Radio 3 Unwind starts on the 4th of November

[Pulcinella]

More praise for R3 in today's Times letter:


Praise for Radio 3

Sir, I cannot agree with the criticism of Radio 3 on your letters page (Jan 25). There is no conceivable yardstick to define what “classical” music may be, or to distinguish the “good” from the “bad”. Each to his or her own. As great a musician as Hector Berlioz, in his memoirs, described the music of Palestrina as nothing but some pleasant chords interspersed with suspensions. The Third Programme first broadcast nearly 80 years ago, with the admirably Reithian injunction to “inform, educate and entertain”. Eighty years before that, Elgar was a young piano teacher and the works of Stravinsky and Gershwin — and the whole jazz era — were still in the future. Tout change, tout passe. With its varied programming and adaptation to constant change — and, dare I say, in its more “approachable” presentation — Radio 3 is carrying on Lord Reith's legacy.
David Boorer
Llandovery, Carmarthenshire

[LMcD]

Being in the garden with sun and birdsong worked pretty well - and no data center demand involved!

Were you inspired to compose an ecstatic poem?

[oddoneout]

If you'd turned YLE on again around 12.00 you'd have heard Quilter's Where the Rainbow Ends, a perfect antidote to Scriabin-jangled nerves!

Being in the garden with sun and birdsong worked pretty well - and no data center demand involved!

[LMcD]

It would be uncharitable to think so wouldn't it?

It would indeed!

[hmvman]

I've turned it off for now - overdose of Scriabin has got me all jangled. Now, what's that BBC thing they reckon can help with that...

If you'd turned YLE on again around 12.00 you'd have heard Quilter's Where the Rainbow Ends, a perfect antidote to Scriabin-jangled nerves!

[Serial_Apologist]

It would be uncharitable to think so wouldn't it?

Are people here referring to the second one, from Australia???

[Roslynmuse]

I seem to recall there was a similar letter in Radio Times a month or two back. I wonder if a couple of sheets of BBC notepaper have gone missing?

[oddoneout]

I think it's jolly decent of The Times to publish such a positively heart-warming and obviously sincere letter, which I hope nobody will suspect of being a spoof.

It would be uncharitable to think so wouldn't it?

[LMcD]

I must confess I am somewhat surprised by this. If the letterwriter has been listening for that length of time do the changes not register in terms of content and quality? I was "listening" to music from the time I was born, and consciously so for more than 60 years now, and even if I was still reasonably happy with R3 I don't think I could claim that the current benefits of that listening are in the same class as years ago.

I think it's jolly decent of The Times to publish such a positively heart-warming and obviously sincere letter, which I hope nobody will suspect of being a spoof.

[oddoneout]

The Times correspondence continues:

Sir, As a regular listener to Radio 3 for almost 60 years, I feel obliged to take issue with those criticising it on your pages (letters, Jan 22 & 24). For me it is a jewel in the crown of British culture. Its presenters are articulate and knowledgeable and over the years it has educated me and inspired me to listen to genres that I would never have encountered otherwise. For those who wish to listen to “classical” music only, there are plenty of other outlets. Please let Radio 3 continue to lead me along the path of discovery and delight.

I must confess I am somewhat surprised by this. If the letterwriter has been listening for that length of time do the changes not register in terms of content and quality? I was "listening" to music from the time I was born, and consciously so for more than 60 years now, and even if I was still reasonably happy with R3 I don't think I could claim that the current benefits of that listening are in the same class as years ago.

[oddoneout]

Which reminds me - it's time to tune into yle Klassinen!

I've turned it off for now - overdose of Scriabin has got me all jangled. Now, what's that BBC thing they reckon can help with that...

[LMcD]

I rather like Unwind, but I’m sorry to say I do not want Dr Sian telling me how therapeutic music is, like a guru on the mountain doing morning tai chi (excuse the failed analogy). It’s no better than the perma chant on Classic FM telling you breathlessly how brilliant is the music you are listening to. Nor the new Breakfast presenter this morning who I will not name but is cut from the same cloth.

I find in our current constant crisis era that the less verbal coddling I get, the better. It is the music that makes the difference to me. It does not need to be mediated thru some imbecile. Thank you R3 Friends, for continuing to provide a forum for discussion in these dark times.

Which reminds me - it's time to tune into yle Klassinen!

[muzzer]

I rather like Unwind, but I’m sorry to say I do not want Dr Sian telling me how therapeutic music is, like a guru on the mountain doing morning tai chi (excuse the failed analogy). It’s no better than the perma chant on Classic FM telling you breathlessly how brilliant is the music you are listening to. Nor the new Breakfast presenter this morning who I will not name but is cut from the same cloth.

I find in our current constant crisis era that the less verbal coddling I get, the better. It is the music that makes the difference to me. It does not need to be mediated thru some imbecile. Thank you R3 Friends, for continuing to provide a forum for discussion in these dark times.

[Pulcinella]

The Times correspondence continues:

Radio revolt

Sir, As a regular listener to Radio 3 for almost 60 years, I feel obliged to take issue with those criticising it on your pages (letters, Jan 22 & 24). For me it is a jewel in the crown of British culture. Its presenters are articulate and knowledgeable and over the years it has educated me and inspired me to listen to genres that I would never have encountered otherwise. For those who wish to listen to “classical” music only, there are plenty of other outlets. Please let Radio 3 continue to lead me along the path of discovery and delight.
Peter Hunt
Worksop, Notts

Sir, The solution to a dumbed-down Radio 3 is to tune in to the previous day's six-hour-long Through the Night show on BBC Sounds. I listen to this wonderful programme here every day.
Michael Scott
Woody Point, Queensland

[Serial_Apologist]

Because the R3 we have now is not the R3 that can justify excluding such repertoire?

Brilliant!