WASHINGTON — The 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, announced Wednesday, salutes four architects of music — from the improvisational saxophone of Sonny Rollins and the Broadway warmth of Barbara Cook to the tender cello of Yo-Yo Ma and the pulsing anthems of Neil Diamond.
The center also has selected actress Meryl Streep, who has sung in a few movies but is much better known for her flawless interpretations of characters over the past 30 years.
When the letters from the Ken nedy Center arrive, even artists who have been in the spotlight for decades are a little taken aback.
“I couldn’t believe it, but it actually said I was chosen as one of the Kennedy Center Honorees,” Diamond said. “And it told me to keep my mouth shut.”
Now Diamond, 70, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., can tell his mother, who is in her 90s and attends most of his concerts.
The Honors are given the first weekend of December in ceremonies at the State Department and the White House, with an evening of all-star salutes to the honorees at the Kennedy Center.
“You can look at the people chosen this year, and this is the 34th year, and say arguably they are the best at what they do,” said George Stevens Jr., the co-producer of the show.
CBS will broadcast the full program of salutes to the Honorees in late December.
