The Best Classical Music Radio Stations in Boston
Looking for the best classical music radio stations in Boston? Look no further! Here are our top picks for where to tune in for classical music in the Boston area.
WGBH
WGBH is a classical music radio station in Boston that has been broadcasting since 1951. They offer a wide variety of music, from Bach to Beethoven to Brahms, and they also offer a variety of programs, including interviews, live performances, and even talk shows.
Programming
WGBH offers two distinct classical music radio stations for Boston listeners. 89.7 FM is WGBH’s primary classical music station, while 99.5 FM airs a more eclectic mix of music, including jazz and blues. Both stations feature local and national news, weather, and traffic updates throughout the day.
89.7 FM: The flagship classical music station in Boston, 89.7 FM features a wide variety of music from the Baroque and Renaissance periods to the modern era. The station’s programming is designed to appeal to a broad range of listeners, with something for everyone from die-hard classical fans to those just discovering the genre. In addition to traditional orchestral works, 89.7 FM also airs chamber music, solo recitals, opera, and more.
99.5 FM: Boston’s only 24-hour jazz and blues station, 99.5 FM features a wide variety of music from these two genres as well as related styles such as R&B, soul, and gospel. The station’s programming is designed to appeal to both casual listeners and hardcore fans alike, with something for everyone from those who just want to tap their toes to those who want to immerse themselves in the music. In addition to featuring local and national artists, 99.5 FM also offers live broadcasts of concerts and events happening around the city.
History
WGBH is a public radio station located in Boston, Massachusetts. The station is a member of National Public Radio and is considered one of the leading classical music radio stations in the country.
WGBH was founded in 1951 by Gordon McLendon, a Texas oilman who purchased the Boston television station WBGH-TV from NBC. McLendon was an early advocate of FM radio and was instrumental in the development of classical music programming on WGBH.
The station began broadcasting its classical music format in 1953, and it has been one of the most popular classical music stations in Boston ever since. In addition to its classical music programming, WGBH also airs NPR news and talk shows, as well as a variety of local programs.
WCRB
WCRB is a classical music radio station in Boston, Massachusetts. The station is owned by WGBH Radio and is a part of National Public Radio. WCRB airs a variety of classical music programming, including classical music concerts, interviews, and features.
Programming
WCRB is dedicated to providing the best classical music experience in Boston. Our on-air programs feature music from the world’s greatest composers, performed by today’s leading artists.
You’ll hear a mix of familiar favorites and new discoveries, all expertly programmed to create a refreshing and enjoyable listening experience. Whether you’re a passionate classical music fan or just exploring the genre for the first time, we invite you to tune in and explore the beauty of classical music on WCRB.
History
WCRB (102.5 FM) is a non-commercial, public radio station broadcasting a Classical music format. The station, which is owned and operated by WGBH Radio, is licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, and its transmitter is located atop the Prudential Tower in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.
WCRB’s HD2 subchannel broadcasts an all-baroque music format under the branding “Baroque and Beyond”, while its HD3 subchannel airs an all- request classical music format called “ClassicalWCVB”.
The station first went on the air October 8,1948 as W45BOS. It was originally owned by Vernon Castle and his wife Irene Castle; at the time, it was the only FM radio station in Boston. The call letters were changed to WCRB in 1957.
WJMF
WJMF (88.1 FM) is a non-profit, listener-supported radio station in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in classical music. The station is owned by the Boston Classical Orchestra and broadcasts from the Boston University campus. WJMF’s programming consists of a mix of live and recorded classical music, as well as interviews with classical musicians.
Programming
WJMF is your home for the great classics, from early music to the Romantics and beyond. We play all the masterpieces you know and love, along with new discoveries and modern classics. Tune in for lively hosts, interesting features, and of course, the best classical music in Boston.
History
WJMF (88.1 MHz) is a non-commercial classical music radio station in Boston, Massachusetts. The station is owned by the classical music non-profit WGBH Educational Foundation and is a member station of National Public Radio (NPR).
WJMF went on the air on December 1, 1949, as WCRB-FM, the sister station to WCRB (1320 AM). That station had been founded in 1922 and was acquired by WGBH in 1948. Both stations were owned by the Atlantic Broadcasting Company. WCRB-FM originally simulcast the programming of its AM sister station, but began airing its own programming in the late 1960s. In 1971, the call letters were changed to WGBH-FM.
The station began airing classical music full-time in 1975 and adopted its current call letters, WJMF, in 1978. In 1979, WJMF became an affiliate of NPR’s Classical 24 network. In 2016, WGBH announced that it would sell the license for its HD2 subchannel to smooth jazz station WMJX (106.7 FM), which will move its HD2 channel to 88.1 FM and adopt the name “Magic HD2.”
