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What’s better than a quiet afternoon reading with a nice cup of tea? Not much, but you can try adding some free classical music playing in the background. Well, obviously not all of you will agree. But if it sounded good to you, read on.
Classical music is loved by many and misunderstood by many more. On the Internet however, it doesn’t matter if you’re well versed in classical music history or could instantly recognise a Handel piece when you heard it or not. There’s plenty of experts out there programming the best works for their audiences. All you have to do is take a listen and see what you like.
Tactics First
Where will you find classical music to listen to online?
Classical Music Internet Radio Stations
The easiest way to listen to classical music online is to find a digital classical music radio station. This takes no time at all and you may realise that you’ve found yourself with so many great options that you never even consider the alternatives.
Since the radio stations change URL every now and then, plus there’s a plethora to choose from, I’ll point you in the direction of some great collections of digital classical music radio stations. These could easily become your go-to sites to listen to classical music.
Download Free Classical Music MP3s
There are a number of fantastic ways to get free classical MP3s online The 3 Best Free Classical Music Download Sites The 3 Best Free Classical Music Download Sites Read More , which we’ve already covered in detail on MakeUseOf.
Explore Social Networking Music Sites
There are many social networking music exploration sites The 14+ Hottest Music Streaming & Discovery Sites The 14+ Hottest Music Streaming & Discovery Sites Read More . Not all of them feature classical music, but the larger ones certainly do.
1. Shoutcast Internet Radio Directory
Shoutcast has one of the most comprehensive directories of Internet radio stations. It also keeps track of listener counts and can therefore list the stations in order of popularity for you, so top UK and US stations are nice and easy to find. Not only can you browse the classical genre, but you can browse sub-genres as well, such as baroque or choral music. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something specific.
2. Live 365 Internet Radio Directory
Live 365 is another huge Internet radio directory, so you’ll find plenty of radio sites to listen to. Just click on the “Classical” genre and you’ll be presented with the most listened to classical radio stations in the directory, plus related genres. To the left, you’ll see the station from the top of the list, ready to play and showing you the current track if possible.
Also, when you play a station, you’re automatically given a list of related stations. This makes changing your choice and exploration even easier.
3. Classical Web Cast
Classical Web Cast is a simple, but well-curated list of only classical music and divides their collection into three distinct lists: USA, Europe and the Rest of the World. It even features quite a few Australian radio stations.
4. Listen Live EU
Listen Live EU is a simple, yet thorough list of European radio stations, and has a section dedicated to classical music stations in Europe. Since you’re only listening for the music, it doesn’t matter if you can understand the commentary or not. Dive in and have a listen!
5. MusOpen
Try MusOpen to download some legal, free classical MP3s. It’s a good way to explore and to be able to keep the classical music you listen to and like.
6. Grooveshark
Grooveshark has an amazing collection of music. For classical music, just head to the main site and choose the “Classical” genre from the genre options on the left.
7. Pandora
Pandora is available to those of you in the US. Just type in any classical composer you like and it will take you from there.
8. Last.fm
Last.fm will let you listen to any genre of music you like by choosing a given tag radio. Check out the Classical tag radio and keep an eye out for similar tags you might try later. This should keep you busy for a while!
9. YouTube
Don’t forget YouTube has plenty of music on it. Search for “Classical” to find users who focus on classical music, listen to classical music playlists and more.
Or check out many more ways to play music on YouTube 5 Ways to Turn YouTube Into Your Personal DJ 5 Ways to Turn YouTube Into Your Personal DJ Read More .
10. uWall Classical
There’s a great service called uWall [No Longer Available], which makes listening to music on YouTube really easy uWall - Your Own Personal YouTube-Based Music Channel uWall - Your Own Personal YouTube-Based Music Channel Read More . Check out their Classical genre for some quick listening.
I hope that keeps you busy listening to classical music for a while. If you’ve got any favourite online classical radio stations, please feel free to tell us in the comments!
Image Credit : MonkeyMike
never heard of Qobuz?
Qobuz is the worst!
They don't know about space between tracks , sometimes cut content or bring it twice when going from one track to the next. You really can't listen to operas like that - and most other music is awful.
I signed up for a HIFI account (280$ !) and withing two hours had three such albums. I immediately tried to cancel the account and told them the service didn't work as advertised. They answered that they did know that, but that I had already payd - so they wouldn't refund.
They are crooks and dont know a thing about music listening.
I like the Notiloo Internet Radio, you can get it at http://www.tekcods.com/, easy and Cool =D
I like the Notiloo Internet Radio, you can get it at http://www.tekcods.com/, easy and Cool =D
Radio swiss classical is really great (as it is radio swiss jazz)
then there's Linn radio, it has a classical and jazz option. High quality at 320Kbps: http://radio.linnrecords.com/
then there's Linn radio, it has a classical and jazz option. High quality at 320Kbps: http://radio.linnrecords.com/
The best time to travel amsterdam would be in the festival time. [Broken Link Removed]
what about itunes radio??? its too easy....
True - it's the same stations as elsewhere, but they do make it very easy!
I like this - Otto's 1FM [Broken Link Removed]
I like this - Otto's 1FM [Broken Link Removed]
we7 (www.we7.com) is a similar streaming service to spotify or Last FM - worth checking out if it works in your country though their classical selection is a bit limited so far.
thanks for the tip
we7 (http://www.we7.com) is a similar streaming service to spotify or Last FM - worth checking out if it works in your country though their classical selection is a bit limited so far.
Re Kay's comment does she live in South Africa? SABC now broadcast classical music only between 4 & 6 am on Saturdays and Sundays so this is fast becoming a country of musical illiterates.
Dennis (Durban, kwa-Zulu Natal)
Re Kay's comment does she live in South Africa? SABC now broadcast classical music only between 4 & 6 am on Saturdays and Sundays so this is fast becoming a country of musical illiterates.
Dennis (Durban, kwa-Zulu Natal)
I live in a place where they've cut classical music on the radio down to a two hour "insomniacs" slot, so thanks for showing me a path out of the cultural desert.
Oh my. Lucky for you, you have the internet. :)
I also like Nexus Radio, Spotify is also good but it will cost you now but you can pay monthly like my son does.
http://www.allclassical.org
Awesome Station based in Portland, Oregon
My best sources for classical music are some youtube channels and radios for the most time! I am from Germany and here are a lot of classical radio stations.
Great article! One of the things I particularly like about Youtube is that they have many videos of historical recordings, of great performers and composers (Pablo Casals, Maria Callas, Gershwin, Ravel to name but a few). Incredible stuff!
It's true. Especially with so many choirs and orchestras recording their own performances, you can get to hear so many pieces and interpretations which would otherwise be impossible to get hold of.
http://www.allclassical.org
Awesom station based in Portland, OR, US
http://www.allclassical.org
Awesome Station based in Portland, Oregon
Another resource is Amazon.com. Every so often they offer things like "greatest works of Chopin", either for free or for a very low price of ~$2 for 50 tracks. Just go to the music section and search for things with a cost of $0
Thanks for the tip!
Another resource is Amazon.com. Every so often they offer things like "greatest works of Chopin", either for free or for a very low price of ~$2 for 50 tracks. Just go to the music section and search for things with a cost of $0