More odd scheduling on R3 next week. . .

[Guest]

It's as if the week's programming is done by two or more different people who don't talk to each other!

So I got my Radio Times yesterday and began flicking through the week on R3. Pleased to see Shostakovich Cello Concerto 1 down for Monday's Ao3. Good, haven't heard Emanuelle Bertrand playing it. Wonder what's on on Tuesday? Ah, good. . . Po3 . . . what have we? Shostakovich Cello Concerto 1, played by Pieter Wispelwey.

I mean, I don't mind -- this is one of the great concertos, played by two brilliant soloists, and I'll be listening. It just seems a strange bit of programming for a station that isn't just playing records all the time.

Moving on to Friday, really pleased to see Frank Bridge's cello concerto Oration getting an airing on CC, played by Steven Isserlis. (This should be heard and played much more, and no doubt would be if he'd just called it a cello concerto instead!) Then, the very same evening on Po3, we have. . . Steven Isserlis, this time playing the Elgar.

Perhaps it's World Cello Week and no one has told me, or perhaps it's Steven's birthday? The scheduling does seem to follow the London Bus principle!

[subcontrabass]

This seems to be a developing tendency. On February 15th the last item in Composer of the Week was Balakirev's Overture on three Russian Themes . This appeared again as the first item in Afternoon on 3, so the same work was broadcast twice within two hours.

[Ferretfancy]

Breakfast has started a new one. Charlie Higson was interviewed in what is effectively a Desert Island Discs slot, and chose Granville Bantock's Sappho Prelude. The following day part of the chat was repeated, and the Bantock played again. Is this the new economy?

[Suffolkcoastal]

It also appears that RVW's Tallis Fantasia which was also one of the Higson choices, appeared again on Breakfast this morning in the same recording, as well as being in the concert of Tuesday night! This sort of lazy programming is utterly beyond belief, what the hell is R3 playing at?

[french frank]

Breakfast has started a new one. Charlie Higson was interviewed in what is effectively a Desert Island Discs slot, and chose Granville Bantock's Sappho Prelude. The following day part of the chat was repeated, and the Bantock played again. Is this the new economy?

I saw that and assumed it was a mistake on the playlist

[PaulT]

Its all down to the Fat Controller, the same Controller that programmes all five Beethoven piano concertos played by one pianist, all Tchaikovsky's piano concertos, all Rachmaninov's symphonies..... in a Proms season. Its very easy to do, takes little thought, spends minimum time on the job and earns a fat salary.

[Eudaimonia]

PaulT: Did it all by himself, did he?
So you think he sent around a memo like this, huh...

Dear All

Play the same Shostakovich cello concerto two days in a row. In fact the more cello stuff
you can pack into this week the better. dont ask why "because i said so" thats why. Just do it

Regards
ROGER.

[Suffolkcoastal]

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he actually did

This repeating of Monday's 'guests' selection seems to be becoming regular, the Arnold from Monday is being repeated this morning, how long before we get all of Breakfast recycled daily at a later time???

[Panjandrum]

Dear All

Play the same Shostakovich cello concerto two days in a row. In fact the more cello stuff
you can pack into this week the better. dont ask why "because i said so" thats why. Just do it

Regards
ROGER.

Maybe it's Roger's idea of an April Fool's joke. Seriously, if he didn't send the memo then it sounds like he's losing his grip; and that the troops are becoming a disorganised rabble.