ABC Classic FM has axed its popular Sunday Live program after some 40 years, leaving the station with no regular live broadcast in its schedule.

Sunday Live was a series of free weekly concerts staged around the country, often featuring young, emerging performers as well as work by Australian composers.

"I fear the worst": Composer Houston Dunleavy. Credit:Ben Long

Over the years, performers as diverse as Geoffrey Tozer, Tamara Anna Cislowska, Claire Edwardes and Dale Barlow have appeared on the program.

Classic FM manager Richard Buckham confirmed Sunday Live was being axed but denied it was a victim of the ABC budget cuts imposed by the Federal Government.