NPR had a phenomenal national host years ago in Karl Hass (spelling?) on “Morning Pro Musica”. His love of music was transmitted with his voice, he made unusual pieces accessible, and he instructed without talking down, while still maintaining that tranquil NPR vibe. The German accent was there, but did not make him less understandable.
In Boston Robert J Lurtsema did Morning Pro Musica from 1971 till his death in
2000 on WGBH-FM. I’m not all that familiar
with classical music but it was common
knowledge in our area that he would open
his show with chirping birds.
Wikipedia:”Another example of Lurtsema’s subtle sense of humor was the morning after the presidential election of 1980. He began the program as usual with a few minutes of birds, followed by that morning’s theme music and his trademark introduction, “Good morning on this Wednesday morning. And now a look at the news, edited and reported by Morning Pro Musica’s host, Robert J. Lurtsema.” Then on that morning he went on to say, “There is no news worth reporting this morning,” and went on with the program!”