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

[doversoul1]

So, tell me, how do you provide the information for a sequence of unannounced pieces without making announcements?
This is quite normal in other musical contexts

Can I remind you that I am talking about this particular programme that was broadcast as River of Music and not about any old sequence of music. In other words, for this discussion, you have to let go of your ideas about listening to music as simply a sound etc., etc., because this programme was, so it was publicised, carefully curated and each piece of music was played for reasons; the point of the programme was that we were supposed to know what we were listening to and why. If many people enjoyed this programme as an innocent ear experience or a novel way of listening to music, that's good but the experiment was a failure, as it did not fulfil its aim.

I’d say that the aim of this programme as it was publicised and non-stop sequence of music are essentially incompatible on a radio programme. If part of the programme (in this case, the information about the music) is to be provided off air, I hope those who are responsible will give more thoughts than they did this time to the group of listeners I described in my previous post. To think how to do it is what those who are responsible are paid for. Not me.

[MrGongGong]

Can I remind you that I am talking about this particular programme that was broadcast as River of Music and not about any old sequence of music. In other words, for this discussion, you have to let go of your ideas about listening to music as simply a sound etc., etc., because this programme was, so it was publicised, carefully curated and each piece of music was played for reasons; the point of the programme was that we were supposed to know what we were listening to and why. If many people enjoyed this programme as an innocent ear experience or a novel way of listening to music, that's good but the experiment was a failure, as it did not fulfil its aim.

I’d say that the aim of this programme as it was publicised and non-stop sequence of music are essentially incompatible on a radio programme. If part of the programme (in this case, the information about the music) is to be provided off air, I hope those who are responsible will give more thoughts than they did this time to the group of listeners I described in my previous post. To think how to do it is what those who are responsible are paid for. Not me.

I don't agree
Having now just read what it says about it online it is very clear

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.

Putting all the wordy stuff online seems a good idea IMV

and

much as I would like them to be mine, John Cage's ideas are his

[Frances_iom]

...
I do, however, (again ) wish that more of the "classical music audience" would think a bit about listening strategies in the way that those involved with electroacoustic and acousmatic music have had to.

what strategy should I employ to listen to a Bach cantata as say a Mozart piano concerto ? or do strategies only come with wind swept reed beds (tho such are useful as a natural filter for human effluent)

[doversoul1]

I don't agree
Having now just read what it says about it online it is very clear

An expertly curated sequence of 70 works represents Radio 3 in all its musical facets, reflecting the pioneering spirit that over the decades has championed music
[...]
Each of the pieces played during the day is connected to a particular year and a historical, political or cultural happening that had a musical resonance at the time

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b080xq5d

Not something that the listeners can work out by simply listening to the music.

[french frank]

Just a quick look through the comments made after the programme actually started, my very rough tally with a few guesses was that reactions were about 50:50, broadly pro or broadly con, among those who were commenting on what they heard. But more people very ANTI than very PRO.

For myself, I most appreciated the point where the titles came up a little late which made me concentrate hard at first and then when I glanced up at the information, that gave a new set of data to 'process' as I was listening.

I wouldn't welcome it as a regular feature of R3 programming but I think it was an interesting idea and probably worth refining for a repeat.

In the end, compare it with something like A Bach Christmas - a week of round-the-clock Bach. For some it was bliss, but others really aren't that keen on Bach and others (incl. me) switched off over the period because I don't like having any music, even Bach, served up in that way. Not even if they tell me what they're going to play.

[kernelbogey]

Each of the pieces played during the day is connected to a particular year and a historical, political or cultural happening that had a musical resonance at the time

IMV this was one of the failures of the programme. There was no 'connection' stated for each piece - relatively simple to have written in advance; the comments by Rob and Sarah gave the impression of having been prepared earlier, and were for only a few pieces; and the comments from personalities who had suggested music were conveyed in short videos: who would want to watch and listen to these while the music was playing? Not much of a 'live' blog, I think.

[Maclintick]

Like one of the other contributors, I was slightly nonplussed by how little attempt seemed to have been made on the website and/or social media to elaborate on the themes that we were led to believe underpinned the selections.

Agreed, & I'm still nonplussed by the question of how this offering from the BBC's cultural flagship radio station differs from that which could be produced by a bod in a shed putting out old recordings on the internet....

[kernelbogey]

I was slightly nonplussed by how little attempt seemed to have been made on the website and/or social media to elaborate on the themes that we were led to believe underpinned the selections.

Ol' man river, that ol' man river
He must know something, but he don't say nothing
That ol' man river, he just keep rollin' along....

[ahinton]

Ol' man river, that ol' man river
He must know something, but he don't say nothing
That ol' man river, he just keep rollin' along....

Or, alternatively, "riverrun..."

[Quarky]

With all due respect to the Musical Experts who are contributing to this thread, I can't help feeling some are looking for an inner complexity, where no such complexity was intended.

A river is a fluid entity with no discernible boundaries, it is not by its nature divided up into interlocking pieces which are ingeniously connected together.

From the Radio 3 blog: 16:35 Our producers worked hard to make sure that all the pieces in River of Music flow in an easy, continuous stream. They've done all sorts of clever things to make sure that key signatures, textures and themes just *work* - have you noticed?

The Radio 3 producers may be looking at an audience downstream - most of the comments seem to come from upstream.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Just a quick look through the comments made after the programme actually started, my very rough tally with a few guesses was that reactions were about 50:50, broadly pro or broadly con, among those who were commenting on what they heard. But more people very ANTI than very PRO.

I hope I didn't come across as being "strongly anti". I thought it was an interesting idea that had not been managed competently.

With the responses on this thread, I was reminded of the humorous satirical description of my university interview by a senior lecturer. He described it to the group of students:-

Dr S: Come in Mr Alps.
EA: (in a very grumpy voice) I don't agree with that!
.

[MrGongGong]

what strategy should I employ to listen to a Bach cantata as say a Mozart piano concerto ? or do strategies only come with wind swept reed beds (tho such are useful as a natural filter for human effluent)

Why not read a bit about possibilities ?
Lots here (for example)

http://www.ems-network.org/spip.php?rubrique58

[jean]

I don't see much about Bach cantatas there.

[MrGongGong]

Or, alternatively, "Riverrun..."

aaah one of the classics IMV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u81IGEFt7dM&list=PLL_hVqeedqmmGddDSZFNKyBmfjtHA10nI&index=76

Didn't have you down as a fan though

[french frank]

I hope I didn't come across as being "strongly anti". I thought it was an interesting idea that had not been managed competently.

I believe you were in that octant

EA: (in a very grumpy voice) I don't agree with that!