Радио Орфей

Радио Орфей is the classical radio Russia has long deserved. The programming is unashamedly highbrow: think complete symphonies instead of bite-sized movements. You'll hear Tchaikovsky's Pathétique followed by Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, with a stop for Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky. The 256kbps stream delivers crisp, detailed sound that brings out the texture of a full orchestra. That matters for this music. Presenters speak in Russian, and their commentary is sparse but insightful. They might contextualize a Shostakovich quartet within Soviet history or highlight a lesser-known piece by Gliè…