John Toal's introductions to the Ulster Orchestra concert (29 Jan)

[Master Jacques]

This excellent concert, featuring Ruby Hughes and the Ulster Orchestra in fine form under Tuomas Hannikainen, has (for this dyspeptic listener at least) been well-nigh scuppered by John Toal's jokey, inane and low-pitched introductions to the pieces on offer. His mini-interviews with Hughes and the conductor were very poor too.

Not one piece has escaped without comparison to some musical or other -- even Britten's French Songs ("to texts by French poets including two by Victor Hugo, very much the man of the moment with the 'Les Mis.' film coming out").

His rushed summary of the plot of 'The Tempest' (why?) told us that it's a play by Shakespeare, one of the 50 most inspiring people for music, including - you guessed it - 'West Side Story'.

Does this man believe that audiences are there on sufferance? That they have the communal brain the size of a frozen pea? And that have to be cajoled into giving Grieg, Sibelius, Britten and Berlioz a chance by helping them "relate" to such old-fashioned stuff by mentioning musicals they *really* like and know.

I don't know who his employers are, but this isn't the first time Mr Toal has committed such inanities on R3. He is really a serious embarrassment. I suggest R3 find someone better at the job to do the Belfast honours in future.

[vinteuil]

... I suspect John Toal is preparing hisself to take over as the next Sean Fafferty...

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

... I suspect John Toal is preparing hisself to take over as the next Sean Fafferty...

my thoughts exactly vinteuil ... fools rarely differ eh but this Toal fella had me outa there fast and am now listening to the Chick Corea Trio on JLU on iPlayer

[Barbirollians]

This excellent concert, featuring Ruby Hughes and the Ulster Orchestra in fine form under Tuomas Hannikainen, has (for this dyspeptic listener at least) been well-nigh scuppered by John Toal's jokey, inane and low-pitched introductions to the pieces on offer. His mini-interviews with Hughes and the conductor were very poor too.

Not one piece has escaped without comparison to some musical or other -- even Britten's French Songs ("to texts by French poets including two by Victor Hugo, very much the man of the moment with the 'Les Mis.' film coming out").

His rushed summary of the plot of 'The Tempest' (why?) told us that it's a play by Shakespeare, one of the 50 most inspiring people for music, including - you guessed it - 'West Side Story'.

Does this man believe that audiences are there on sufferance? That they have the communal brain the size of a frozen pea? And that have to be cajoled into giving Grieg, Sibelius, Britten and Berlioz a chance by helping them "relate" to such old-fashioned stuff by mentioning musicals they *really* like and know.

I don't know who his employers are, but this isn't the first time Mr Toal has committed such inanities on R3. He is really a serious embarrassment. I suggest R3 find someone better at the job to do the Belfast honours in future.

OT I know but is this hannikainen related to the chap who conducted the music at sibelius's funeral and made a few symphony recordings ?

[Mary Chambers]

This excellent concert, featuring Ruby Hughes and the Ulster Orchestra in fine form under Tuomas Hannikainen, has (for this dyspeptic listener at least) been well-nigh scuppered by John Toal's jokey, inane and low-pitched introductions to the pieces on offer. His mini-interviews with Hughes and the conductor were very poor too.

Thank you for bringing this up. I've been unaware of John Toal until now, but I listened to him with near disbelief. The tone and content were utterly wrong for the occasion. It was truly embarrassing.

[Flosshilde]

... I suspect John Toal is preparing hisself to take over as the next Sean Fafferty...

No comparison - Sean treats 'serious' music seriously. His manner when introducing concerts is rather different to his manner on 'In Tune'; & even there he wouldn't be so crass.