In this period of cultural decline, it is a special sadness when a classical radio station dies and is replaced by a station catering to rock or other popular programming. This is what happened in December to WNCN-FM, a long-time New York metropolitan-area classical station. On barely twelve hours’ public notice, it was transformed into Q-104.3, or what the press release called a “Pure Rock radio station, featuring the music of Aerosmith, AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Led Zeppelin and much more.” For GAF Broadcasting, WNCN’s owner, the conversion was the triumphant climax of a campaign that began in the late 1980s with the progressive and calculated destruction of the station’s serious programming. Vocal music was cut out; all music written after World War I was proscribed, as was all “difficult” music of whatever period; regular taped live orchestral broadcasts were limited to the Chicago Symphony; the ...

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