This time of year — past the "new beginnings" of September, but not quite at the "warm fuzzies" of the Holidays — offers up an abundance of contrast. And, just as warm days sneak in among the cold ones, and bright greens and reds poke out from the ever-increasing piles of leaves turned brown, this month's Instant Replay offers up music both for reflection and tunes meant for more energetic listening.

Classical music is often inspired by romance, fairy tales, or royalty, but sometimes the inspiration comes from real world causes.

Hilary Hahn is back on stage, with a new recording and an exhilarating sense of re-connection.

Could It Be Magic? Pop songs based on classical music!

The Pulitzer Prize-winning composer performs his own music as well as that of Florence Price and Franz Schubert, with violinist Wendy Putnam, in a Concord…

See and hear a performance of Handel's masterpiece by the Handel and Haydn Society, produced at GBH.Boston's Handel and Haydn Society hasn't missed a…