WFMT Radio Network in Chicago launched "New York Sounds" on Shanghai Classical 94.7 FM on Thursday. The weekly program features New York's greatest cultural exports via live radio broadcasts from Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic.

"Presenting concerts by New York's greatest music organizations on the radio in China is a privilege and we are honored to play a central role in this historic cultural exchange," said Steve Robinson, general manager of the WFMT Radio Network.

Shanghai Classical 94.7 began broadcasting programs distributed by the WFMT Radio Network in January 2015 with performances by the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony.

The broadcasts marked the first collaboration between Shanghai Classical 94.7 FM, the only full-time classical music radio station in China, and the Chicago-based WFMT Radio Network, one of the largest producers and distributors of classical, jazz, folk and spoken-word programming in the world.

Chinese listeners responded positively to the current program, which is broadcast from 7-9 pm every Friday.

"The 'American live concert program' (on Shanghai Classical 94.7) has given us the opportunity to hear performances from the best symphony orchestras in the US," said Wang Cheng, 28, a listener of Shanghai Classical 94.7 FM from Shanghai.

"This program really satisfies my curiosity," said Zhang Tao, 45, another listener. "I know what kind of music orchestras in the US are playing now."

In response to popular demand, Shanghai Classical 94.7 and WFMT Radio Network have decided to expand the current program to include the "Carnegie Hall Live" series (produced by WQXR in New York) and concerts by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. "New York Sounds" combines the above two with concerts by New York Philharmonic.

Shen Shuqiang, director of Shanghai Classical 94.7, said: "Our listeners are enthusiastic about the broadcast of American orchestra on our station. 'New York Sounds' will bring more of the WFMT Radio Network's superb programming to China."

Commenting on the programming, Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director, said, "We are excited about this new outlet for Carnegie Hall's concerts. Audiences in Shanghai responded warmly to the recent tour to China by our National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, and we're sure listeners to Shanghai East Classical will respond just as enthusiastically to the Carnegie Hall concerts."

Founded in 1973, the WFMT Radio Network currently produces and syndicates many music radio programs, including classical music, music festivals and jazz. These programs are distributed to stations throughout the US, representing nearly 1,000 markets, plus major national radio networks in more than 50 countries. In August, the WFMT Radio Network became the first US-based fine arts network to be an associate member of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.

For China Daily