Anthony McGill in New York

Anthony McGill is an American classical clarinetist born in Chicago, known for orchestral, solo and chamber work. He was appointed principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic after holding the same position in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and he recorded the Brahms and Mozart clarinet quintets with the Pacifica Quartet. At Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration at the United States Capitol, he performed John Williams’s “Air and Simple Gifts” with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and Gabriela Montero. His 2014 appointment to the New York Philharmonic made him the first African American principal player in the orchestra’s history. His chamber appearances have included Marlboro Music Festival and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.