New season on Radio 3 to include two new classical music programmes

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In the days before "Breakfast", when there was a sensible (and listed) Radio 3 programme at 7.00 a.m., I switched on regularly, and with interest. If I wanted background music, it would be a different matter, but such a programme would not be worthy of Radio 3.

[Frances_iom]

I ...
When you speak of 'dipping in and out': I'm slightly surprised that people seem to accept that this is standard accepted/acceptable scheduling, ..

It comes down to why listen to the radio rather than my own CD collection - possibly I can sit down for a short period knowing that I have other tasks to do (eg go shopping for a friend etc) often these tasks have some time flexibilty of 20/30mins so if I find the radio offering worthwhile I can listen to it complete otherwise I can postpone listening until post task - shorter more focussed programmes would in most ways be my preferred choice - if I knew there would be a light chamber concert 3 days a week at 10am then I'd do my best to arrange my affairs that I could enjoy this with my morning coffee - likewise a weekly fixed start time organ recital slot. The current potpourri scheme is pretty useless - I started to use the listings to select bits but gave up as the timings were a nuisance - it's easier to 'know' that coffee time on say weds fits with a mini recital than that the quartet I'd like to hear starts at 10.17 next thursday but the organ piece is at 11.34 on Friday...

[french frank]

if I find the radio offering worthwhile I can listen to it complete otherwise I can postpone listening until post task - shorter more focussed programmes would in most ways be my preferred choice - if I knew there would be a light chamber concert 3 days a week at 10am then I'd do my best to arrange my affairs that I could enjoy this with my morning coffee - likewise a weekly fixed start time organ recital slot.

That is more or less what I was suggesting - focusing attention on particular shorter sections, rather than a roll of musical wallpaper which you decide how long a section you want and you could cut that wallpaper at more or less any part of the roll and you get a similar piece.

Breakfast - for me - isn't worth listening to unless you aren't fussy about which section of the wallpaper you listen to. The choice of music doesn't provide a reason for switching on because nothing lasts long enough to merit the trouble.

(I gather emails and texts this morning are about 'What I listened to on my holidays')

[Russ]

Just to say that RW's blog has now been fixed to become commentable.

Russ

[french frank]

Just to say that RW's blog has now been fixed to become commentable.

Russ

Thanks - I'd forgtten to check today. Have posted my (first) question . I expect Graeme will come and answer it. If anyone does ...

[salymap]

Is the Essential Classics slot to be Rob and Sarah for alternate weeks? We are told in the new BBCMM that they are to 'share' their essential tracks with a guest. Ihope it's not all chat and at least they don't both chat on the same days.

Quote from 'The Red Shoes' .......Anton Walbrook, "Nothing matters but the music".

[Serial_Apologist]

Is the Essential Classics slot to be Rob and Sarah for alternate weeks? We are told in the new BBCMM that they are to 'share' their essential tracks with a guest. Ihope it's not all chat and at least they don't both chat on the same days.

Quote from 'The Red Shoes' .......Anton Walbrook, "Nothing matters but the music".

OMG, what a weird film that was! Brilliant psychedelic effects 25 years ahead of their time, but awful, AWFUL music!

I read that item as meaning that the one would cover the treble clef, and the other the bass.

[french frank]

My guess is that, as now, presenters will alternate.

I've just posted an amplified question on the blog. As far as I can see an 'extra' 90 minutes of programming has been introduced to Sundays (60 minutes of World Routes and another 30 minutes of Jazz Line-Up. But no announcement as to where the 90 minutes is going to come from. Discovering Music (90 mins) is displaced from its 5pm slot by The Choir with no news as to where it will go. I don't theenk Drama on 3 would be dropped because the Trust review said very firmly that there was a place for long-form drama on Radio 3.

My guess is that it will fill the (new) afternoon concert slot...

[Russ]

I've offlisted Jeremy Mortimer to ask if he has any information on where the Do3 slot might be.

Russ

[french frank]

I've offlisted Jeremy Mortimer to ask if he has any information on where the Do3 slot might be.

Russ

I meant that I thought Discovering Music would go to the afternoon slot.

My firm assumption is that it won't be dropped (equally, that Drama on 3 will stay where it is).

However, reading with some concern RW's comment that Radio 3 is 'a radio station not a university of the air', all things are possible. And reading up the history of the OU, and the planning for the 'university of the air', that seems to me exactly what R3 should be: open to all, as the OU is now, and making no intellectual concessions in spite of the fact that no formal educational qualifications were required.

[Roslynmuse]

However, reading with some concern RW's comment that Radio 3 is 'a radio station not a university of the air', all things are possible. And reading up the history of the OU, and the planning for the 'university of the air', that seems to me exactly what R3 should be: open to all, as the OU is now, and making no intellectual concessions in spite of the fact that no formal educational qualifications were required.

Quite.

I started listening to R3 when I was 10. (More than 35 years ago, to give an idea of what the station was like at that time.) No-one told me that it was difficult, challenging, elitist, unsuitable for anyone without at least Masters level qualifications. I chose what I listened to and accepted R3 for what it was. My musical knowledge grew, my cultural world expanded and I am grateful for what R3 offered at that time.

I still am grateful for much that it can offer, but whether it will be sustained (or is indeed sustainable) over the next 35 years is another matter.

[amateur51]

Quite.

I started listening to R3 when I was 10. (More than 35 years ago, to give an idea of what the station was like at that time.) No-one told me that it was difficult, challenging, elitist, unsuitable for anyone without at least Masters level qualifications. I chose what I listened to and accepted R3 for what it was. My musical knowledge grew, my cultural world expanded and I am grateful for what R3 offered at that time.

I still am grateful for much that it can offer, but whether it will be sustained (or is indeed sustainable) over the next 35 years is another matter.

Well said Roslynmuse & french frank! It was precisely because it was a bit challenging (yes, and elitist in that) when I started listening to Third Programme that I persisted, got books and records out of the library and general baffled my family. It has been literally a lifetime companion (along with Radio 4 and World Service) and I flinch every time it changes, just in case it changes beyond all recognition.

Have some courage, some belief in your new generation of listeners, RW. You don't have to spoon feed us

[doversoul1]

ff
A very good point about the OU. Yes, that how/what Radio3 should be. But, BUT… RW or BBC may argue that the OU actually offers a reward: a degree whereas Radio3 is after all just for people’s hobby. He/they may even say that if you want intellectual stimulation, go and listen to the OU…

[salymap]

The British Council is another organisation that has surely cut back on its once proud ideals.

I had friends there and did temp work one summer years ago. Are they still in existence?

[Roslynmuse]

The British Council is another organisation that has surely cut back on its once proud ideals.

I had friends there and did temp work one summer years ago. Are they still in existence?

http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/