Classical music fans have a wealth of opportunities to hear scores being played these days. Here is an international guide to the radio stations and aggregators that provide fans the best of the best.
U.S.-BASED STATIONS
WQXR
http://www.wqxr.org/streams
New York City’s only classical music radio station. Programming includes live broadcasts from venues including Carnegie Hall, The Frick Collection, and the Metropolitan Opera. WQXR also offers additional specialized stations such as New Sounds, which focuses on new music, and Operavore, which focuses on opera.
Classical WETA
https://weta.org/fm
Washington D.C.'s WETA stream includes live performances from the Barns at Wolf Trap, concerts from the Library of Congress, and performances from the National Symphony Orchestra's archives.
WFMT
http://www.wfmt.com/
Featured on Chicago's WFMT is a mix of classical and fine arts music. Programming includes broadcasts from Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, San Francisco Symphony, Metropolitan Opera, and more.
Classical KUSC
https://www.kusc.org/
LA's KUSC is billed as the largest and most-listened to public radio and non-profit classical music station in the country. Programming includes The Morning Show with Jennifer Miller Hammel, Evening Music with Lara Downes, and Requests with Dianne Nicolini, as well as live Saturday matinee broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera.
All Classical
https://www.allclassical.org/
A 24-hour classical music radio station from Portland, with programs including Five O’Clock Favorite with Christa Wessel, Sunday Brunch with Suzanne Nance, and Saturday Matinee with Warren Black – a vibrant mix of opera, show tunes, great film themes, comic operettas and even American band music.
WCRB
http://classicalwcrb.org/
A Boston-based classical music radio station, with hosts including Laura Carlo, Cathy Fuller, Chris Voss, and Alan McLellan, and featuring Saturday night broadcasts from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Separate streams are also available dedicated to Boston Early Music, the Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerts, and Bach.
Your Classical
https://www.yourclassical.org/listen/radio
From Minnesota comes this collection of curated classical music streams, unique programs, and relevant features to promote calm and focus. Includes SymphonyCast hosted by Julie Amacher, and Performance Today hosted by Fred Child.
EUROPEAN STATIONS
BBC Radio 3
https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3
Based in London, the venerable BBC Radio 3 offers live and recorded classical music and opera, as well as jazz, world music, and discussion of the arts. Highlights include live broadcasts of the BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Singers.
Classic FM
http://www.classicfm.com/
Billed as the UK's only 100 per cent classical music radio station. Programs include Smooth Classics with Margherita Taylor, and Saturday Night at the Movies with Andrew Collins.
Danmarks Radio P2
http://www.dr.dk/radio/p2/
Copenhagen's P2 presents both live and recorded classical music, and discussion of the classical music scene.
NPO Radio 4
https://www.nporadio4.nl/
The Netherlands' radio station focusing on classical music, with live concerts from around the world presented each evening.
AGGREGATORS
Internet-Radio Stations
https://www.internet-radio.com/stations/classical/
This station aggregator offers a collection of 205 internet radio stations broadcasting classical music including the following:
Venice Classic Radio
http://www.veniceclassicradio.eu/
Repertoire ranges from the ancient music of the Renaissance to the 1900s, with particular attention to Italian composers and interpreters.
AncientFM
http://www.ancientfm.com/
Live streaming of secular music from the medieval and renaissance periods.
Arpeggio Radio Comfort
https://www.radio.net/s/arpeggio
This Libson, Portugal-based station offers a relaxing mix of classical music to listen to while working, driving, resting, or visiting with friends.
iTunes Internet Radio
In iTunes, select the "Internet Radio" category and click the triangle beside "Classical" to see a list of over 300 classical music streams, including several listed above.
Streaming Apps and Services
Popular services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Pandora offer users the ability to customize their own "stations" featuring classical music and for a subscription fee, access to millions of tracks to listen to on demand.
Sirius XM
https://www.siriusxm.com/
The satellite radio service offers Symphony Hall (channel 76) and Metropolitan Opera Radio (app only).
