@Rosanna: The Dvorak Te Deum, a great masterpiece, would be an irony. Dvorak was to be honored in 1893 by the American government and was commissioned to write a new work for the occasion, to be performed before the President and a jont session of Congress. In Europe, the usual protocol for an affair of state was a Te Deum, and that's what he wrote. When he proudly presented it, it was refused for reasons of "separation of church and state."
Dvorak was furious, and dashed off a piece of crap called "The American Flag" in two weeks time, a cantata that is now completely ignored by the musical community. That is what was played at the ceremony.

Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever"-- definitely. RE Dvorak, already mentioned here: In addition to the Symphony "From the New World", he also composed a Te Deum that includes Native American drums in the instrumentation.

The whole of idea of outdoor music in January gets a bit unreasonable to the extent that musicians are faking their playing to preserve their instruments. If sense prevailed, we would have the ceremony in the comfort of the House Chamber and reduce expenses and hypothermia.

We have few public ceremonies in this country and American music seems most appropriate for the event. Unfortunately, American music came of age after the golden age of classical music and the pickings are slimmer here than in Europe.

Holst "The planets" - Saturn.

The choral version of Charles Ives' "He Is There" -- military preparedness by a One-World-Nationer. The first two movements of Ives' First String Quartet would go over well, too (especially as contrast). Or, if a full symphony orchestra is available, the 3rd movement of the 4th Symphony (effectively an orchestration of the First Quartet's opening movement).

Bloggers engaged in partisan squabbling here: please grow up. The whole world will be watching this event.

Fanfare for the Common Man has come to be expected. It is brief and powerful and if omitted would be missed. There should be at least one John Philip Sousa selection. There should be at least one contemporary American piece written specially for the occasion.

Randall Thompson Testament of Freedom

Such hate! A few sarcastic comments about a death march and a funeral dirge and the thinned skinned start to boil over. Take a chill pill folks! It's too funny!

Sibelius violin concerto third movement. Why not?

Chet, you're a perfect symbol of the Republican right - so lacking any cultural sophistication or awareness that you think there's a "Wagner death march."

OHHHH, pooh pooh frank, spot on about your 1st observation, but so wrong about your 2nd. have a nice life....

Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods): Siegfried's Death And Funeral March

Chet, you're a perfect symbol of the Republican right - so lacking any cultural sophistication or awareness that you think there's a "Wagner death march."

I'd vote for some Copland but maybe the first movement of his 3rd Symphony. Or how about some Roy Harris, or Howard Hanson? A lot of those mid-20th-century American composers are shamefully neglected (including by WQXR).

wagners "death march"

I support Fanfare for the Common Man by Copland and music by Elliot Carter whose great longevity should be celebrated by our president. The Shaker melody - Simple Gifts - is also a lovely American song that expresses our ideals.

How about " The Death of a Nation ", By the founding fathers

Why not commission a young composer from one of our wonderful music schools for a piece?

I love how the (dwindling) group of right-wing loonies are finding their way to a NYC classical radio station website. The last gasps of a dying breed.

I'd personally go for something current - by a composer like Aaron Jay Kernis, John Adams or Michael Torke (has written some great ceremonial music). It's consistent with Obama's message of looking forward and renewal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYB3yyu0UrQ&feature=related
Chopin's Funeral March

How about Randall Thompson's short choral piece, "the Last Words of David" [text:
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds;
as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Alleluia. Amen.]

Short and (as I remember from the last time I sang it) very effective.

since it's short, the Copland "Fanfare for the Common Man" could easily fit in as well.

No pop stuff: we should keep the standards high for a momentous occasion.

Walter - I have the piece for you. Funeral march of the Eroica Symphony. Funeral dirge is particularly appropriate since the nation is drowing in debt (not a political comment; a statement of fact) and losing the international competitiveness on which we pride ourselves.

15 minutes of the most somber depressing music ever written should go over well.

Fanfare for the Common Man

"Zadok the Priest" has been played at every British coronation for the past 300 years. Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" was played during the festivities at Bill Clinton's inauguration and at Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. I'd like to see a tradition of playing it at every presidential inauguration.

some kind of funeral dirge.

"The best is yet to come and baby that's fine . . ."
Frank Sinatra of course.
John

The Fanfare for the Common Man

Al Green himself! Singing a gospel tune and of course, "Let's Stay Together

I believe the only "live" music played at the inauguration is provided by the U.S. Marine Band while most everything else is pre-recorded and "faked" as it were. Music of John Philip Sousa should be played to keep things moving along and in keeping with the President's campaign theme of "forward" as in march!

Arrangements from either Gershwin's songs or Bernstein's ballets/shows. Maybe a rendition of Summertime, or something else from Porgy & Bess, On the Town, or Fancy Free. Nice short movements, tuneful, fun.

Dvorak's New World Symphony

I feel that it should be something by an American Composer/performer(s). That being said, I feel it needs to something that can be performed outdoors in possibly very cold weather. Any one of the Military Bands could do a great job. Ed

Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," Joan Baez's "Joe Hill," Rogers and Hammerstein's "Oh What a Beautiful Morning," the Beatles' "Here, There, and Everywhere," Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson's "Heartland," and Aretha Franklin's "Respect."

"Simple GIfts," as sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, suits President Obama to a "T" beautifully endorsing the President's message of love: How about: http://youtu.be/u-KCt9oZzBY

They should definitely ask Lawrence Brownlee to sing. Besides the obvious reasons he is an American musical phenomenon, and was a big Obama supporter.

Fanfare for the Common Man by Copland

It doesn't matter; the music that the TV audience hears will have been previously recorded.