BBC Music Day

[MrGongGong]

Something for everyone … meanwhile, on Radio 3 we have Radio 2 …

I think you are being a little disingenuous.

This just looks like a 'mixed' programme of things just like they used to do when the Wigmore Hall opened

Not my thing BUT all those folks who wax lyrical about Richard Baker etc should be happy
and there aint nothing wrong with Beefheart

[french frank]

I think you are being a little disingenuous.

I think 'sarcastic' was the word you wanted. I've no particular quarrel with what they put on BBC Four - as I said, it isn't tagged as 'BBC Music Day'. The point is that for Music Day Radio 3 gets the special treat of Radio 2.

No one else seems to be doing classical music - which could be the reason why it's regarded as 'elitist' by some people: it's stuck apart from the rest of music on its own, apart from the odd CFM contribution.

[gurnemanz]

And on BBC Music Day, BBC Four is also joining in, albeit not (apparently) with the 'Music Day' tag attached:

7.35pm-8: Sounds of the Eighties (UB40, Public Enemy, the Beat &c)
8-9: Gershwin's Summertime (story of the song)
9-10.30 The Old Grey Whistle Test (70s Gold - Elton John, David Bowie, Captain Beefheart)
10.30-11.30: I'm a Popstar
11.30-12.30am: Top of the Pops - 1980 Big Hits.

Something for everyone … meanwhile, on Radio 3 we have Radio 2 …

Looks like a fairly routine thrown-together BBC4 evening of archive footage and repeats of two more recent programmes: Gershwin and Popstar.

In some slightly desperate overhyping, they refer to "pop legends Lulu and Deacon Blue". Are Deacon Blue legendary? I've never heard of them. The Maida Vale concert "culminates in a premiere of part of a new work, Setting Sail (from The Voage) by Bob Chilcott." If this is a culmination, they might at least proof read their blurb.

[MrGongGong]

No one else seems to be doing classical music - which could be the reason why it's regarded as 'elitist' by some people: it's stuck apart from the rest of music on its own, apart from the odd CFM contribution.

Lets see what the next phase of the BBC "10 Pieces" thing does as that really does go for the "Classical Music" for everyone track.

The 'elitist' thing isn't going to go away because people like that narrative even when you tell them that you can get a seat at the ROH for £10 (AND BUY THEM ONE AS A PRESENT ) they will still maintain that it's too expensive and only for 'posh' people.

[french frank]

Lets see what the next phase of the BBC "10 Pieces" thing does as that really does go for the "Classical Music" for everyone track.

Discussing this on Facebook. Not quite sure whether they'll get away with the same format for teenagers as they did for younger children. But at least it's an attempt to elbow their way back in, having been largely forced out (as far as the majority of secondary school children are concerned). But there are problems in trying to appeal to older kids, especially when only a comparatively small number WILL be interested.

The 'elitist' thing isn't going to go away because people like that narrative even when you tell them that you can get a seat at the ROH for £10 (AND BUY THEM ONE AS A PRESENT ) they will still maintain that it's too expensive and only for 'posh' people.

My theory is that that 'narrative' is popular because it gives people an excuse not to bother. It 'justifies' ignoring the music.

[Zucchini]

Classical music is bad for your street cred (whatever your age)...

[doversoul1]

BBC Radio 3 and the BBC Performing Groups take part in BBC Music’s inaugural BBC Music Day with unique broadcasts and events across the United Kingdom on Friday 5 June. BBC Music Day aims to bring together generations and communities in a nationwide celebration of music. The day will feature live music events and performances involving both well-known musicians and local communities across the UK. BBC Music Day will be broadcast on BBC Radios 2, 3, 6 Music, Asian Network, BBC Local Radio, and at bbc.co.uk/musicday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2015/22/bbc-music-day

As far as I can gather from this summary, the aim of the event has nothing whatsoever to do with promoting classical music. Even in the schedule of the entire day, the word ‘classical’ appears only once;

BBC Music Day culminates in a live gala concert […] They perform music with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Richard Balcombe, from classical repertoire to film music, jazz to rock and folk music to Jaz Dhami.

