Autumn is a great time to explore good music at leisure and in depth. These live-concert series around the region will keep you coming back again and again.

1. Carnegie Hall’s ambitious Ancient Paths, Modern Voices Festival turns its discerning curatorial eye towards China and its music, past and present.

2. Caramoor is probably still best known for its excellent summer concerts, but the music—and the environment—are just as magical when cooler weather prevails.

3. Wordless Music has taken New York City by storm, and for good reason: nowhere else can you hear such an exciting and innovative mix of alt-classical and smart rock, jostling against each other happily.

4. It’s hard to believe that BAM’s Next Wave Festival, once the enfant terrible of New York concert life, is now an august 27 years old. The music is as fresh as ever, though: Meredith Monk, Philip Glass, So Percussion, and the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) are all on hand.

5. Mt. Kisco’s Copland House has become a nerve center for fostering the creations of new American composers as well as nurturing the work of past generations. Programs this fall include music of John Corigliano, Mark O’Connor and the home’s longtime owner, Aaron Copland.