Classic FM (UK)
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- For other uses see Classic FM (disambiguation).
Classic FM is the United Kingdom's first national commercial radio station, broadcasting classical music in a popular and accessible style.
It broadcasts nationally on FM and digital radio and is available internationally by streaming audio over the Internet.
Classic FM's definition of what constitutes classical music is somewhat idiosyncratic: the station plays several modern film scores, but not the Savoy operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, for example.
Its presenters include Nick Bailey, Simon Bates, John Brunning, soprano Lesley Garrett, baritone Aled Jones, and David Mellor. Past presenters include Stephen Fry, Mike Read, Paul Gambaccini and Henry Kelly.
Classic FM is known for its annual Hall of Fame, comprising the 300 most popular pieces, voted for by the listeners. The Number 1 spot in the last few years has been occupied consistently by Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto.
Classic FM named a composer in residence in 2004, Joby Talbot. Talbot created a brand new piece of classical music, scored for up to five instruments, each month for the year of his residence. The compositions were also premiered and playlisted on Classic FM. The twelve compositions form part of a larger piece, released on a CD entitled Once Round the Sun on May 23, 2005.
Other media
Classic FM also runs a digital TV channel playing classical music videos, Classic FM TV.
Classic FM publishes a monthly magazine, Classic FM Magazine, which presents news and reviews.
Ownership
The station is owned by GCap Media.
External links
- Classic FM website (http://www.classicfm.com/)
- Classic FM Magazine website (http://www.classicfm.com/index.cfm?nodeId=355)