See and hear a performance of Handel's masterpiece by the Handel and Haydn Society, produced at GBH.

A new series of compositions reimagines Vivaldi for the year 2050. Also, Yo-Yo Ma's stunning performance at this week's presidential inauguration, proof that music makes you smarter, and more, all in this week's roundup!

For the first time in the history of Instant Replay, two people chose the same track as their favorite music of the month -- it's that good! Also, heavy metal's classical roots, a Disney/Vivaldi mashup, and more, all ahead.

New Year's resolutions cover just about everything these days … from getting more exercise to reading more books for fun. How about ... "being happy?"

Osvaldo Golijov is a MacArthur "genius" composer who's written for Yo-Yo Ma, Kronos Quartet and soprano Dawn Upshaw. But in 2012, he was accused of plagiarism, and he disappeared from the scene. Only now, nearly a decade later, is Golijov reemerging — with a work that could not have a more timely subject: it's a meditation on grieving and loss.

In 2021, I'm looking forward to, fingers crossed, live music. I really miss the roar of a symphony orchestra in concert or a soaring soprano on the opera stage. But artists are still making albums, even in lockdown, like British composer Max Richter. His upcoming album is a follow-up to last year's Voices. This new one is Voices, Part 2 which will be released in April.

James Newton Howard has composed the music for thrillers, Disney animation, and big fantasy series — more than 100 films — a remarkable feat considering that he didn't start doing it until 1985. His latest is a western starring Tom Hanks called News of the World.

But before he was an A-list film composer, Howard was a rock and roller. He played in bands in Los Angeles, near where he grew up the son of a milkman, and where everyone called him "Jimmy."

The string quintet brings its characteristically all-embracing musical voice to the first concert of a new series launched by violinist Lara St. John and streamed by CRB on demand.