Axing of BBC Singers and related cuts

[Pulcinella]

A broader view in an article by Waldemar Januszczak in today's Sunday Times:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-real-culture-war-britains-artistic-soul-is-in-peril-wprwp99pz?shareToken=be6ce0b25826ce0b2c8a75cae0c964a7

For some reason, I can't post a link to the column about JEG, but there's nothing new in that.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A broader view in an article by Waldemar Januszczak in today's Sunday Times:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-real-culture-war-britains-artistic-soul-is-in-peril-wprwp99pz?shareToken=be6ce0b25826ce0b2c8a75cae0c964a7

For some reason, I can't post a link to the column about JEG, but there's nothing new in that.

Unfortunately this article paints a black and white picture of the BBCS.

“Global top”? I don’t think so; but doubts that many of us have had about some of the group’s performances does not in any way justify its demise. Anyway, I doubt whether the pen-pushers ever considered musical qualities at all.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Unfortunately this article paints a black and white picture of the BBCS.

“Global top”? I don’t think so; but doubts that many of us have had about some of the group’s performances does not in any way justify its demise. Anyway, I doubt whether the pen-pushers ever considered musical qualities at all.

I’m glad you sad it. The output of angst and hyperbole about the BBCS cuts come from people who hardly ever went to their concerts or listened to them on R3. I’m fed up hearing very well paid classical stars suggesting the BBC is abandoning classical music . It’s just not true. Even after these regrettable cuts, a result of the licence fee freeze, the BBC will still be the UK’ s largest employer of classical musicians by a mile . Why don’t they lobby Sky to start an orchestra , or ITV and Channel 4 (the last two are both public service broadcasters ) or indeed Classic FM?

[antongould]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/speak-up-for-the-unsung-bbc-singers/

Support from an unlikely source ……. Excuse the other jingoism if it’s not to your taste

[DracoM]

[Ein Heldenleben]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/...g-bbc-singers/


Support from an unlikely source ……. Excuse the other jingoism if it’s not to your taste

I’m surprised Charles Moore didn’t think the BBC Singers some sort of pinko conspiracy using Italianate vibrato to undermine the essential purity of the Anglican “white “ voice tradition. However support wherever it comes from is welcome although in his case he’s emphatically no supporter of the BBC.

[Tevot]

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/...g-bbc-singers/


Support from an unlikely source ……. Excuse the other jingoism if it’s not to your taste

Thanks very much for the link Anton. Totally agree with his views of the bosses' treatment of the BBC and classical music in general.

[ardcarp]

I’m fed up hearing very well paid classical stars suggesting the BBC is abandoning classical music . It’s just not true

Maybe they haven't 'abandoned' classical music, but there is an almost universal storm of anger among professional musicians about the direction the BBC is taking. Most music-lovers agree with them.

[pastoralguy]

As a young music student 30 odd years ago, I’d always entertained a very private ambition that I would be invited to play in the orchestra for the coronation that would anoint Prince Charles to King. Of course, it was extremely unlikely to happen but I do wonder that, had I been chosen, I’d now be contemplating withdrawing my services in protest re the BBC singers. Would I also be petitioning colleagues to do the same?

Imagine the Coronation without music!

[french frank]

I’m fed up hearing very well paid classical stars suggesting the BBC is abandoning classical music . It’s just not true

Maybe they haven't 'abandoned' classical music, but there is an almost universal storm of anger among professional musicians about the direction the BBC is taking. Most music-lovers agree with them.

I've given up on the BBC (except news online) because it's abandoned me. Hard to claim that classical music is well-served by BBC television. I don't bother with Radio 3 because so much of it is frankly irritating and I'm not interested in picking an odd programme now and again (lunchtime concert? evening concert?) by keeping a constant eye on the listings. It's not like a child in a toy shop, unable to know what to choose from all the goodies on offer. It's poking about in all the dark and dusty corners for some treasure that might be lurking there now and again.

I’d now be contemplating withdrawing my services in protest re the BBC singers. Would I also be petitioning colleagues to do the same?

Take the thought for the deed

[Ein Heldenleben]

Maybe they haven't 'abandoned' classical music, but there is an almost universal storm of anger among professional musicians about the direction the BBC is taking. Most music-lovers agree with them.

Yes but these days an awful lot of people spend their time angry about everything. I don’t agree with the cuts but to pretend that classical music has been singled out in some way by the BBC isn’t accurate. The cuts are pretty much in line with what’s happened in other BBC departments and in the case of the orchestras less. Other areas have had staff cuts with no freelance replacement and a consequent cut in service - indeed sometimes a complete loss of a service.
Where were all those now complaining during the summer when Prom audiences were well down on previous years? And it’s not just BBC concerts - a recent superb concert conducted by Edward Gardner at the RFH played to a closed balcony. If classical music audiences don’t support live music making can we be surprised when the taxpayer is reluctant to?

[jonfan]

The BBC, from Reithian days, is there to sponsor music and performances that no commercial organisation would contemplate. The axing of the Singers, who do much work in education and supporting new music, is such an ill thought-out project accompanied by Birt speak. Going for freelance orchestral musicians denies security and rights of employment that is worthy of Uber. Because the BBC is the biggest employer of orchestral musicians in the UK means we should expect better.

[jonfan]

Where were all those now complaining during the summer when Prom audiences were well down on previous years? And it’s not just BBC concerts - a recent superb concert conducted by Edward Gardner at the RFH played to a closed balcony. If classical music audiences don’t support live music making can we be surprised when the taxpayer is reluctant to?

Were the audiences well down? The concerts I went to were sold out. People were glad to be back in the Hall after lockdown.The BBC is supported by licence fee payers (and what amazing value it is) so it’s not a tax.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Where the audiences well down? The concerts I went to were sold out. People were glad to be back in the Hall after lockdown.The BBC is supported by licence fee payers (and what amazing value it is) so it’s not a tax.

On some of the tv broadcasts I saw the arena did look pretty sparse by historic standards - there were also comments on the forum and indeed in the press on attendance at some concerts. The taxpayer reference was in relation to the RFH concert not the proms - though there is hidden taxpayer support in there in the form of the many non -BBC UK orchestras and groups that perform there.

I guess the point I’m trying to make (as somebody who pre lockdown was spending several thousand pounds a year on live opera and classical music performances involving very often a 500 mile round trip ) is that it’s a shame that many of those * quick to condemn the BBC for these cuts don’t do slightly more themselves to support live music.

I would agree with you about the value of the licence fee. In the interests of disclosure I am not unbiased as I worked there for decades. In the interests of balance I can also reveal that’s there’s plenty of room to save money in that organisation but you wouldn’t believe the obstacles that are put in your way when you try to do so. My first port of call would be TV drama commissions and to ask the simple question : why do the Scandinavians produce it for about 20 to 30 per cent less per hour than we do? ( one hour of mid range tv drama would pay for the BBC singers for a year). I guess all those fiords have cheaper location fees.
And as for natural history films - 320 filming days for each episode of Wild Isles?

* “those “ - people in general ie not necessarily on this forum .

[mopsus]

And as for natural history films - 320 filming days for each episode of Wild Isles?

Maybe the justification there is that the costs can be recouped by selling the programme on to broadcasters in other countries? Attenborough is very bankable. But I'm not and haven't ever been an insider so this is just a guess.