B'Rock devotes a two-day festival at Flagey to this question, under the title Tabula Rasa. Together with such musical guests as BL!NDMAN and Uri Caine, the B'Rock musicians explore the fascinating border region between early and contemporary music and historical and current performing practices.

B'Rock and a cast of superb singers, conducted by René Jacobs, tell this story of fidelity and seduction, doubt and catharsis.

Vivaldi brings his unique range of seductive techniques into play: compelling ritornelli, sparkling melodies and a matchless rhythmic verve. Three centuries later, this motoric rhythm still reverberates in the Triple Quartet by minimalist Steve Reich.

B'Rock responds with music for strings by Antonio Vivaldi, Steve Reich and György Ligeti – three composers with at least as much grit as the first speaker in this new series.

When you hear the jubilant words 'Jauchzet, frohlocket!', you know it's time for your annual encounter with the finest Christmas music of all time. Bach's Christmas Oratorio is the most brilliant example of musical recycling.

In this richly variegated Christmas programme, B'Rock follows the star of the baroque through Europe.

Fans of French baroque music are familiar with Jean Gilles as an exponent of the religious repertoire of the golden age of the Sun King. Gilles' masterly requiem for chorus, orchestra and vocal soloists exudes transparency, coherence and – paradoxically enough – life.

Wim Henderickx (BE), Matt Wright (UK) and Reza Namavar (NL) each in their own way explore the potential of historical instruments in a world of contemporary sound. What they all share is a penchant for experiment and improvisation.

Haydn here created a glorious universe that buzzes with classical lyricism and Handelian drama – an ode to the Creator, nature and man, entirely in the spirit of the Enlightenment.

The actual occasion for writing this serenata – a genre that wavers between cantata and opera – is shrouded in mystery. Although it was probably first performed in Italy, it is unmistakably an ode to the French king Louis XV.

B'Rock pays tribute to two indispensable instruments of the baroque orchestra: the trumpet and the organ. Telemann's Trumpet Concerto No. 1 is a real challenge for the player of the natural trumpet, who has to play with a warm tone and formidable virtuosity.