Classical streaming audio: Your recommendations

[WC8KCY]

Hey, everyone:

If any of you listen to classical music via streaming audio, I'd be interested in learning about your favorite streams.

I listen to Interlochen Public Radio (IPR) over the air, but as of late, they've really gone down the obscure-composer rabbit hole during off-network dayparts. I'm tired of it.

I'd prefer to hear today's outstanding performances and recordings of more familiar, more accessible works.

Thanks!

[jtuba]

Based on my East Coast the time zone

Every night on WXXI a rotation of orchestras

Sunday morning NPO4 European orchestras

Sunday afternoon WRTI Philadelphia

Sunday night WFMT Chicago

Sunday night WBAA Indianapolis

Monday night WRR Dallas/Fort Worth/Dallas Winds

Tuesday late night KDFC San Francisco

Wed night WQED Pittsburgh

Friday night MPR Minnesota

Saturday WCRB Boston, WCLV Cleveland, St Louis PR St Louis

Other syndicated programs
New York Phil This Week
Symphonycast

BBC3 plays a bunch of live concert recordings

I've built a nice collection of broadcast recordings

[WC8KCY]

Thanks, jtuba! Your suggestion of BBC3 is right on point. I'm taking a break with BBC3 right now and, after reviewing its programme schedule, I think it'll be a nice compliment to IPR. The audio quality of the BBC3 stream is superb.

[bort2.0]

Minnesota Public Radio broadcasts live Minnesota Orchestra concerts on Friday nights.

WBJC in Baltimore is good, because they seem to always play full pieces, and not single movements of a piece. I've listened to that as long as I can remember (since I was 7 or 8 years old)... But it hasn't been the same since Reed Hessler finally retires a few years ago.

[hrender]

I've been a big fan of WFMT's programming since my days in grad school in Illinois in the 80s. I haven't listened as much of late, but taking a look at the current schedule, they still seem to be quite worth the time to listen. KDFC is also good. Our local station is pretty good, although some of the programs are, to me, more interesting than others.

If you're looking for an actual streaming service vs. radio on the web, I don't know. I've tried a few streaming services (Amazon, Apple, Google Play), but the offerings are kind of all over the place. This article gives a decent view of some of the alternatives.

[Mark E. Chachich]

WBJC in Baltimore is good, because they seem to always play full pieces, and not single movements of a piece. I've listened to that as long as I can remember (since I was 7 or 8 years old)... But it hasn't been the same since Reed Hessler finally retires a few years ago.

I like WBJC a lot and listen to the station almost every day. The station often puts some information about the piece that they are about to play or the composer. This station broadcasts and streams on the internet.

The new host (Abhinn Malhotra) is a euphonium player who selects excellent music and puts wind ensemble music in the mix. I also like the other hosts.

best,
Mark

[bort2.0]

WBJC in Baltimore is good, because they seem to always play full pieces, and not single movements of a piece. I've listened to that as long as I can remember (since I was 7 or 8 years old)... But it hasn't been the same since Reed Hessler finally retires a few years ago.

I like WBJC a lot and listen to the station almost every day. The station often puts some information about the piece that they are about to play or the composer. This station broadcasts and streams on the internet.

The new host (Abhinn Malhotra) is a euphonium player who selects excellent music and puts wind ensemble music in the mix. I also like the other hosts.

best,
Mark

I'll have to listen more often, then! Didn't mean to imply that it wasn't still good, just that when a host of 40 years finally retires, it takes a bit to get used to the change.

If anyone is curious, the "BJC" part of WBJC stands for "Baltimore Junior College", because it operates out of Baltimore City Community College (formerly known as Baltimore Junior College).

[jtm]

Another radio station that streams is KMFA in Austin, TX. The web site lists the program schedule, so you can see what you'll get ahead of time. This is Austin's non-commercial classical music station, and not the local Public Radio station.

[Oedipoes]

Belgian national classical radio non-stop online player can be found here, it's pretty good:
Just push the big white play button that shows up after a few seconds (next to the violin players' picture).

https://radioplus.be/#/klara-continuo/playlist

[WC8KCY]

Am streaming WBJC now while working in my home office. I've really enjoyed the playlist thus far, and the announcer has done a nice job presenting the music...thanks Mark and bort!

I should've mentioned in my original post that the other NPR music station available here over the air, operated by Central Michigan University, has flipped from classical/jazz to NPR News Talk, quite probably due to the ratings (and sponsorship) success enjoyed by Interlochen's NPR News Talk outlets. Even with non-comm stations, it's all about the money...

They did create an HD2 subchannel for classical music on four of their seven stations, but few people have HD receivers. My car, despite being a 2018 model, isn't equipped with one.

This is, well, rather concerning. Vast areas of northern and upper Michigan outside of IPR's coverage area, along with Ontario's Algoma district, now have zero options for classical and jazz music on their FM dial.

[matt g]

How does Spotify stack up when building a list?

[jtuba]

How does Spotify stack up when building a list?

It’s fine to get started, but albums tracks play in shuffle order until you pay. Other services offer a lossless stream, Spotify tops out at 320mbs mp3 files even in the paid tiers

[matt g]

How does Spotify stack up when building a list?

It’s fine to get started, but albums tracks play in shuffle order until you pay. Other services offer a lossless stream, Spotify tops out at 320mbs mp3 files even in the paid tiers

Thanks for the details. Admittedly, most of my time spent streaming music is spent in the car, so the compression loss isn't as noticeable. I do have premium so that I can build and manage my own lists, but they are "pop" music.

[BuddyRogersMusic]

King FM 98.1 in Seattle has an app, and at one time, had several streams from within that satisfied just about every genre's tastes. Seems they have three now, including their live radio stream.

[Mary Ann]

Minnesota Public Radio broadcasts live Minnesota Orchestra concerts on Friday nights.

WBJC in Baltimore is good, because they seem to always play full pieces, and not single movements of a piece. I've listened to that as long as I can remember (since I was 7 or 8 years old)... But it hasn't been the same since Reed Hessler finally retires a few years ago.

There has been some conversation here in town that the vast majority of radio stations no longer will play entire pieces, because of the lack of ability, apparently, of audiences to listen except in sound bites. Our station still will play an entire symphony or whatever, and we consider that to be a huge plus. We hope that does not change. Our station is currently offline due to damage from a wind storm, and they have to find a way to fix it at 9000 feet in heavy snow.