Modern Classical Music on the Radio?

[Frisco]

Any recommendations for places to hear modern classical music on the radio? I sometimes hear the occasional pieces on "Afternoon New Music" om WKCR but can't think of anything else. I used to co-host a program called "Delusions and Furies" (a take on Partch's Delusion of the Fury) on WHFR-FM. Now I incorporate some pieces at the tail end of my other program "Spirits Rejoice", mainly an avant-garde jazz program. What programs are out there playing exclusively the music of Xenakis, Stockhausen, Partch, etc....? I'd love to hear some.

[T.D.]

Not sure about those specific composers, but there's a lot of contemporary music available via Internet. Unfortunately I can't give specifics, not having broadband. There are definitely good programs from BBC (Radio 3?) and Radio France, among others. Less certain about Stateside; if your tastes happen to align with Kyle Gann's, for instance, he puts out a "Postclassic Radio".

[Rooster_Ties]

Don't have any suggestions, but am reminded of a story.

I was on a business trip years maybe 10 years ago, with just me and a high-price, snotty, not-very-helpful, young (mid-20's), female consultant -- who I never did find much to like about in any way.

During an hour drive back from a LONG day of training, and then dinner together (so it was at least mid-evening by this time), on the way home I let the 'scan' button on the rental-car radio do it's thing...

...and on comes this AMAZING piece of knock-out 20th century symphonic music. I *had* to know what it was -- and kept hoping the host would back announce it. Turned out to be a latter Roger Sessions symphony (Sessions was a fantastic mid-century serialist, IMO), and for at least a good 15 minutes I subjected this poor consultant to this music that I'm sure she found horridly annoying. (Prior trips the car that week revealed she listened to nothing but top-40 bubblegum music -- and this was circa 1999, 2000 -- so we're talkin' the crappiest of the crappy.)

Of course "the customer is always right", and she put up with it like a trooper. But for 15 minutes I was as delighted as could be to have annoyed her with that music, as she had annoyed me nearly every minute we worked together for about 2 months.

Edited January 16, 2009 by Rooster_Ties

[Teasing the Korean]

David Garland's classical show on WNYC -if he still does it - focussed on non-traditional types of stuff.

Unfortunately, marketing firms have been retained by many FM so-called "classical" stations. They tell them that classical music should be "relaxing."

[7/4]

Any recommendations for places to hear modern classical music on the radio? I sometimes hear the occasional pieces on "Afternoon New Music" om WKCR but can't think of anything else.

On weekday mornings, WKCR also has classical programming. I tune in when I can to see if there's anything interesting. Too bad all their classical programming is during the weekday - normal working hours.

[Teasing the Korean]

I'm assuming you mean "current/contemporary" and not "modern" in the strict sense.

[7/4]

I'm assuming you mean "current/contemporary" and not "modern" in the strict sense.

Frisco is quite specific:

What programs are out there playing exclusively the music of Xenakis, Stockhausen, Partch, etc....? I'd love to hear some.

I don't think Frisco is describing easy listening.

[Teasing the Korean]

I was simply making the distinction between uses of the word "modern."

[A Lark Ascending]

I'm never sure if the BBC Replayer is accessible outside the UK but if it is then this Saturday night programme might do the business:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/hearandnow/

BBC programmes are available for 7 days after broadcast.

[7/4]

I was simply making the distinction between uses of the word "modern."

[Guest Bill Barton]

You might want to check out "Flotation Device" on KBCS, Sunday nights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight Pacific Time. KBCS also now has on-demand MP3 archives of shows linked from the home page. "Flotation Device" is hosted alternately by Jonathan Lawson and Christopher DeLaurenti.

Edited January 18, 2009 by Bill Barton

[Frisco]

Thanks for the suggestions. Bill, the show on your station looks great. I could never listen live but will try to pull up the archived show.

[Teasing the Korean]

I was simply making the distinction between uses of the word "modern."

Seriously, you don't know what I mean? The word "modern" is frequently misused.

[Frisco]

That's cool. I get it. And I may misuse terms. I mean they're always subject to interpretation. Do I mean to say modern, contemporary, avant-garde? That's why I thought I'd specify a few of the more well known composers. No big deal.

[7/4]

You might ask here: ihatemusic.

WARNING: they can be humorless and irritable.

dB

[Teasing the Korean]

That's cool. I get it. And I may misuse terms. I mean they're always subject to interpretation. Do I mean to say modern, contemporary, avant-garde? That's why I thought I'd specify a few of the more well known composers. No big deal.

I wasn't being critical.

[7/4]

Non-profit university/school (whatever you want to call 'em) stations would be the best place to look.

WPRB has an avant classical program on Wed. mornings. I haven't heard it in a while.

dB

Edited January 19, 2009 by 7/4