Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[french frank]

... no : I think the 'problem' with chumminess is that it is fake, a spurious assumption of friendly intimacy that has not been earned and is not desired.

If that's what you understand by the colloquialism, yes, you're right. Though the OED merely defines 'chummy' as 'intimate' or 'sociable'. As ferney says, some are 'being themselves' - nothing fake - necessarily. It can still grate, though.

Any kind of pose is 'fake' - and 'dandiacal arrogance' is just as likely to be a mere pose. Whether one grates more than another on someone depends on the someone. Though both would probably annoy me.

[vinteuil]

.

... the difference is that 'chumminess' implies a relationship : when there is no such relationship, the chumminess is inauthentic, fake, and (to me) irritating. 'Arrogance' doesn't imply relationship, quite the reverse.

It's why I prefer the unfeeling arrogance of cats to the apparent friendliness of dogs...



.

[teamsaint]

I'd characterise cats as perhaps supercilious, rather than arrogant.

And certainly not unfeeling, since they certainly do , or can, recognise difficulties experienced by humans.

But just IMHO of course.

And going back to the topic, the important thing, I think, is that the broadcaster has some genuine quality that clearly transcends the issues that some will inevitably have with their ( or the house) style. A good example might be Stephen Johnson.

[french frank]

It's why I prefer the unfeeling arrogance of cats to the apparent friendliness of dogs...

Why, there you are, monsieur - I am au contraire the founder of the Cats Prevention League

[LMcD]

It was not Suzy Klein, but a Dr Alun Withey (BBC New Generation Thinker, god help us) who perpetrated this.

I beg her pardon! (Posted from out here on the naughty step. It's freezing)

[Frances_iom]

as it's Xmas (tho quite why that should have clouded my judgement I don't know) I tried the replacement presenter -big mistake - he was fine doing the Sunday slot but he and Joy from Taunton or wherever can remain silent for the next year - pseudo bonhomie even tho laced with tinsel

[Bax-of-Delights]

It would appear that my festive spirit has worn off rather quickly. If one thought Skellers would bring anything different to the programme we have been sorely misled. Same old stuff, same waffle, inane “competitions”. It is the format that is totally wrong, not the presenter. It couldn’t be any worse even if KD was at the mic.

[french frank]

It would appear that my festive spirit has worn off rather quickly. If one thought Skellers would bring anything different to the programme we have been sorely misled. Same old stuff, same waffle, inane “competitions”. It is the format that is totally wrong, not the presenter. It couldn’t be any worse even if KD was at the mic.

FoR3 did describe Ess. Cla. as a Poisoned Chalice, and wished Ian the best of luck with it. I'd have said the format has been even worse than Breakfast, redeemed about 5% be having 1 (ONE) full-length piece. Which it doesn't seem to have had lately. It has come over as an even more aggressive attempt to offer a 'distinctive' [sic] alternative for Classic FM listeners. Rather interesting if CFM decided to replace John Suchet with … Rob Cowan

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It would appear that my festive spirit has worn off rather quickly. If one thought Skellers would bring anything different to the programme we have been sorely misled. Same old stuff, same waffle, inane “competitions”. It is the format that is totally wrong, not the presenter. It couldn’t be any worse even if KD was at the mic.

Oh, and with KD winning Christmas 2017 Strictly Come Dancing yesterday, we'll never hear the end of it ...

[Stanfordian]

Oh, and with KD winning Christmas 2017 Strictly Come Dancing yesterday, we'll never hear the end of it ...

Today it seems to be reading out a number of listeners tweets and emails this morning. Just play the music and say a little bit about it please! The celebrity obsession section today is Griffith Rhys Jones currently talking about books and just getting in the way of the music.

[BBMmk2]

I think with Breakfast and Essential we want a programme like this but with less waffle and better music, which I have requested, eg Handel's Ciacona in G major.

[oddoneout]

Before you all jump down my throat, here's the disclaimer - I don't think this is what R3 should be doing.
However I felt that IS dealt well and on occasion entertainingly with the listener input, and whatever the reason for his slip(quickly corrected) the 'rage over a lost piano' was an amusing thought.
It is a poisoned chalice though, and at some point I suspect the inanity will get the better of him, but for now I'll carry on listening as usual(ie with some selective leaving the room for things like the celebrity slot) and see what if any influence he can bring to bear.

[cloughie]

Today it seems to be reading out a number of listeners tweets and emails this morning. Just play the music and say a little bit about it please! The celebrity obsession section today is Griffith Rhys Jones currently talking about books and just getting in the way of the music.

Well he's usually an annoying ..... So I'm glad I missed him!

[Serial_Apologist]

Oh, and with KD winning Christmas 2017 Strictly Come Dancing yesterday, we'll never hear the end of it ...

Gosh! To think that I once actually made it to meeting with a real celebrity-to-be!!! It actually happened a few years ago now, can't remember how many, when Radio 3 did its "pop up" at the RFH, and the much-missed Calum da Jazzbo and I went along to the sparsely attended q&a with Mr Wright, which she... compered.

[LMcD]

Before you all jump down my throat, here's the disclaimer - I don't think this is what R3 should be doing.
However I felt that IS dealt well and on occasion entertainingly with the listener input, and whatever the reason for his slip(quickly corrected) the 'rage over a lost piano' was an amusing thought.
It is a poisoned chalice though, and at some point I suspect the inanity will get the better of him, but for now I'll carry on listening as usual(ie with some selective leaving the room for things like the celebrity slot) and see what if any influence he can bring to bear.

Very fair comment IMHO. His more jocular approach seems more suited to the programme's format than did RC's rather more earnest style. And - unless my ears deceived me - we did get to hear a complete Mozart piano concerto.