Wishing you all a happy, healthy 2024! Since it’s January, there’s no better time to look back at some fabulous year-end events, and look ahead at what’s to come…

Barack Obama Shares His Favorite Songs of 2023
Including (Purchase Alum) Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine”
See the full list of Obama’s favorite songs
Watch the official video of Mitski’s “My Love Mine All Mine” on YouTube

The Kennedy Center presents
The 46th Kennedy Center Honors – Medallion Ceremony
On-demand (recorded live December 2, 2023)

The 2023 Honorees receive their medallions during a special tribute ceremony held at the State Department on December 2, 2023. The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. The 46th Honorees for lifetime artistic achievements were actor and comedian Billy Crystal; acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming; British singer-songwriter-producer, and member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb; rapper, singer, and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick.
Watch the Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Ceremony on YouTube

The Kennedy Center Presents
The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors
On-demand (recorded live December 27, 2023)

In a star-studded celebration at the Kennedy Center Opera House, the 2023 Honorees including Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick are saluted by today’s leading performers from New York, Hollywood, and the arts capitals of the world. Former Kennedy Center Honoree (2017) Gloria Estefan returns as host, marking her third time hosting the special.
Watch the Kennedy Center Honors on CBS.com

PBS Great Performances presents
From Vienna:  The New Year’s Celebration 2024
On-demand 

Celebrate the New Year with waltzes by Strauss and more performed by the famed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra led by guest conductor Christian Thielemann. PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville returns to host.
Watch the New Year’s Celebration from Vienna on PBS.org

Coming to the Purchase PAC on January 27!
CMS of Lincoln Center: Extraordinary Imaginations
Saturday, January 27, 5pm

Program:
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Four African Dances for Violin and Piano, Op. 58 (1904)
HAHN Quintet in F-sharp minor for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello (1922)
YSAŸE Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 27, No. 3, “Ballade”
BLOCH Quintet No. 1 for Piano, Two Violins, Viola, and Cello (1921-23)

Here’s a sneak peek at the Bloch!
Front Row Mainstage: Compelling Quintets

In this CMS Front Row concert, experience Schumann’s groundbreaking Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44 and Bloch’s thrilling Piano Quintet No. 1. Plus an intermission Q&A between CMS Co-Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, and violinist Chad Hoopes and cellist Nicholas Canellakis.
Watch “Front Row Mainstage: Compelling Quintets” on YouTube

The Ysaÿe solo sonata has been recorded by many artists.
Here’s a sampling, all available on YouTube. Do you have a favorite?
Chloe Chua
James Ehnes
Hilary Hahn
Maxim Vengerov

And just for fun, here’s a Vengerov version with a score, so you can play along!

Culture Picks celebrates the performing arts. In each post, PAC staff member Coni Guhl shines the spotlight on work by artists that you know and love from their appearances at The Purchase PAC, and offers recommendations about other performing arts events that you really should not miss. Experience them all!

All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.

Pictured: Mitski / video still from My Love Mine all Mine, directed by A.G. Rojas (c) Mitski