I could not agree more with Jolyon Patten on his views on Classic FM. I have days when I listen to Classic FM for a while, but then I get bored because all the music they play is of the same kind. Nothing is challenging, nothing is new. Here in Britain BBC Radio 3, but the channel I prefer is the Norwegian NRK Alltid Klassisk which has a wide variety of classical music and tries out early music and contemporary sound installations too. You can listen to NRK Alltid Klassisk on the web from this page (scrawl down to Alltid Klassisk.
Is it a bit arrogant to not like Classic FM? As it is the classic radio station with the most listeners, the music must appeal too many. I do not want to criticize all the music they play. However, like any popular radio station they play the same tunes again and again. So even if they had not only played bad good music, it will be boring in the long run. And I do not find it too arrogant to want variation. Not all classical music is relaxing or smooth. Som of it is very challenging.
But if a classic is something that is famous and easily recognisable and something that appeals to "all" human nature, then perhaps Classic FM is right.
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