The Listening Service

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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

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Music: Classical

An odyssey through the musical universe, presented by Tom Service

Rethink music with The Listening Service. Tom Service presents a journey of imagination and insight, exploring how music works

The Listening Service: What counts as 'classical music'?

How do you describe a teaspoon in music?

What counts as 'classical music'?

BBC Radio 3 - The Listening Service, What counts as 'classical music'?

What do we actually mean when we talk about 'classical music'?  What is or isn't it?

What does the term 'classical music' really mean?  Does being played by an orchestra make music classical? What about film music? Crossover artists? Game music? With Tom Service.

What do we actually mean when we talk about "classical music"?  What is  - or isn't it?

By its narrowest definition it's essentially mid-18th to early 19th century music and yet it's usually used to mean much much more. So how is classical music defined these days? Is it a walled garden of a very distinct style,  or can  it embrace all sorts of things? Does being played by an orchestra make something classical? Is film music classical? Are crossover artists classical? Is game music classical? Questions, and possibly some answers, with Tom Service, plus thoughts from composer Max Richter and writer Charlotte Higgins..

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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What counts as 'classical music'?

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