Presenters/News readers

[doversoul1]

Not sure if this is the right place but I’ve noticed that this week’s Saturday lunchtime Concert was presented by David Cornett, one of the regular news readers on R3.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b042bdd2

Come to think of it, the first programme of the series was presented by Jill Anderson, another news reader. Both are obviously perfectly capable of ‘sight reading’ any script but not presenters of music related programmes. David Cornett sounded very awkward.

This is a reverse situation of the point made on the Eternal Breakfast Debate by muzzer #3626 (and others).yesterday.

Is Radio3 short of presenters / newsreaders? Or doesn’t it care how its programmes sound to the listeners? What’s going on?

[Stanfordian]

Not sure if this is the right place but I’ve noticed that this week’s Saturday lunchtime Concert was presented by David Cornett, one of the regular news readers on R3.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b042bdd2

Come to think of it, the first programme of the series was presented by Jill Anderson, another news reader. Both are obviously perfectly capable of ‘sight reading’ any script but not presenters of music related programmes. David Cornett sounded very awkward.

This is a reverse situation of the point made on the Eternal Breakfast Debate by muzzer #3626 (and others).yesterday.

Is Radio3 short of presenters / newsreaders? Or doesn’t it care how its programmes sound to the listeners? What’s going on?

It's not new. Classic FM promoted Bob Jones from newsreader to presenter. It could be worse for Radio 3, it could be another celebrity brought in like Aled Jones, Katie Derham, or on Classic FM celebs like Laurence Roderick Llewelyn-Bowen, Alan Titchmarsh, Alex James, Nicholas Owen and John Suchet et al.

[MrGongGong]

Alex James

Alex James is a musician ? Ok he's not Jaco Pastorius and probably makes more cheese than riffs these days

[doversoul1]

It's not new. Classic FM promoted Bob Jones from newsreader to presenter. It could be worse for Radio 3, it could be another celebrity brought in like Aled Jones, Katie Derham, or on Classic FM celebs like Laurence Roderick Llewelyn-Bowen, Alan Titchmarsh, Alex James, Nicholas Owen and John Suchet et al.

I think in the case of KD et al is a marketing strategy but this is just a filling in without any thoughts or care (yes, I know it is after all only early music ).

[Honoured Guest]

David Cornett and Jill Anderson are announcer-newsreaders, aren't they? As #1 says, they read scripts. The Saturday Lunchtime Concert is currently trialing broadcasting EBU-recorded music in this daytime slot. This doesn't need a presenter, just an announcer reading brief scripted introductions. This is what many Forum posters say that they prefer. As budget cuts continue, I'd expect more and more daytime slots to revert to this old-style format.

[teamsaint]

Although of course, there are plenty of people around who know a good deal about music, who are quite capable of broadcasting effectively, and who would charge very moderate fees.

I suspect that subject expertise worries BBC management, though.

[MrGongGong]

Richard Baker (the other one ) was, as I recall, "just" a newsreader. But I bet many folks have huge affection for his classical music presenting? (a bit Radio Mogadon for my tastes !).

I'm capable of orchestrating a piano piece but don't let me make a souffle ?

Some people are good communicators
Some are good actors
Some are good at reading something and making it come to life

BUT being good at one thing doesn't mean you can't do others !

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm capable of orchestrating a piano piece but don't let me make a souffle ? ...

…….BUT being good at one thing doesn't mean you can't do others !

Good points, and Prime Ministers of all parties should consider them when allocating Cabinet posts.

[cloughie]

David Cornett and Jill Anderson are announcer-newsreaders, aren't they? As #1 says, they read scripts. The Saturday Lunchtime Concert is currently trialing broadcasting EBU-recorded music in this daytime slot. This doesn't need a presenter, just an announcer reading brief scripted introductions. This is what many Forum posters say that they prefer. As budget cuts continue, I'd expect more and more daytime slots to revert to this old-style format.

It would be nice to see all the daytime slots reverted to the old style format with full length pieces - I'll vote for Catriona Young and Jill Anderson doing the 6.30am to 9.00am slot a month about!

[Hornspieler]

Richard Baker (the other one ) was, as I recall, "just" a newsreader. But I bet many folks have huge affection for his classical music presenting? (a bit Radio Mogadon for my tastes !).

I'm capable of orchestrating a piano piece but don't let me make a souffle ?

Some people are good communicators
Some are good actors
Some are good at reading something and making it come to life

BUT being good at one thing doesn't mean you can't do others !

I HATED that programme - especially Joyce Grenfell showing off and Joseph Cooper's silent (thank God) piano.

Steve Race's "My Music" with panelists Frank Muir, Denis Norden, Ian Wallace and John Amis showed how it should be done - on Radio 4 and later on television; to both entertain and inform the viewing public.

HS (Still around, but off on my hols soon)

[MrGongGong]

Good points, and Prime Ministers of all parties should consider them when allocating Cabinet posts.

I haven't a clue what you mean ?

I HATED that programme - especially Joyce Grenfell showing off and Joseph Cooper's silent (thank God) piano.

My memories of it are similar (a bit before my time though )

I'd go for John rather than Ian any day

[DracoM]

It's always worth listening to Jill Anderson, because her 'f''s are so fruity, particularly if they are the first letter in a word.

[HARRIET HAVARD]

It's not new. Classic FM promoted Bob Jones from newsreader to presenter. It could be worse for Radio 3, it could be another celebrity brought in like Aled Jones, Katie Derham, or on Classic FM celebs like Laurence Roderick Llewelyn-Bowen, Alan Titchmarsh, Alex James, Nicholas Owen and John Suchet et al.

Let us hope no one at the BEEB reads your comments. We don't want them getting ideas, do we. The wretched station is already far enough down the drain.

[amateur51]

I HATED that programme - especially Joyce Grenfell showing off and Joseph Cooper's silent (thank God) piano.

Steve Race's "My Music" with panelists Frank Muir, Denis Norden, Ian Wallace and John Amis showed how it should be done - on Radio 4 and later on television; to both entertain and inform the viewing public.

HS (Still around, but off on my hols soon)

Taste is a funny things, isn't it? I never minded Joyce Grenfell's glee at getting the answer right, especially if she was pipping Robin Ray/Bernard Levin to the post.

But Steve Race used to give John Amis such a hard time when he was showing off - I often wondered if Race tended to bowl 'under arm' to Amis sometimes - but Race rarely allowed time for congratulations.

[Don Petter]

Steve Race's "My Music" with panelists Frank Muir, Denis Norden, Ian Wallace and John Amis showed how it should be done - on Radio 4 and later on television; to both entertain and inform the viewing public.

Tastes can vary! My Music was essential listening for me, as a devotee of Muir and Norden, but I really couldn't stand the other three - all too smug and full of themselves.