Radio Simorgh

Radio Simorgh plays classical Persian music and culture-focused programmes. The name refers to the Simorgh, a mythical bird in Persian literature, a wise and benevolent creature that appears in the Shahnameh, the great epic of Ferdowsi, and in Attar's Conference of the Birds. The station's content follows this cultural spirit, with traditional instruments such as the santur, tar, setar and ney, vocal performances in the classical radif tradition and discussions of poetry, history and the arts.

Persian classical music is based on a system of modes, called dastgah, and favours improvisation and emotional depth, so it rewards patient and attentive listening. The station is a good resource for listeners who want to explore this tradition, whether they are part of the Iranian diaspora or newcomers curious about one of the world's oldest musical cultures. The stream is delivered as MP3 at 128 kbps, which gives clear tone to the delicate instruments and vocal ornamentation that define the style. It plays directly in your browser on RadioKite, with no software to install, and you can add the station to your favourites so that it is always close at hand for quiet evenings, reading, meditation or moments of reflection.