The aim , if there really is one (what does a ‘nationwide celebration of music’, mean in practice?), would have been much more effectively achieved if each station had presented the programmes with the music they know best. Or is it that Radio 2 and other stations would have just laughed at this nonsense (you need to read through the link to believe it) but Alan Davey being still too new to stand up against the Director of Music, became an easy target? And/ Or is it because it is assumed (by whom?) that it will look more ‘high class’ event if it is on Radio 3?

Also, if the BBC is seriously concerned about what music can to communities, it could easily have a regular programme or two for that purpose on each station instead of having one day of fireworks at the expense of one station and forget about it the rest of the year.

WHAT IS THIS REALLY ABOUT / FOR?

Poor Radio3.

[StephenO]

Classical music is bad for your street cred (whatever your age)...

True. It's fine to enjoy Shakespeare or Dickens but dare to suggest you prefer Bach, Beethoven or Birtwistle to The X Factor and you're met with looks of incredulity. What is it with with reverse elitism where classical music is concerned?

[MrGongGong]

[I]
As far as I can gather from this summary, the aim of the event has nothing whatsoever to do with promoting classical music. Even in the schedule of the entire day, the word ‘classical’ appears only once;

I would argue that by NOT using the C word they are likely to get more people to listen to what folks call "Classical Music" than if they did.

http://www.classicalmusicisboring.com/archive/2011/06/cmib00181.html

[french frank]

I would argue that by NOT using the C word they are likely to get more people to listen to what folks call "Classical Music" than if they did.

I wouldn't care if they didn't use the WORD: it's not the word that matters. Just PLAY THE MUSIC?

How can they listen to 'the music' if it's replaced, even on Radio 3, by Friday Night Is Music Night!!!???

[MrGongGong]

I wouldn't care if they didn't use the WORD: it's not the word that matters. Just PLAY THE MUSIC?

How can they listen to 'the music' if it's replaced, even on Radio 3, by Friday Night Is Music Night!!!???

I think they are playing "the music" (but I bet none by Ligeti or Feldman :sad face:)

I'm sure 'classical music' can cope
the teenagers I was with at the ROH yesterday loved the Mahler

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Classical music is bad for your street cred (whatever your age)...

Let's hear it for "Avenue Cred".



(As in "avenue got anything better to broadcast?")

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Looks like a fairly routine thrown-together BBC4 evening of archive footage and repeats of two more recent programmes: Gershwin and Popstar.

In some slightly desperate overhyping, they refer to "pop legends Lulu and Deacon Blue". Are Deacon Blue legendary? I've never heard of them. The Maida Vale concert "culminates in a premiere of part of a new work, Setting Sail (from The Voage) by Bob Chilcott." If this is a culmination, they might at least proof read their blurb.

I've heard the Chilcott. "Culminates" is the wrong word.

[doversoul1]

I'm sure 'classical music' can cope
the teenagers I was with at the ROH yesterday loved the Mahler

What has all that got to do with this event? This is about the BBC’s policies on its radio stations.

[Honoured Guest]

By the way, where is Honoured Guest?

I still regularly read the Forum but all my submitted posts are moderated before being posted or not posted. It appears that my posts are censored if they diverge from Forum orthodoxy, and it seems maybe better to stop attempting to contribute to the Forum rather than to try to second guess which of my opinions will be passed for posting by the moderator of the moment.

On this topic of the inaugural BBC Music Day, some Forumistas seem unaware that the BBCSSO gala concert is just the climactic event and that it follows about twelve hours of Radio 3 programmes featuring live music, much of it classical, from throughout the UK. As well as special programming on other BBC stations. And, yes, BBC Music Day is a celebration of all genres of music, with a special focus on community participation.