Spent a refreshing afternoon today in Finland, thanks to my internet radio and Yle Klassinen. Of course, they’re ahead, so it was really evening for them. The programming is about the furthest thing from the kind of dumbing down that’s sadly become the norm for so much U.S. classical music radio. I had the station on for seven hours today. No single movements. Complete works only. And surprisingly few warhorses. In fact, I think I recognized maybe four pieces. And trust me, I know A LOT of classical music. Fortunately, they post the playlists on their website, which can be translated into English. A good thing, too, as I can’t understand a thing the hosts are saying. But if I listen often enough, I expect I’ll be speaking Finnish in a month. Just got to enjoy my first Sibelius symphony (the Symphony No. 3, with Sakari Oramo conducting) transmitted directly from Finland. Thank you, Yle Klassinen!

https://areena.yle.fi/podcastit/1-70719257