New Generation Artists 20th Anniversary - Saturday, 1st February, 2020

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The entire day's schedules have been dedicated to celebrating the Beeb's three-year sponsorship of performing artists beginning their professional careers, a scheme which began in 2000 at the initiative of Adam Gatehouse, who was R3's Editor of Live Music at the time. Just looking at the list of names from that first batch of performers makes clear the success of the initiaive: Paul Lewis, Stephen Osborne, Lisa Batiashvili, Natalie Clein, the Belcea 4tet, to name but five:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_3_New_Generation_Artists_scheme#1999-2001

More recent names who have featured in the scheme (I don't like that word, but I'm getting fed up of "initiative", and "programme" might be a little ambiguous in this context) include Fatima Said, Ingrid Filter, Beatrice Rana, Igor Levit, and Janine Jansen), all of whom are featured in the day's programmes. Jazz performers were included from 2006, and they, too, are represented in next Saturday's day-long celebrations - there's a half-hour "Tea-Time Jazz" broadcast at ten-to-four.

It is a wonderful scheme, and the day is full of very enticing programmes:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl8t/2020/02/01

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... BUT ...

Looking at the names of composers included in the listings (and with the caveat that these refer to works "included" in each programme, so others may be involved) NONE of them are alive (the most recent work is a String Quartet from 2010 by Jouni Kaipainen, who died in 2015 - and which was commissioned, to their very great credit, by Meta4, the ensemble featured - the next most recent work is Britten's 3rd Quartet from 1975). Nor is any Music mentioned from any composer earlier than JS Bach. This strikes me as suggesting something of a lack of vision on the part of those whose responsibility it is to select which individuals and ensembles will be featured in the scheme ... and makes me wonder:

If the repertoire is going to be based on that which is the mainstay of Classic FM, why is the Beeb sponsoring it?

[Serial_Apologist]

... BUT ...

Looking at the names of composers included in the listings (and with the caveat that these refer to works "included" in each programme, so others may be involved) NONE of them are alive (the most recent work is a String Quartet from 2010 by Jouni Kaipainen, who died in 2015 - and which was commissioned, to their very great credit, by Meta4, the ensemble featured - the next most recent work is Britten's 3rd Quartet from 1975). Nor is any Music mentioned from any composer earlier than JS Bach. This strikes me as suggesting something of a lack of vision on the part of those whose responsibility it is to select which individuals and ensembles will be featured in the scheme ... and makes me wonder:

If the repertoire is going to be based on that which is the mainstay of Classic FM, why is the Beeb sponsoring it?

Or the music these young talented artists are asked to perform.

But how generous of them to offer all of half an hour to their jazz sponsorees - how jolly, jolly generous! But I suppose we have to be grateful for small mercies - after all they will be performing their own compositions!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But how generous of them to offer all of half an hour to their jazz sponsorees - how jolly, jolly generous! But I suppose we have to be grateful for small mercies - after all they will be performing their own compositions!

Thought that that'd amuse you (Still half-an-hour more than is given to New Music of the H&N/NMS-type. Or to anything by Monteverdi, Machaut, Hildegard ... or any of their contemporaries.)

[Serial_Apologist]

Thought that that'd amuse you (Still half-an-hour more than is given to New Music of the H&N/NMS-type. Or to anything by Monteverdi, Machaut, Hildegard ... or any of their contemporaries.)

Indeed - it helps boost the BBC's promulgation of museum music of a certain epochal range - the one we were raised on back in the 1950s. But I'd better shut up now!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes - I mean, there will be some fantastic Musicians featured next week, and I've no doubt there'll be plenty of jaw-droppingly good performances throughout the day.

But it does give the impression to people who don't attend Cafe Oto or HCMF gigs that there aren't any astonishingly good Musicians in their 20s who have devoted themselves to "proper" New Music - that is, what might be called the "avant garde" tradition (or "cutting edge" Music, to use terminology that the Beeb likes to use .... though most often to describe some very blunt stuff). London-based Explore Ensemble, or Manchester's distractfold give astonishingly good, vigorous and vivacious performances of Music of this type - either/both are more than deserving of the exposure (and income) that the NGA scheme offers. And I'm sure that there are soloists and ensembles devoted to performing Music from before 1600 for whom the same could be said. Sad that the excellent record of the scheme is so stained by such omissions, I think.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The anniversary is celebrated over the whole week - this evening has a "pick'n'Mix"-type programme (two Concertos along with a String Quartet, and "exceprts" from a Piano work) of the sort that R3 seems to favour these days. Includes a rare performance of the Strauss Violin Concerto, played by Alina Ibragomova with the BRSO conducted by Vladimir Jurowski:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000drdv

[ardcarp]

I was very impressed with NGA mezzo Kathryn Rudge singing Elgar's 2 orchestral songs, Op. 60 on Sunday Morning. I wasn't aware of these songs...maybe not having the same appeal as Sea Pictures. I was amused by the [inappropriate?] loud bass trombone note somewhere in the mix.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000drdg

Two songs begin approx. 2hr 7min from start.

[kernelbogey]

The Lunchtime Concerts this week and Afternoon Concerts are also all devoted to performances by NGA artists.

[gradus]

Ingrid Fliter is a pianist whose playing I enjoyed so I particularly look forward to her contribution, ditto Cedric Thibergien.

[LMcD]

We had the good fortune to see the Jerusalem Quartet at the Wigmore Hall last week - I believe they were among the first group of New Generation Artists.