Anyone moved from Classic FM to Radio 3?

[WingDefence]

I listen to the radio while I work (I work from home) and have always listened to Classic FM.

Recently I've found the adverts completely grating (so have to break from my work to mute the radio when particularly awful ones come on) and the fact that the same pieces of music are played over and over, especially Downton-bloody-Abbey which is the worst piece of soundtrack music ever and then the fact that Jamie Crick didn't play my request yesterday so this afternoon I switched to Radio 3.

As the pieces this afternoon were full length, I found that it really did melt into the background, in a good way, and the lack of adverts was very refreshing.

Has anyone else made the leap? Or have you perhaps swapped but missed the bitesized chunks of recognisable music and have moved back?

For Radio 3 fans, are there any presenters or 'shows' that I need to make sure I keep half an ear out for?

Thanks!

[Katisha]

Radio 3 does bite size in its breakfast programme 6.30 to 9. Then it carries on in a similar vein but not quite as bite sized in Essential Classics 9 to 12. Then you have composer of the week followed by a lunchtime concert of chamber music at 1. The afternoon is all specially recorded full length stuff. At 4.30 it goes bit sized again for In Tune which also has live guests and then the evening concert at 7.30 is usually an orchestral concert and always live from somewhere in the UK. So quite a mixture depending on time of day.

[WingDefence]

Thank so much Katisha (is there beauty in the bellow of the blast? )

I only tuned in just after 2 so got the nice full-length music but I do like to listen to more well-known classical pieces too.

I think the schedule sounds great as you've described it. I feel like I've gone shopping and bought something really new and exciting and it's only a change in radio station :)

[Katisha]

[DystopianReality]

Radio 3 is really not as high brow as some imagine. It had lots of variety depending on what you listen to. I can't bear the adverts and repeated 'light excerpts' on Classic FM and find it patronising. You are much better off with Radio 3 or you can switch over to 'Soul Music' on a Sunday on Radio 4 (one of the best programmes on radio...)

[TeaandHobnobs]

I've listened to Classic FM most of my life but got into Radio 3 a few years back when I couldn't stand the adverts and the idiotic prattle any more.

I love Radio 3 and the fact I hear music I've not heard before but enjoy. Having said that, I don't like everything (that stuff they play late at night is weiiiiiird, although can sort of be enjoyed in the right mood).

But now DS is here (5 mo) I change between the two during the day, as I feel like Classic FM plays more stuff he might enjoy listening to (yes I know he's only 5 months, but I really want him to like classical music!). The Classic FM presenters still talk a load of shite though

[fatsatsuma]

I'm increasingly listening to Radio 3 instead of Classic FM. I get fed up with the same old stuff on Classic FM - sometimes it just seems too lightweight and pop-classic.

[WingDefence]

I must just be getting older - I remember listening to Classic Fm when I was revising for my finals in the late 90s. I think that's when I got hooked.

Glad to hear others feel the same about Classic FM though. If I had heard John Suchet advertising his own book on Beethoven one more time, I would probably have screamed at the radio.

Tea if you play Classic FM to DS he might end up prefering the cheery-cheery adverts to the music!

[GrendelsMum]

Our office has moved over to Radio 3, although not everyone is enjoying the piano season!

I love the weird late night stuff myself.

[WingDefence]

Well I'd completely forgotten about Choral Evensong. I used to go out with a 'lay gentleman' at the cathedral in my university city and loved evensong. It's so relaxing.

I've really enjoyed the music all day today. Okay, so I've only recognised a couple of pieces so far but actually as it's meant to be background to my work, it's perfect.

I think Radio 3 is definitely a keeper :)

[MirandaWest]

I wake up to Radio 3 and quite often listen to it throughout the day. Had strayed a bit over to Classic FM but they do talk rubbish sometimes. Accidentally listened to Alan Titchmarsh on Saturday morning for a few minutes and was intensly pained.

Building a library on Saturday mornings on radio 3 very good but does depend on what the piece of music is.

[Katisha]

Wing the breakfast programme plays requests sometimes ... Give it a go!

[MirandaWest]

I got DS mentioned on his birthday on Radio 3

[WingDefence]

I might have to Katisha!

Miranda that's very good!

[choccyp1g]

I swap between the two, and find that they are always playing the same type of music. e.g. if Classic FM is playing a tinkly piano piece then so will R3; if Radio 3 is playing opera so will Classic FM; they both have the B*stard news and weather (plus ads or program trailers) at the same time, etc.

So there is no real choice. When I first started listening to R3 (before Classic FM started) I used to make the effort to but DCs of the things I liked, but now I am too lazy, so when they are both playing the same boring style, I move over to radio 4....