Classical podcasts from labels, and a new show Down Under

Amid our recent discussion of classical podcasts, this news item caught my eye: the host of a classical show on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.’s radio stations found a new home for his program after the CBC dropped it in March. Rick Phillips’ Sound Advice is now available as a podcast. The interesting thing is that the new producer and distributor of Sound Advice is Universal Music Canada, the record label. As a result, the show, which discusses classical recordings, now spotlights only Universal products.

Here’s the full article at scena.org about this change. Radio stations, take note — if you create a vacuum or leave one unfilled, other producers in the new-media realm are in line to cozy up to your listeners.

Another example is the weekly podcast available from the Naxos label, featuring interviews with performers, composers, conductors and others about new recordings on Naxos. Thanks to David Srebnik for pointing that one out after I asked for podcast suggestions.

In our comment threads, a few commenters have recently been discussing enjoyable and adventurous classical programs to catch on Web streams. Here’s another one that might be worth checking out: the Australian Broadcasting Corp.’s New Music Up Late with Julian Day. You can stream episodes in Real Player or Windows Media (MP3 streams please?). A Sydney Morning Herald article profiling the show’s young host says it features “cutting-edge chamber music, improvisation, sound installation, minimalism, extreme noise, experimental DJs, [and] ragged post rock.” More from the article, which is where I learned of the show:

Day says he likes music to be “deep, strange, original and extreme” but strenuously rejects the idea that a lot of new music sounds discordant. “That’s still a lingering misconception among a lot of classical listeners. It’s not just strange noises. We now have 40 years of composers influenced by rock and jazz who create really engaging, accessible music.

“Some composers like to push the barriers and challenge their audience; others are really interested in engaging their audience. I think just a casual listen to the program shows you it is a really diverse and interesting area.”

Sounds worth a listen, doesn’t it? If you check it out, let us know how it is. Here are the ABC’s podcasts as well. And have a great weekend!