BajaNomad - If You Like Classical Music

If You Like Classical Music

Gypsy Jan - 10-10-2011 at 06:06 PM

There is a Baja radio station in TJ broadcasting (104.9) and you can listen to the live broadcast on the internet.

http://www.xlnc1.org/listen.php

EmeraldDawn - 10-10-2011 at 06:21 PM

I listen to this station regularly. I have to say it has gone a bit downhill over the last year, playing more and more orchestrated popular music and single movements. It is still worth tuning in though - there is some good music played.

Just Curious

Gypsy Jan - 10-10-2011 at 08:00 PM

Why do you think the station has gone "downhill"?

EmeraldDawn - 10-10-2011 at 11:00 PM

Well, I guess it's a matter of personal taste, but I feel that it used to be a better classical station and has rather "dumbed down" its content - to a certain extent, it is still a fine station and I still listen to it a lot - with orchestral versions of pop music and slogans like "Hits forever".

I do understand the station's mission to bring classical music to a wider audience and I do understand that it has to maintain itself. So really I am not trying to attack its development. Just from a purely personal point of view I would have been happier if it had stayed more traditionally "classical".

All this is not to say that I think the classical repertoire is something set in concrete that can never be added to, or that the fact that something is "popular" makes it less valuable. I actually applaud the station for airing some of the fine music from the Final Fantasy games which really is the classical music of our time. On the other hand the Superman theme music or Queen's "We Are the Champions" (both of which seem to have been played dozens of times in the last year) really fall into the category of "easy listening" - at least in my view and it is not what I tune in for.

But I don't want to seem hostile or over-critical. I do enjoy this station and recommend it. Any criticisms are intended to be of a constructive nature.

Kalypso - 10-11-2011 at 11:21 AM

I actually have to agree with EmeraldDawn. I've been listening to XLNC1 since I got back in San Diego in 2001. Their play list has begun to lean more towards popular selections. They still play a good amount of straight classical music, mostly from the great masters but they do throw some lesser know pieces and composers in the mix.

If you don't know the story of XLNC1 it's pretty cool. There is a link to it on their web site relating it. The "station" started as one man channeling classical music from a laptop. From there it grew into a low frequency station and eventually (2007 or 08?) they were able to install a larger transmitter on Mt. Miguel in SD. They have been a publicly supported radio station the entire time. The original family funds a portion of the operating expenses and they did pledge drives to make up the rest. I am not currently a member, but I've supported them with pretty generous donations in the past. They haven't had a pledge drive in over a year, which just about coincides with the increase in popular music.

I think they added the popular and movie instrumentals as a way to broaden their appeal. I appreciate that they make an effort of feature Mexcian and Latin American composers and artists and really, really enjoy the amount of Spanish guitar they play.

My new car came with a 6-month subscription to SiriusXM radio and I've been listening to the 2 classical stations on Sirius. The subscription expired last week and I'm back to XLNC1 and have to say it's very similar to one of the Sirius classical stations. The other Sirius station is devoted to complete classical works. I haven't made a decision yet as to whether Sirius is worth the $12.95/month they want, but I've got the classic genre covered with XLNC1. The other Sirius stations I was listening to is another story. Not much locally in SD to replace those :no:

So basically, I'm another big thumb way up for XLNC1 in spite of movie themes and popular music creeping in to their play list.

[Edited on 10-11-2011 by Kalypso]

Dave - 10-11-2011 at 12:46 PM

With the exception of Sirius and a handful of internet streamers, NO classical radio station plays exclusively classical or complete selections. It really makes no difference as virtually all classical listeners are audiophiles and already have extensive collections that rival the stations themselves.

EmeraldDawn - 10-11-2011 at 01:20 PM

I am a classical listener but not an audiophile and I scarcely have a collection at all. But then I never seem to fit into any category. Some people say that boastfully (in which case it is rarely true). Actually it is mostly a pain. Not especially in this case, but generally I never seem to "plug in" to any particular taste or way of doing things or find folks that think similarly. So I find myself almost always rather lost and outside any group or taste-stratum. Does anyone else have this kind of problem?

