I often find that when programming music for any event, even a radio station, people tend to stick to the pieces that are battle-hardened and already tested on audiences such as Rachmaninov Piano Concertos and Beethoven Symphonies. They are the safe option and will guarantee listeners or people buying tickets as opposed to a piece written by a new composer, or a piece that is less known even if it is by a famous composer. That is why it’s nice to find a radio station that expands their repertoire and attempts an innovative playlist, also giving some interesting tidbits about the pieces you’re listening too.
Of course they do have the well-liked pieces such as the Beethoven Symphony #5, but interspersed with these crowd pleasers are pieces like Benjamin Britten’s Variations on “Sellenger’s Round” of Willliam Byrd. It seems a healthy balance of time periods as well, although they do have special programs such as “Baroque by the Bay” on Sunday mornings which is a nice way to welcome the day, or “Modern Times with Alan Chapman” on Saturdays at 10pm which is a great way to explore composers within the last 100 years.
I applaud their efforts to widen the eyes of music lovers and if you’re interested in listening to them, the link to their website is below. You can also get their app for iPhones for free.
the music corner 