River of Music: 12 hrs Non-stop Music: Sunday 30 October

[kernelbogey]

'Expertly curated' and 'non-stop river - both tautologies....

[doversoul1]

... an unending stream of music, without announcements, isn't that exactly what many people have asked for (though not me)?

I think what many people have asked for is music with the basic/minimum information (i.e. the name of the work, the composer or maybe the year of the composition, and the performer), but not an uninterrupted stream of music.

vinteuil

"The hosts are Essential Classics' Sarah Walker and Rob Cowan, who throughout the day provide an entirely online commentary on the pieces that make up the River of Music. "

So Radio3 is officially abandoning as its listeners, those who do not have the means or do not chose to be on online while listening to music? And are we expected to listen to the hosts’ comments while listening to the music? Seriously?

Ah well, if that’s the case, I shall sit away from the river and listen to my own CDs and my own thoughts or listen to/watch youtube of my own choice. That way, I can listen to the music without having to be dictated by the computer. Do we not just listen to music any more?

[french frank]

So Radio3 is officially abandoning as its listeners, those who do not have the means or do not chose to be on online while listening to music? And are we expected to listen to the hosts’ comments while listening to the music? Seriously? … Do we not just listen to music any more?

Listeners can choose to 'just listen to music', if they want to. They aren't forced to listen online, watch the pictures, participate in the blog chat, text &c. As I understand it, for the radio listeners it will be 'Words and Music' without the Words.

[doversoul1]

Listeners can choose to 'just listen to music', if they want to. They aren't forced to listen online, watch the pictures, participate in the blog chat, text &c. As I understand it, for the radio listeners it will be 'Words and Music' without the Words.

Ah, but if you have no or convenient online access, you cannot listen to the commentaries that you know are provided, or if you prefer to listen to the radio without having to be connected to the computer, you have no choice but to miss out part of the programme

If Words and Music decided to put on the words online while the radio plays the music non-stop, what would the listeners think?

[MrGongGong]

'Expertly curated' and 'non-stop river - both tautologies....

I guess you haven't been to the Aral Sea then ?

[french frank]

If Words and Music decided to put on the words online while the radio plays the music non-stop, what would the listeners think?

Different, because the words in that case aren't about the music and don't elucidate it. Just one of those things. When people didn't want 12 hours of world music on one of their days off, they did something else.

What does it boil down to in the end? Does the fact that broadcasting one programme, and in a particular way, that won't suit everyone mean that it shouldn't be done at all? Cabaret on BaL?

[MrGongGong]

What on earth is wrong with you people? (some of you)

Some of you bang on and on about how much you hate anyone saying anything on the Radio and demand that R3 presenters should just shut up
then R3 has an idea of a long sequence without anyone speaking
so you all start complaining about that as well

If you don't like the radio just choose your own effing music

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Some of you bang on and on about how much you hate anyone saying anything on the Radio and demand that R3 presenters should just shut up
then R3 has an idea of a long sequence without anyone speaking
so you all start complaining about that as well

There's a happy medium to be found here. Title of music and composer, without gushing or inside chat with presenter mates.

And definitely no gasping.

[EdgeleyRob]

I think what many people have asked for is music with the basic/minimum information (i.e. the name of the work, the composer or maybe the year of the composition, and the performer), but not an uninterrupted stream

Hi ds

For me basic information would be ideal but an uninterrupted stream (I see what you did there ) of music would be the next best thing,as long as there was at least a playlist online.

[doversoul1]

Different, because the words in that case aren't about the music and don't elucidate it. Just one of those things. When people didn't want 12 hours of world music on one of their days off, they did something else.

What does it boil down to in the end? Does the fact that broadcasting one programme, and in a particular way, that won't suit everyone mean that it shouldn't be done at all? Cabaret on BaL?

What boils down to is that the BBC takes it for granted that everybody has access to the media on which part of the programme will be presented.

Let’s hope the playlist will be published in advance or those who have no access to the online information* will be left with a stream of music which may mean little more than background music in a shopping centre.

*or can’t conveniently be online while listening to the radio

(I don't think I have any more to say in this matter)

[french frank]

Something else occurs to me: when there was a Between the Ears programme which consisted of reading extracts from Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia - in Latin, I asked if it would be possible to have the text of the chosen extracts online - and they were indeed put on the website. I followed the text while listening, but it occurred to me afterwards that, since it was an edition of Between the Ears, the idea might have been that one simply absorbed the sound of the text, which was accompanied by various appropriate sound effects. And that was the point of doing it in Latin - that people wouldn't understand it - otherwise why not read the extracts in English?

(I don't think I have any more to say in this matter)

Which means you provided your own answer to my question, but didn't answer the questions I posed:

"Does the fact that broadcasting one programme, and in a particular way, that won't suit everyone mean that it shouldn't be done at all? Cabaret on BaL?" Or does having criticisms/misgivings mean it shouldn't be done?

What boils down to is that the BBC takes it for granted that everybody has access to the media on which part of the programme will be presented.

Let’s hope the playlist will be published in advance or those who have no access to the online information* will be left with a stream of music which may mean little more than background music in a shopping centre.

*or can’t conveniently be online while listening to the radio

(I don't think I have any more to say in this matter)

[ahinton]

Does anyone give a dam?

Sluice without one. No need to ask Wye, as long as it's not all broadcast in Monnow.

Also, if any composer anniversaries are to be marked within it then there'd need to be something appropriately tributary.

Perhaps it could open with Au bord d'une source from Book 1 of Liszt's Années de Pèlerinage - and a certain cycle by Dillon surely deserves a look in...

[hafod]

And, btw, if "This brand new way of presenting a music programme on BBC Radio 3 sees images, videos, social media posts and live blog updates posted throughout the day. Listeners can get involved by following the liveblog on bbc.co.uk/radio3, engaging with Radio 3 on Facebook and Twitter and contacting Rob and Sarah by text and email" takes all listener interaction OFF AIR, that will be an improvement.

The only interaction/involvement necessary for listeners to radio is...er....to listen. The rest is gimmick.

[doversoul1]

Something else occurs to me: when there was a Between the Ears programme which consisted of reading extracts from Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia - in Latin, I asked if it would be possible to have the text of the chosen extracts online - and they were indeed put on the website. I followed the text while listening, but it occurred to me afterwards that, since it was an edition of Between the Ears, the idea might have been that one simply absorbed the sound of the text, which was accompanied by various appropriate sound effects. And that was the point of doing it in Latin - that people wouldn't understand it - otherwise why not read the extracts in English?

Which means you provided your own answer to my question, but didn't answer the questions I posed:

"Does the fact that broadcasting one programme, and in a particular way, that won't suit everyone mean that it shouldn't be done at all? Cabaret on BaL?" Or does having criticisms/misgivings mean it shouldn't be done?

To me, this is not the question of the contents or the format of a programme but it is a question of the method of delivering a radio programme. It is rather like the National Gallery displaying only paintings and telling the visitors that all the information about the paintings are on the Gallery’s website which can be accessed from their mobile phones as they go along, and they can join the discussion too. If you don’t have a mobile phone, well sorry, tough. At least you can look at the paintings.

[french frank]

At least you can look at the paintings.

It will be a novel experience for some people, but that is the main purpose of visiting art galleries, so not all is lost.