Anyway - enough of that. This streaming station is very good, I find:

http://www.classicalarchives.com/radio/

I listen to this via my iPod Touch quite a lot.

SFandH - 10-11-2011 at 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EmeraldDawn
This streaming station is very good, I find:

http://www.classicalarchives.com/radio/

Thanks for the link!

Kalypso - 10-11-2011 at 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
With the exception of Sirius and a handful of internet streamers, NO classical radio station plays exclusively classical or complete selections. It really makes no difference as virtually all classical listeners are audiophiles and already have extensive collections that rival the stations themselves.

Hmmm....I'm not an audiophile either. My collection is no threat to any classical stations, it's pretty puny. In fact I probably have a larger collection of Latin Jazz and Mariachi music than I do classical

Dave - 10-11-2011 at 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kalypso
Hmmm....I'm not an audiophile either. My collection is no threat to any classical stations, it's pretty puny. In fact I probably have a larger collection of Latin Jazz and Mariachi music than I do classical

Sorry...I should have said serious listeners.

Pompano - 10-11-2011 at 08:06 PM

Soo...Do these stations ever play Ravel's Bolero much?

Darn machine ate my old tape.

Yes, Pompano

Gypsy Jan - 10-11-2011 at 08:18 PM

They play Ravel's Bolero.

EmeraldDawn - 10-11-2011 at 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Sorry...I should have said serious listeners.

Well, that does make a difference. I wonder if the majority of listeners to classical stations are actually serious. Serious meaning - audiophiles with large collections, I suppose, which makes the statement something of a tautology.

[Edited on 10-12-2011 by EmeraldDawn]

redhilltown - 10-11-2011 at 10:59 PM

If you like Bolero, check THIS out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wg47cf11yc&feature=relat...

Just about the time the Hayes code but it oozes sensuality. Amazing for its time... not to mention George Raft dancing.

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Soo...Do these stations ever play Ravel's Bolero much?

Darn machine ate my old tape.

Kalypso - 10-11-2011 at 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EmeraldDawn

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Sorry...I should have said serious listeners.

I do consider myself a serious listener and have supported XLNC1 financially for a number of years. I also regularly attend the SD Symphony and usually purchase a season subscription. I let it lapse this year as their program choices just didn't turn my crank. I'll buy individaul tickets for the programs I do like and want to attend. I'm just not big on collecting CDs

EmeraldDawn - 10-12-2011 at 09:29 AM

I have a friend who played cello for years in a symphony orchestra and now teaches. She studied under Rostropovich. But she is by no means an audiophile and barely knows a tweeter from a woofer. Would she not count as "serious".

Kalypso - 10-12-2011 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EmeraldDawn
I have a friend who played cello for years in a symphony orchestra and now teaches. She studied under Rostropovich. But she is by no means an audiophile and barely knows a tweeter from a woofer. Would she not count as "serious".

She would in my book :tumble:

As a listener?

Dave - 10-12-2011 at 01:45 PM

Quote:

Probably not.

Surprisingly, most professional musicians spend little time in listening. Almost all their free time is devoted to practicing and making music.

EmeraldDawn - 10-12-2011 at 01:54 PM

And attending performances of their pupils!

Interestingly, this friend, when I told her I listen to music when relaxing said that she prefers something like the sound of the sea, as any organized music immediately activates her mind to assessing it.

Cypress - 10-12-2011 at 02:00 PM

Assessing? I like that word! :biggrin:

EmeraldDawn - 10-12-2011 at 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Assessing? I like that word! :biggrin:

The word was my friend's. I liked it too.

DENNIS - 10-12-2011 at 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Assessing? I like that word! :biggrin:

Common word, and technique, at Anthony's. :biggrin:

EmeraldDawn - 10-12-2011 at 03:42 PM

Probably "criticizing" - which ought to be a neutral term - has gained too many negative connotations, so "assessing" is a more accurate way to express it when there is no negative intent.