Yes that edition of The Early Music Show as quite technical which can be a barrier. It assumed that the listener would know that music is written in keys, that there are such things as sharp and flat notes and that different keys contain different numbers of sharp and flat notes. There was also a discussion about the appropriate use of the term “Sturm und Drang” in relation to e.g. Haydn’s early symphonies. The latter is specialist indeed. Other editions are less technical and tend to focus more on the biography of a given composer in the pre-romantic era.
However,I guess that , in general, classical music does require some prior basic music knowledge.
The Quietus . A free online and subscription based magazine covering music, art, books, and film. The music choice is mostly on the independent side. It takes a bit of time to sift through the reviews but there are true gems to be found.
sputnik music . If you like music more at the fringes or even in extreme territory, this is your home. It has staff and user reviews, a forum, and a very useful artist database. Want to know which are the most highly regarded albums from ‘Low’? They almost all are. For other bands we are exploring it’s a good starting point. Who has time to listen through a whole back catalog of a band to find that one treasure.
Metacritic . Sometimes it’s a good idea to see what a collection of critics have to say about an album. Either when choosing or while listening. This is the place to find out. Also covers other media like movies, games and TV.
For other bands we are exploring it’s a good starting point. Who has time to listen through a whole back catalog of a band to find that one treasure.
Low. A lot.