Night Tracks

[antongould]

I have to say I rather enjoy it - it's certainly a huge improvement on the screech that Late Junction had become. This episode, from a few nights ago, was wonderful:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0008w2l

I’m enjoying it too ...... especially liked Wednesday’s selection ..........

[Judith Robbyns]

"What's the excuse this time? "

The excuse is that Radio Three listeners are well capable of concentrating on a piece of music for five minutes at a stretch. This compares with other listeners who are only able to concentrate for four minutes. Neither can yet manage thirty minutes or more listening to the same piece. That would be an unreasonable imposition. The whole of Brahms's Opus 78 lasts for almost thirty mins - for goodness sake, let's push on with a traditional folk song rather than hear the second and third movements. However, it's all so soothing that with a reasonable amount of luck you may be asleep before they reach the second piece and you'll miss the rest of the mixbag.

[Old Grumpy]

I’m enjoying it too ...... especially liked Wednesday’s selection ..........

Me too AG, when I stay awake. Perhaps we both are partial to peaches, whether for Breakfast or Night Tracks

OG

[Quarky]

There seems to be a problem for many listeners in broadcasting short works, or extracts from works. Not for me, I am enjoying Night Tracks and frequently go off into the land of nod - which presumably is its intention.

However I don't think listeners who want a whole work, something to get their teeth into, are hard done by. The evening format of Radio 3 appears to be 7.30 - 10 pm a Concert, and from 12.30/ 1 am Through the Night, both of which feature full length works. In the intervening period 10 pm - 12.30 am., there is a group of programmes, which includes an hour slot for Night Tracks on some evenings. I can't see that this is part of a dastardly plot by Radio 3 to change overall programming in R3.

And bear in mind there is always BBC Sounds if the current programme broadcast is not of interest.

[doversoul1]

And bear in mind there is always BBC Sounds if the current programme broadcast is not of interest.

But bear in mind that not everybody has access to BBC Sounds wherever and/or whenever they want to listen to the programme/music.

[Stanfordian]

There seems to be a problem for many listeners in broadcasting short works, or extracts from works. Not for me, I am enjoying Night Tracks and frequently go off into the land of nod - which presumably is its intention.

However I don't think listeners who want a whole work, something to get their teeth into, are hard done by. The evening format of Radio 3 appears to be 7.30 - 10 pm a Concert, and from 12.30/ 1 am Through the Night, both of which feature full length works. In the intervening period 10 pm - 12.30 am., there is a group of programmes, which includes an hour slot for Night Tracks on some evenings. I can't see that this is part of a dastardly plot by Radio 3 to change overall programming in R3.

And bear in mind there is always BBC Sounds if the current programme broadcast is not of interest.

I listen to Night Tracks occasionally, usually enjoying the programme and also the contribution of SM-P. I too often drop off to sleep whilst listening to it, so I'm not sure the programme is suitable listening for lorry drivers who are in fear at dropping off at the wheel or workers operating machinery.

[Judith Robbyns]

It may be welcome to those/many who for years and years have been denied any late night classical music at all, until Through the Night begins (after most of us have gone to bed). But it is, let's not mince words, Eezee Listening for Lazee listeners, and many people would like something more from a network like Radio Three. If not here, where?

[Quarky]

. If not here, where?

Try the R3 schedule for Sunday, available for 4 weeks: https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl8t/2019/10/27

Wouldn't recommend Between the Ears -very disturbing. Or Slow Radio- Rock Music!

[Judith Robbyns]

"Try the R3 schedule for Sunday, available for 4 weeks: https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl8t/2019/10/27"

I see one possible programme there, The Early Music Show. Also The Listening Service which I've already heard and commented on (approvingly) in the games music discussion, though that is only a programme about - video games music about which I now know enough. However, like the under twenties, many people here seem to be content to be plugged into anything that is relaying non-stop music. That schedule only illustrates what Radio Three is, and 'what Radio Three is' is the problem for at least a section of its audience.

[Aotearoa]

I dearly love R3 and have the privilege of being able to listen to Through the Night all the way through, but it is becoming a bit like one of the drawers in my house, stuffed with old cables, batteries, string, elastic bands, an old mobile phone and pens that don't work.
And because the average R3 listener is more enlightened he will tolerate being exposed to more music that defies classification. Would R1 dream of exposing its listeners to more experimental music simply because it is good for them to be shaken up a bit?
I sense the latest R3 listening figures will justify the cod liver oil treatment. It's got nothing to do with the tedium of Brexit, Trump and general news gloom on other (linear??) stations.

[LMcD]

I dearly love R3 and have the privilege of being able to listen to Through the Night all the way through, but it is becoming a bit like one of the drawers in my house, stuffed with old cables, batteries, string, elastic bands, an old mobile phone and pens that don't work.
And because the average R3 listener is more enlightened he will tolerate being exposed to more music that defies classification. Would R1 dream of exposing its listeners to more experimental music simply because it is good for them to be shaken up a bit?
I sense the latest R3 listening figures will justify the cod liver oil treatment. It's got nothing to do with the tedium of Brexit, Trump and general news gloom on other (linear??) stations.

Sorry to hear that RNZ Concert is to be scrapped (I've posted separately about this).

[Beresford]

I've taken to listening to Night Tracks the morning after, when I can, rather than Essential Classics with all it's plugs.
I quite like about half the music, and the sound quality seems slightly better as well, particularly if I download it.

Poor S M-P speaks as though she has been locked in a basement of Broadcasting House, as a punishment for not running enough trailers, only to be let out when she has increased listening figures to her personal target. Maybe the rationale is that few want to hear a bright perky voice on R3 at midnight.

[Quarky]

I've taken to listening to Night Tracks the morning after, when I can, rather than Essential Classics with all it's plugs.
I quite like about half the music, and the sound quality seems slightly better as well, particularly if I download it.

Poor S M-P speaks as though she has been locked in a basement of Broadcasting House, as a punishment for not running enough trailers, only to be let out when she has increased listening figures to her personal target. Maybe the rationale is that few want to hear a bright perky voice on R3 at midnight.

I do much the same. It's very effective at sending me to sleep, so I have to "listen again". The musical selections are quite good, but wasn't too happy about the thought of sending young boys to the fiery furnace, no matter the musical quality of Stockhausen.

SMP may do better just to speak in her natural voice, it's the musical selections that are important . Hannah Peel in contrast has a dreamy voice better suited to late night radio. Her musical selections are ok, but not as interesting as SMP's, IMV of course.

......Now back to Monteverdi......cut the cackle, DMC....

[kernelbogey]

I've dipped in a few times, with mixed reactions. Given the tendency (much commented on in these boards over the years) of presenters of the 'classical' programmes to patronise listeners with supposedly educative background information, I find it odd, to put it no more strongry, that the presenters of Night Tracks appear to talk to a 'knowing' audience and give little information that might help someone who is not familiar with this particular musical scene (eg contemporary electronic music).

[Old Grumpy]

I like Night Tracks, especially when SM-P is presenting, but I don't always hear much of it ' cos I fall asleep - which is kinda the idea, isn't it?

OG