Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

So why am I not happy about the end of Essential Classics? The fear, that what is to come, will be if anything even worse.

Well, we do have to give them a chance - in the knowledge that we're hovering over them like vultures.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Ah, so you like the near ubiquity of bleeding chunks, eh?

I admit to not having listened to the programme under the new rules.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Though when SK said that two listeners had suggested the Adagio from Spartacus because of its associations with the sea I found myself shouting 'no, it's all about an escape from a Roman orgy, not the Onedin bloody Line' at the radio.

And, lest we forget, SK herself publicly described - on national television - Debussy's Prlude a l'Apres-Midi d'un Faune as being "about a young deer".

This old dear wasn't impressed.


(But, like uct, I prefer the timbre of SK's voice to SW's ... or RC's come to that.)

[Sir Velo]

I'm afraid Suzy Klein is for me the epitome of sycophancy and pretentiousness, in equal measure. But don't let me put others off!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

And, lest we forget, SK herself publicly described - on national television - Debussy's Prlude a l'Apres-Midi d'un Faune as being "about a young deer".

This old dear wasn't impressed.


(But, like uct, I prefer the timbre of SK's voice to SW's ... or RC's come to that.)

And called us snobs before we'd made a single comment about the Ibiza Prom.

[pastoralguy]

Hello. This is my first post. We enjoy Essential Classics and unfashionably, loved the Brainteaser. However with the arrival of Suzy Klein it seems to be no more. I can cope with change, but I'm not stupid and would appreciate an explanation or even an announcement that it has disappeared. I had noticed! As for all that bit about listeners suggestions..

Welcome, Cherrytree! So glad you're here.

I only noticed this morning that the 'guest spot' had been discontinued. I agree that most of the guests were of limited appeal and that their knowledge of classical music was often sketchy. (I often imagined their agents saying 'I've got you a spot on Radio Three but you're going to have to make up some stuff about classical music. Let's have a look online and find out something then we can create up some stories around it').

I do however slightly miss the quiz!

[Bryn]

I admit to not having listened to the programme under the new rules.

Actually there do seem to be more complete, if short, works today.

[BBMmk2]

Hiya Cherrytree. Welcome to this forum. Do hope you will have a great time here!

I liked the segment of what could follow Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata. I thought of RVWE's At Night on a Beach Alone. Rather appropriate, in my opinion.

[Bryn]

I'm afraid Suzy Klein is for me the epitome of sycophancy and pretentiousness, in equal measure. But don't let me put others off!

I deKlein to differ.

[french frank]

Still here

Merged threads and new title - the old one did put people off if they wanted to proclaim their enjoyment

[underthecountertenor]

Suzy Klein made a big thing this morning of telling us how much she was looking forward to Sarah Walker presenting Sunday Morning (from 1 October, it turns out), thereby soothing the troubled breasts of her admirers. Of course no such comfort is on offer for those of us who enjoyed James Jolly and Jonathan Swain's programmes, and who have seen them unceremoniously ditched.

[underthecountertenor]

Welcome, Cherrytree!

I only noticed this morning that the 'guest spot' had been discontinued. I agree that most of the guests were of limited appeal and that their knowledge of classical music was often sketchy. (I often imagined their agents saying 'I've got you a spot on Radio Three but you're going to have to make up some stuff about classical music. Let's have a look online and find out something then we can create up some stories around it').

With Private Passions doing the job so brilliantly on Radio 3, I've never seen the point of the EC guest spot, which was more a sort of amateurish version of Desert Island Discs spread thinly over five days.

[french frank]

I can cope with change, but I'm not stupid and would appreciate an explanation or even an announcement that it has disappeared.

I can only give a listener's uninformed answer. It's usual for Radio 3 to make changes with the 'new season' (which begins when the Proms finish) and there were press releases, press articles and a discussion here about some of it. But of course they don't detail every individual change to every programme.

On this forum at least - and it does cover a pretty broad range of tastes - the brainteaser had a definite thumbs down. I doubt that had any influence, though. More to the point, the programme, its title, brainteaser, guest chat spot &c. was the invention of the previous controller and this controller has shown in various ways that he has different ideas for Radio 3.

Every change will be welcomed by some and decried by others.

Personally, I stopped listening when Essential Classics started as I don't want three hours of formula-based entertainment items (my view of the prog). I just want to listen to music. Long pieces. Preferably dividing the morning into two or three different programmes, each with a clear musical remit.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Well, we do have to give them a chance - in the knowledge that we're hovering over them like vultures.

Don't vultures like bleeding chunks ?

[cloughie]

I deKlein to differ.

Lovely radio voice with welcoming warmth and clarity. I also like Sarah Walker, warm Barnsley accent and loads of knowledge - served her time on Essential Classics - well deserved Sunday berth!