h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I just got a new gizmo. It's called a Squeezebox. It's a music player. It hasn't any music inside it, but links in through the Wireless Network to my PC. There's a small program installed on the PC which scans the PC and finds all the music stored on it. This can then be played on the Squeezebox no matter where in the house it is. It can also play Internet Radio channels, of which there are thousands.

It was all very easy to set up - all the software worked first time!

The only drawback is that the PC has to be turned on and logged in.

Oooh cool - I have been considering buying one of these, but didn't know anyone else who used one. What is the sound quality like please?

Would you like any recommendations for, say, German stations to listen to? Or programmes of interest coming up?

The sound quality is very good. Monngo impressed!

I'd love recommendations for good music channels. There's not much point in me listening to German talk radio, as my command of German is not that good yet. (Although I have a vague plan to do a refresher course in German).

Well, in Germany the radio stations are exclusively regional. (Except for Deutschlandfunk and Deutsche Welle - equivalent to the BBC World Service) As far as I know, all the second programmes are the classic ones. You can listen to a classic performance and only have to understand the names of the soloists, conductors, composer and work. OPus numbers and BWV, KV numbers you will probably be able to decipher.

The word "Programm" is usually used for the schedule.

This is a map showing which radio stations cover which areas:

http://www.ard.de/radio/alle-wellen/-/id=135130/cf=42/wkmjpm/index.html

Starting at the top, the Northern area has a culture programme (which can include plays and lectures, book reviews etc, not only music, of course)
http://www.ndrkultur.de/index.html
So, in this case, "NDR2" is not the serious, cultural station.

Then, picking our local one: here it is the "second" programme:

http://www.swr.de/swr2/

Equally, you can look at hr2, sr2 and wdr. (Hessischer Rundfunk, Saarländischer Rundfunk and Westdeutscher Rundfunk)

Originally, they had three stations each, approximately - one for light music and news, one for classical music and longer discussions and cultural subjects, and the third programme for pop music.

The stations now have far more channels each, covering "Volksmusik" and "Schlager", hiphop/dance etc ... and very very local stations.

For learning German, you may find help on the Deutsche Welle - they provide small podcasts to listen to and learn from.

They even have a part of the site in English to get you started.

http://www.deutsche-welle.de/

You will find "Learning German" on the left.

Dear Gnoman

what a wonderful name for the new gadget. I wonder if you can get marvellous concerts and orchestras with it. If so, I wonder how I could get hold of it. I miss the concerts which we used to receive with the Famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and of course the occasional ballet which we received. also Glyndbourne - which I actually went to once.

Lucky you. enjoy your lovely new gadget.

Christiane.
23/10/09 13.40

Christiane, the squeezebox is only a handy way of delivering to any room in the house the music which is already on the computer. You should be able to receive all these things you mention on your computer. I'll look into it and get back to you.

That sounds like a great idea!

Hi gnoman,

Thank you so much. and Elantani you are also a music lover!!

CME
AR80
23/10/09

15.00 BST

>>"Schlager", hiphop/dance etc .

Hmmm! Very Interesting!

I am working my way through the newly-remastered Beatles CDs and last night I listened to the weird single 'You know my name, look up the number'.

It's their nearest thing to a Goons record, and strongly prefigures Monty Python. At one point it wanders into a night-club ambience, with an MC saying 'Good evening and welcome to Slaggers'. Were they drawing on their German experience? No doubt!