One TEMS fewer

[jean]

This is terrible news! There is so little early music on R3 as it is.

I remember those wonderful reconstructions of Renaissance Masses as they might have been sung on particular occasions, with appropriate propers - they went on for hours.

[french frank]

This is terrible news! There is so little early music on R3 as it is.

I remember those wonderful reconstructions of Renaissance Masses as they might have been sung on particular occasions, with appropriate propers - they went on for hours.

I remember a leading radio critic (no names!) telling me that when the new programmes were launched, it was Radio 3 latching on to the recent increase in interest very belatedly.

The latest changes are a semi-return to the strategies of 12 years ago, junked six years ago - raising the profile of non classical music (jazz and film music, at least, if not world) and reducing Early Music.

[jean]

I remember a leading radio critic (no names!) telling me that when the new programmes were launched, it was Radio 3 latching on to the recent increase in interest very belatedly.

Do you mean the programmes I cited?

Certainly there was a surge of popular interest in early music from the mid-1970s, but in the concert hall it was mostly secular, while the BBC was giving an extraordinary amount of time to sacred polyphony, which never achieved the same widespread popularity.

Clive Wearing was at the BBC at the time, wasn't he? I think he had a lot to do with it (but somebody must have given him his head.)

[jean]

Whilst working at the BBC, Wearing was made responsible for the musical content of Radio 3 for much of 29 July 1981, the day of the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. For that occasion, he chose to recreate, with authentic instruments and meticulously researched scores, the Bavarian royal wedding which took place in Munich on 22nd February 1568. The music by Lassus, Padovano, de'Bardi, Palestrina, Gabrieli, Tallis, etc, was performed by the Taverner Consort, Choir and Players, and the Natural Trumpet Ensemble of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, conducted by Andrew Parrott. This was arguably the high point of his career as a musical researcher.

Those were the days!

[Pegleg]

Reading this news has done little for my blood pressure, or the cleaning bills when the cornflakes went down the shirt front this morning.

This week he had: “six current and former BBC chiefs were grilled over their role in approving deals totalling £369million to all staff over eight years, including £25million to 150 senior managers.” and reports that: “Lord Patten confessed he had failed to protect the interests of the licence-fee payer “. He is still in post of course.

Just how much does reducing TEMS to a miserly one hour a week save? I'm disgusted.

Time for a for3 forum independent virtual production. Perhaps DoverSoul will lead the way with a weekly selection from youtube and the like.

To fill the first week's gap, I'd suggest this: Palestrina 400 years http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpiiWFcOpSE

[french frank]

Do you mean the programmes I cited?

No, I meant when The Early Music Shows were launched (Sept 2003?). That was what was deemed 'belated'.

If that's 10 years it's been on they may argue, as with Jazz Legends, that they've 'covered all the material' ....

[jean]

Didn't it take over from that programme with Christopher Page, whose title I can't remember?

[french frank]

Didn't it take over from that programme with Christopher Page, whose title I can't remember?

I think the immediate 'predecessor' was Music Restored, I think with Lucie Skeaping(?), and before that there was Spirit of the Age. But TEMS doubled the number of progs per week (though I think earlier ones did have a late night repeat each week - as did TEMS at one point).

[Flosshilde]

Do you mean the one that was on in the 4 - 5 slot, once a week Thursday?)? On other days I think there was a programme of light music (or perhaps film music), Choral Evensong on Wednesday, etc.

(ff beat me to it)

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

as i become increasingly withdrawn and dismayed, i find the bbc apes our national predicament; there is no point discussing/deciding policies when the executive structure is so corrupt/broke that the only game in town is complete reformation ....

[edashtav]

This is appalling. Is it based on audience research,do you think? Is there too much early music on R3? For me, one of the outstanding programmes with two of the best and most knowledgeable presenters on the station. Sounds like part of general dumbing down.

I agree, absolutely.

[teamsaint]

classic radio as far as I am concerned.
Early music isn't always my first port of call, but I heard lots of great music and learned a bit along the way on a Saturday lunchtime on my way to the footy.

or shopping.

Oh, and its probably Mrs TS's favourite show on R3.
So that would be a listener half lost !!

[MickyD]

I have only just read this dreadful piece of news...I am heartbroken. I suppose we can always take comfort from the fact that the money saved from axeing the extra programme will help top up those pension pots.

[ardcarp]

I've only just read it too. Very depressing indeed. The glory is departed. Can we have Tallis's Lamentations (both parts) please?

How awful that one of the finest programmes, with the most talented presenters, can be decimated?

[Old Grumpy]

I've only just read it too. Very depressing indeed. The glory is departed. How awful that one of the finest programmes, with the most talented presenters, can be decimated?

Agree entirely - one of the best programmes "on the dial".