The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[french frank]

In this particular slot I am reasonably certain they get in touch because they want to suggest a piece of music that follows the starter

I thought I was making it clear that I wasn't questioning the reasons why listeners contacted the programme. I was lamenting/criticising/expressing disappointment with the BBC's reasons for soliciting them. Do they really feel audience figures would slump if this practice were dropped?

Now, I have no objection for channels to exist for listeners to make musical suggestions, perhaps giving their reasons, to the producers; and for those suggestions to be considered and where possible worked into a coherent programme of music. The subsequent explanation of context of the particular piece seems to have more genuine interest than the mention that some named or unnamed listener requested it. 'And we have to thank Mr B. Britten of Aldeburgh for his suggestion of a setting of 'Down by the Salley Gardens'. Thank you Mr Britten. Before that, you heard JS Bach's Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott, and now we follow it with Bosom Buddies from the musical Mame.'

[vinteuil]

.

... Hannah French isn't too bad, but the interns who do the website are still pretty rubbish. This morning we had -

Felix Mendelssohn
Song without Words, Op 30 No 6
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach. Performer: Murray Perahia. Music Arranger: Ferruccio Busoni.

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[LMcD]

.

... Hannah French isn't too bad, but the interns who do the website are still pretty rubbish. This morning we had -

Felix Mendelssohn
Song without Words, Op 30 No 6
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach. Performer: Murray Perahia. Music Arranger: Ferruccio Busoni.

.

The Bach was played immediately after the Mendelssohn without a break, but that's no excuse.
I would rate Hannah French somewhat higher than 'not too bad'.

[vinteuil]

.

... yes, you're right - churlish of me.

But at the least Hannah French could have provided the info on the Bach after the recording - rather than just saying that that was a Mendelssohn Song without Words

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[kernelbogey]

I would rate Hannah French somewhat higher than 'not too bad'.

I think she's an accomplished broadcaster, whom I greatly admire. I just wonder if she is more secure with a script (as in EMS, for example) than the Breakfast context where spontaneity and improvisation are called for - skills Petroc (for example) has honed over many years.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I thought I was making it clear that I wasn't questioning the reasons why listeners contacted the programme. I was lamenting/criticising/expressing disappointment with the BBC's reasons for soliciting them. Do they really feel audience figures would slump if this practice were dropped?

Now, I have no objection for channels to exist for listeners to make musical suggestions, perhaps giving their reasons, to the producers; and for those suggestions to be considered and where possible worked into a coherent programme of music. The subsequent explanation of context of the particular piece seems to have more genuine interest than the mention that some named or unnamed listener requested it. 'And we have to thank Mr B. Britten of Aldeburgh for his suggestion of a setting of 'Down by the Salley Gardens'. Thank you Mr Britten. Before that, you heard JS Bach's Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott, and now we follow it with Bosom Buddies from the musical Mame.'

If all fails you have a career in prospect as a radio writer - your intro is only marginally less coherent than many I’ve heard and a good deal funnier. My all time fave (from Radio one )” 2005 - the year the Pope died and Elton John gave us this...”

[oddoneout]

In this particular slot I am reasonably certain they get in touch because they want to suggest a piece of music that follows the starter and in their, probably very, very humble, opinion deserves to be heard.
I have no problem with that and have heard some, IMVVHO, fine music that is new to me.
You, and I don’t doubt, many other listeners have a problem with this ….. but in 24 hours broadcasting is there not space to pitch both tents …. ????

You would have hoped so, but evidently tents have to be the right sort, and ours aren't...

[french frank]

If all fails you have a career in prospect as a radio writer - your intro is only marginally less coherent than many I’ve heard and a good deal funnier. My all time fave (from Radio one )” 2005 - the year the Pope died and Elton John gave us this...”

Pearls before swine, dear chap. Pearls before swine

[willietell]

How good it is to hear Martin Handley back in the Breakfast seat this morning! R3 Saturday mornings between 7 and 9 have been a no-go area for me for a long time so this is a real pleasure. Shame though that Martin had to follow Ms. Alker's script with "croissant corner" and French chansons - he clearly felt uncomfortable with it. As we're approaching 8 o'clock as I write, I'm bracing myself for a few minutes of 'Unclassified'. But that's a small price to pay - the rest of the programme is enhanced by Martin's warm and friendly introductions to the music. A real treat!

[LMcD]

How good it is to hear Martin Handley back in the Breakfast seat this morning! R3 Saturday mornings between 7 and 9 have been a no-go area for me for a long time so this is a real pleasure. Shame though that Martin had to follow Ms. Alker's script with "croissant corner" and French chansons - he clearly felt uncomfortable with it. As we're approaching 8 o'clock as I write, I'm bracing myself for a few minutes of 'Unclassified'. But that's a small price to pay - the rest of the programme is enhanced by Martin's warm and friendly introductions to the music. A real treat!

I fear this may be only a fleeting treat .....

[muzzer]

Was it trailed he would be on today? I’ve given up on Saturday breakfast what with tearworker etc. “Croissant corner” hardly militates against the sense EA is a comedy northerner. Is she some sort of metaphysical joke I’m not getting?

[LMcD]

Was it trailed he would be on today? I’ve given up on Saturday breakfast what with tearworker etc. “Croissant corner” hardly militates against the sense EA is a comedy northerner. Is she some sort of metaphysical joke I’m not getting?

I think Hannah mentioned it on Friday - only for me to go and forget to retune after Tony Blackburn.

[antongould]

Was it trailed he would be on today? I’ve given up on Saturday breakfast what with tearworker etc. “Croissant corner” hardly militates against the sense EA is a comedy northerner. Is she some sort of metaphysical joke I’m not getting?

See #9651 above/below …….

[oddoneout]

See #9651 above/below …….

The photo confused 'em.

[kernelbogey]

Fans of Ms Alker can see her interviewing David Pickard on the Proms Website.