Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[Richard Tarleton]

Not sure that an extended RR preview with Andrew on EC on Fridays is an either welcome or necessary development? There's enough talking on EC as it is

I thought Rob C's new Saturday PM programme an excellent notion until I realised that it was as well as his regular EC spot . 17 hours a week of Rob Cowan? With the best will in the world.....

[french frank]

I thought Rob C's new Saturday PM programme an excellent notion

According to the schedule Rob's Gold Standard is only for two weeks. Whether it will be followed by Rob's Silver and Bronze Standards, I don't know.

No changes have been announced for Essential Classics (yet) …

[seabright]

Not sure that an extended RR preview with Andrew on EC on Fridays is an either welcome or necessary development? There's enough talking on EC as it is

I thought Rob C's new Saturday PM programme an excellent notion until I realised that it was as well as his regular EC spot . 17 hours a week of Rob Cowan? With the best will in the world.....

Do all these Radio 3 presenters have life-time contracts? I seem to remember that Boult was sacked when he reached 60 because that was the BBC's retirement age. However, RC will soon be a septuagenarian, so it looks like those days are gone!

[french frank]

Do all these Radio 3 presenters have life-time contracts? I seem to remember that Boult was sacked when he reached 60 because that was the BBC's retirement age. However, RC will soon be a septuagenarian, so it looks like those days are gone!

First, I think the law has changed, so companies can't choose an obligatory early retirement age. But presenters are usually freelance and the BBC official retirement age (now 65 not 60) doesn't apply to them anyway - Geoffrey Smith is over 70.

[ahinton]

... indeed so - tho' some of us think the rot set in with the abandonment of the Bimetallic Standard in 1873.

Then it's arguably a wonder that the Steel Standard didn't follow suit sooner than it now looks set to do!

[zola]

Do all these Radio 3 presenters have life-time contracts? I seem to remember that Boult was sacked when he reached 60 because that was the BBC's retirement age. However, RC will soon be a septuagenarian, so it looks like those days are gone!

Not just Radio 3. Radio 2 has such as Brian Matthew, Paul Jones, Bob Harris. John Humphrey on Radio 4. But none of these seem quite as ubiquitous as on Radio Cowan.

[Frances_iom]

Not just Radio 3. Radio 2 has such as Brian Matthew, Paul Jones, Bob Harris. John Humphrey on Radio 4. But none of these seem quite as ubiquitous as on Radio Cowan.

His forte is hospital radio - I suspect most of his listeners can remember the first issue of his well played oldies on 78s (+ no doubt poorer hearing in late old age means that the audio quality is less important) - does anyone other than in retirement homes listen to this?

[Padraig]

His forte is hospital radio - I suspect most of his listeners can remember the first issue of his well played oldies on 78s (+ no doubt poorer hearing in late old age means that the audio quality is less important) - does anyone other than in retirement homes listen to this?

I'm not sure what 'this' is, Frances from the Isle of Man, but I take it you mean Essential Classics. If so, the answer is YES. I DO. And I enjoy most of it - I do not like the interruptions, (as I have testified for years and have given up doing so).
This week the poet Jackie Kay was in conversation with Sarah Walker and SW's parting gift was a piece by Tobias Hume, which reminded me of our late friend Gamba. He posted a lovely setting by Hume of Love's Farewell, played by Luciana Elizondo on viola da gamba. I don't have to remind you that today's offering on All of Bach is a superb performance of Viola da Gamba Sonata No 2. I listened to all three pieces during the day and found it a satisfying little concert, sparked off by Essential Classics.

[Bax-of-Delights]

The piece of music played backwards. What on earth could it be? Even RC is stumped (he says).



I'm just off to make a cup of tea for myself and Mrs BoD. The answer in 10 minutes apparently.

[doversoul1]

I'm not sure what 'this' is, Frances from the Isle of Man, but I take it you mean Essential Classics. If so, the answer is YES. I DO. And I enjoy most of it - I do not like the interruptions, (as I have testified for years and have given up doing so).
This week the poet Jackie Kay was in conversation with Sarah Walker and SW's parting gift was a piece by Tobias Hume, which reminded me of our late friend Gamba. He posted a lovely setting by Hume of Love's Farewell, played by Luciana Elizondo on viola da gamba. I don't have to remind you that today's offering on All of Bach is a superb performance of Viola da Gamba Sonata No 2. I listened to all three pieces during the day and found it a satisfying little concert, sparked off by Essential Classics.

While I was deprived of listening to Through the Night through morning, I tuned into Essential Classics and was pleasantly surprised. I found the guests all interesting, the quiz was silly but Sara Walker didn’t make a big thing out of it and it was only a few minutes. The selection of music may be too tame and SW’s comments irrelevant for most members of this forum but I would have been glad to heat and appreciated them a few years ago.

I think this programme serves the purpose well but may be two hours is enough. It would ne good if he rest of the hour in the morning would be used for a specialist programme.

[french frank]

I think this programme serves the purpose well but may be two hours is enough.

Especially following 90 minutes of Breakfast. Lovely for those who DO enjoy it, but a total turn-off for those who don't - and throughout radio's peak listening time. But this is - in the literal sense - cheap radio: specialist programmes cost more.

[Richard Tarleton]

Yesterday, Matthew Parris told us in The Times, he texted his friend Petroc to complain about his playing "Sumer is icumen in", which he thought the most boring song he (Matthew) had ever heard, on Monday morning. I didn't hear that, but did hear Sarah play it again today

They're both a bit late. The Welsh word for July, gorffennaf, means (I am given to understand) "end of summer", which is actually about right.

[underthecountertenor]

Yesterday, Matthew Parris told us in The Times, he texted his friend Petroc to complain about his playing "Sumer is icumen in", which he thought the most boring song he (Matthew) had ever heard, on Monday morning. I didn't hear that, but did hear Sarah play it again today

They're both a bit late. The Welsh word for July, gorffennaf, means (I am given to understand) "end of summer", which is actually about right.

Different recordings, though. Petroc gave us The Dufay Collective, whereas Sarah plumped for The Hilliard Ensemble. Just imagine: next up - "Sumer is icumen in" on Building a Library.

[Serial_Apologist]

Different recordings, though. Petroc gave us The Dufay Collective, whereas Sarah plumped for The Hilliard Ensemble. Just imagine: next up - "Sumer is icumen in" on Building a Library.

To be pre-announced as "Summat is icumen up"!

[Richard Tarleton]

Just imagine: next up - "Sumer is icumen in" on Building a Library.

And for the DVD version....