ABC Classic FM
Encyclopedia
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
radio station available in Australia, and internationally online. It is operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
(ABC). It was established in 1976 as "ABC-FM", and later for a short time was known as "ABC Fine Music" (a play on the letters FM), before adopting its current name. It was the ABC's first experiment in FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
broadcasting – which had become a necessity in Australia as broadcasters ran out of AM frequencies on which to transmit.
ABC Classic FM, inspired partly by the example of BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, broadcasts classical music, operas, recitals, live concerts, and music analysis programs.
ABC Classic FM is the broadcaster for the Sydney International Piano Competition
Sydney International Piano Competition
The Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia is a music competition, presented by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in association with the University of Sydney and broadcast live throughout Australia. It is held every four years, over a three-week period in July-August, and is...
.
The monthly arts magazine Limelight
Limelight (magazine)
Limelight is an Australian monthly arts and music magazine.It has been published under that name since June 2003. It was published under its previous name, 24 Hours, from January 1976...
was, under its former name 24 Hours (1976–2003), originally owned and published by the ABC. It is now independently owned and published, but continues a strong affiliation with the ABC and with ABC Classic FM in particular, and provides details of the station's forthcoming programs.
News bulletins
In common with all ABC RadioABC Radio and Regional Content
ABC Radio and Regional Content is the division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for radio output and regional content.-Origins:...
stations (other than Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
, which operates its own service), it also carries news bulletins produced by ABC News
ABC News (Australia)
ABC News is a national news service produced by the News and Current Affairs division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation - the division is responsible for all newsgathering and production of news output for ABC television, radio and online services...
. On 19 December 2005, in line with the policy applied at every ABC Radio network (except Triple J and Radio Australia
Radio Australia
Radio Australia is the international broadcasting and online service operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation , Australia's public broadcaster.- History :...
), these news bulletins became state-based rather than national.
On weekdays, ABC Classic FM's news bulletins are broadcast at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 and then hourly (except at 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00) until 19.00. At weekends, news bulletins are broadcast hourly from 5:00 till 10:00, then at 12:00, 17:00 and 19:00. All news broadcasts, other than an extended 10-minute bulletin at 7:00, run for five minutes.
Classic 100 countdowns
Since 2001, ABC Classic FM has organised a number of Classic 100 Countdown surveys. The results of each survey are decided by votes cast by the listeners of ABC Classic FM. Several months after the voting, the works are played in reverse order of popularity, over an intense seven to ten days of marathon programming. The countdown culminates in the broadcast of a live concert featuring the most popular pieces and finishing with the number one listener choice. A feature of the countdown is that the top 100 pieces are kept secret until announced (including the final concert).See also
- Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
- Symphony AustraliaSymphony Australia- Symphony Services International :Formerly Symphony Services Australia Limited , Symphony Services International has been orchestrating excellence for many years....
- Margaret ThrosbyMargaret ThrosbyMargaret Throsby AM is an Australian radio broadcaster.She has presented ABC Classic FM's Morning Program since 1994. Each morning an hour is devoted to an interview with a notable guest, interspersed with some of their own musical choices. She has interviewed thousands of notable people...
- Emma AyresEmma AyresEmma Ayres is a musician, music teacher, and radio presenter. She is notable for her work on the Australian ABC Classic FM radio station, as well as for her numerous charitable efforts.-Background:Ayres grew up in Shrewsbury, England...