In this year of America 250 observations, naturally I would be inclined to look back to the 18th century. While a frigid New Year’s Day at the Philadelphia Mummers Parade is the big New Year’s tradition around here (it’s a regional thing; if you don’t know it, look it up), I’ll welcome 2026 in a more civilized manner: in my periwig, seated at the harpsichord, pecking out these “Auld Lang Syne Variations.”

It’s a new discovery for me, by a composer named… Ross!

Happy New Year, everyone!