Norman Schwartz writes positively about FM radio:

>For example just the other week while travelling in my car, listening
>to CONNECTICUT PUBLIC RADIO, *no less*(WEDW, 88.5 FM), I heard Witt's
>Quintet for Piano and Winds, Op. 5, a piece I never heard before and
>most probably never would.

Let's continue with this Witt example.  I also like his Quintet and enjoy
listening to it when I'm in a *particular* mood.  That also goes for just
about any other piece of music as well - when I'm in the mood.

The basic problem I find with catching music on the radio is that no station
can possibly know what musical mood I'm in at the time.  However, I well
know my moods and keep a fine inventory of discs in my car to cover every
mood.  With this process, I can listen to just what I want at any particular
moment.  No radio station can satisfy in this regard.

Norman could argue that I can't hear music new to me if I only listen to my
own cd's.  That's why I often acquire music I've not heard before; I want to
keep up with the unknown and would rather do so thru my own devices.

I think that another poster, Jon Gallant, was somewhat negative about
private consumption being the *only* form of consumption and talked up the
cultural aspects of music as well as the benefits of the public domain.
He's certainly entitled to injecting culture and public benefits into the
discussion, but I personally don't consider those aspects.  Put another way,
I don't allow the weighty aspects of society into my musical world which is
primarily my prime-time leisure pursuit.  There may be some folks who listen
to FM broadcasts as their way to support the Arts; I listen to music for
personal enrichment.

Don Satz

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