (ripped off?) Copland’s treatment of “Simple Gifts”.  The soloists today were not very impressive, with James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson both sounding shaky; Beyoncé was the best of the three. The only performance worthy of the occasion was that of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, though I could have done without some of the more far-fetched “contemporary gospel” harmonic mannerisms of their arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Ella sings for Inaugural Ball dancing here.