Classical radio stations

[GoneBaroque]

In our area (Western Massachusetts) we have a station (WFCR) operated by four colleges in the area. It is a public radio station, which means it is supported by area businesses and the listeners through periodic fund drives. They do an excellent job of playing classical music during the day and offering a great variety. During the evenings they pllay jazz and after midnight classical again. On Saturday afternoons the present an opera production from the MET (live) during the season. At other times of the year there are taped performances feom other houses (Chicago, etc). As far as organ music is concerned, the last I recall hearing was Cameron Carpenter.

Rob

 

[JHC]

Do they also go via the www?? Our local Concert FM was very good but has bowed to political pressure in that they have now included Rock, pop, jazz etc etc I just do not listen to it any more.

 

[Dorsetmike]

Problem for me Colin is a large mortgage which takes most of my pension, for the hour or so in the day when I listen to radio away from an internet source I just don't see how I can justify the expense.

 

[JHC]

Problem for me Colin is a large mortgage which takes most of my pension, for the hour or so in the day when I listen to radio away from an internet source I just don't see how I can justify the expense.

Fair enough McDuff, it is a bit pricey in NZ it cost me NZ$170-180 to go wireless and the Tangent from memory cost NZ$600

 

[Soubasse]

For all of my complaints about this country and it's somewhat selective treatment of working professional musicians, I will say that our ABC Classic FM does present a broad cross-section of the repertoire and does not solely rely on playing the "hits" (I would also admit to being somewhat surprised by the "middle-of-the-road" nature of one of the Classic FM stations that I listened to in the UK).

I'm also pleased with the fact that Classic FM here is not scared of giving air time to contemporary music, there have been some excellent broadcasts of avant-garde and experimental ensembles with some real ear-opening stuff (again stretching some folks definition of what constitutes "classic" or "classical")

 

[GoneBaroque]

Do they also go via the www?? Our local Concert FM was very good but has bowed to political pressure in that they have now included Rock, pop, jazz etc etc I just do not listen to it any more.

Yes, they have an audio stream. their url is http://www.wfcr.org

Rob

 

[Mat]

...I will say that our ABC Classic FM does present a broad cross-section of the repertoire and does not solely rely on playing the "hits"...

Unfortunately, Matt's comment reminded me of our local classical radio station. Apart from 2nd programme of National Polish Radio, which airs classical music of all kinds, both recordings and live concerts, which is admirable, we also have this other commercial station - RMF Classic. Now, this one airs "hits" exclusively. They focus on classical and film music, but it seems as though they have only three CDs and air them over and over. And so, almost everyday, you can hear Bolero, Ode to Joy, Raindrop Prelude, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.

 

[JHC]

To all posters: are your classical music stations commercial?? ours has not gone down this path yet but is not far off

 

[JHC]

Yes, they have an audio stream. their url is http://www.wfcr.org

Rob

I got onto the stream thanks.

 

[GoneBaroque]

I got onto the stream thanks.

Glad I could help. Enjoy.

Rob

 

[mmsbls]

My station, CapRadio 88.9 out of Sacramento, is quite good. The station is public (supported by listeners, grants, and some businesses but without commercials). They play classical 24 hours/day with a few special programs on the weekend. They play obscure composers along with rare works by well known composers. My one complaint is that they rarely play modern music (other than Bartok, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, etc.). I'm quite happy with their format and selections.

 

[White Knight]

Since my new-found love of and appreciation for classical music, I have listening quite a lot recently to WQXR in New York {105.9}. They don't seem to be quite as stodgy as I remember them being back in the days when I was younger and they were sited lower on the FM dial. I don't know if that's the reason, or maybe it's a function of me being a lot older now!