HR 2

HR 2 is Hessischer Rundfunk's cultural flagship, and it wears that badge with quiet confidence. The programming is a deliberate mix - Bach cantatas give way to Bill Evans, then a feature on avant-garde theater. It's not background music; this is radio that demands attention. The classical selections lean toward the canonical but occasionally surprise you with a contemporary piece. Jazz slots favor the cerebral side - think mid-period Miles rather than smooth jazz. The spoken-word segments can drag if you're not fluent in German, but the music more than compensates. Listen to HR 2 online and yo…