Elvis?????!!!!!

[Guest]

The latest nadir in Radio 3's de-culturalisation? Elvis Presley on Essential Classics this morning. The classical piece in question is NOT a classical piece but a Neapolitan song.
Elvis was there to show Radio 3(and RC in particular)is "hip". Then RC follows it with one of his hilarious over-pronunciations of "The LAAAAACCCCHHHHHHTTTTEEEEE Symphony Orchestra".
I could feel the phlegm coming through my speakers.

[french frank]

Why are you listening to this programme? O sole mio sung by Pavarotti (on playlist now - was that the one?) probably better than Elvis singing Muss i denn.

[Victor Meldrew II]

Eh?

Why are you listening to this programme? O sole mio sung by Pavarotti (on playlist now - was that the one?) probably better than Elvis singing Muss i denn.

Why on earth SHOULDN'T I listen to this programme? My radio is always on as I work. I just hope that one day I won't have to complain about the content(and RC).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Why on earth SHOULDN'T I listen to this programme? My radio is always on as I work. I just hope that one day I won't have to complain about the content(and RC).

If the radio is on while you work, you are not really listening. Unfortunately this is what our "friends" at Radio 3 think too, and give us constant mush.

[french frank]

Why on earth SHOULDN'T I listen to this programme? My radio is always on as I work. I just hope that one day I won't have to complain about the content(and RC).

I didn't say you SHOULDN'T listen: I asked why you did.

But if the answer is that your 'radio is always on', that is what the BBC wants - they want as many people to be listening for as long as possible. It's how most people do listen, especially younger listeners who keep their earphones permanently plugged into their ears. More critical listeners are expected to listen more selectively to programmes which interest them. But they are quite free to listen to programmes they dislike if they wish.

Essential Classics was never intended for 'serious', critical listening (that's mainly why it's not very good): it was devised especially to persuade Radio 2, Radio 4 and Classic FM listeners to come over for something that wasn't too taxing which they could listen to while they were doing other things. That's the reason why it's as it is and also why you seldom appear to like it.