Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[David-G]

It's unfortunate that the listening figures for this programme, compared with CDM, are a closely guarded BBC secret: it falls within the category of 'journalism, art and literature' (though how any of these are involved is a moot point) and is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act.

What I have managed to glean from the very few figures I have 'discovered' is that CDM had more listeners than Classical Collection (in fact, more than Breakfast has been getting lately, even though it is both longer and goes out at peaktime); hence the further popularisation of Essential Classics.

The rub was that CDM had the wrong kind of listeners.

Sorry - (hides head in shame...) - what is CDM?

[french frank]

Sorry - (hides head in shame...) - what is CDM?

(Not Cadburys Dairy Milk ...) CD Masters - from 6-7 years ago, with Rob Cowan and Jonathan Swain? :-)

[Frances_iom]

It shames me to say I heard it all .......bottom of the barrel is being too fair.......have they no quality control of any kind??

'They' obviously have but went above what was needed - you listened to the complete programme thus in future they can save money by employing a non quipping jokester and some will still listen - R2.5 only has to last until RW gets his golden pension after which it will be shut down to allow an extra channel for pre teen music thus providing for day after tomorrow's listeners.

[teamsaint]

'They' obviously have but went above what was needed - you listened to the complete programme thus in future they can save money by employing a non quipping jokester and some will still listen - R2.5 only has to last until RW gets his golden pension after which it will be shut down to allow an extra channel for pre teen music thus providing for day after tomorrow's listeners.

3beebies ?

[Black Swan]

What next? Rob Cowan or Sarah Walker as a personal shopper?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ecps

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've just had an email about it (from someone who read the Sunday Telegraph article). He wrote: "I am currently 'listening' to an appalling piece of broadcasting where Tim Vine is showing off his lack of musical knowledge, so why is he on at all?"

Answer is that the theory goes that people with 'musical knowledge' intimidate the potential new listeners. A comedian (?) with a merry quip about his ignorance is very reassuring.

When we watch a Champions' League football match, with outstanding players of world class, are we intimidated by their elitism? We are not.
When we first listened to music on Radio 3 and were learning from it, were we intimidated? Probably not.
When we listen to music on Radio 3 now, how do we feel? Embarrassed.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

the presenter on EC this am was beyond the pale for personalising all in her purview; just so irritating

[french frank]

The really unfair and arrogant part of it is how affronted they seem to be when people criticise. They know perfectly well that they are producing programmes for Roger's 'new listeners' and that you can't produce a programme that suits that audience and also suits people who have been listening for years and who have higher expectations.

Don't blame us for the contempt. Blame your dedication to prostitution.

[pastoralguy]

The really unfair and arrogant part of it is how affronted they seem to be when people criticise. They know perfectly well that they are producing programmes for Roger's 'new listeners' and that you can't produce a programme that suits that audience and also suits people who have been listening for years and who have higher expectations.

Don't blame us for the contempt. Blame your dedication to prostitution.

Arrogance!? From the BBC?! Not in a million years...

(The replies in the Radio Times from BBC management to letters that DARE to sound a note of criticism are beyond belief!)

[Stanfordian]

Mrs. PG and I did a lot of driving last week and always seemed to be in the car during Rob Cowen's 'guest spot' and I have to say that I thought Sandi Toksvig was an excellent guest. She was witty, engaging and very knowledgeable about music. I was clear that Rob was enjoying her company.

Hiya pastoralguy, I too find Sandi Toksvig entertaining; that's when she isnt being annoying. But why! Oh why does Radio 3 need this constant flow of celebrities? What is wrong with the great wealth of music on offer?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A Mozart violin concerto - beautiful.
Then chit-chit that exceeds even the familiar levels of embarrassment.

[french frank]

Hiya pastoralguy, I too find Sandi Toksvig entertaining; that's when she isnt being annoying. But why! Oh why does Radio 3 need this constant flow of celebrities? What is wrong with the great wealth of music on offer?

That is the key: you either have popular celebrities or you don't. Deciding that Celebrity A is 'acceptable' - knowledgeable, entertaining &c &c - condemns you to listen to a Mr Vine, a Derren Brown, a Russell Grant, in fact anyone who can name a piece of classical music. We have Private Passions for people who may or may not be interesting from a musical point of view.

Celebrity guests are introduced for people who are interested in celebrity guests rather than music. Otherwise they could have guests who aren't celebrities but who know about music ...

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

er personality radio is not easy to do well, you have to be good at it to carry it off RW is denying the reality of his undefended budgets.... it is not simply a bad idea, but pretty execrable execution too, certainly this morning

any one else had to turn off the sound until it is over and some music, any music plays again ...

[Bax-of-Delights]

er personality radio is not easy to do well, you have to be good at it to carry it off RW is denying the reality of his undefended budgets.... it is not simply a bad idea, but pretty execrable execution too, certainly this morning

any one else had to turn off the sound until it is over and some music, any music plays again ...

Caught the first 2 minutes and the last 2 minutes. Jeremy Vine's brother (nepotism does seem very rife at the BBC does it not?) was woefully unfunny but Sarah Walker seemed to be laughing her socks off so who cares about the audience eh?

Note to EC producers: I am available to be the guest on EC and although I have no celebrity status (apart from with Mrs B-o-D) I can guarantee a better conversation and a fascinating mix of music. My fee is just the train fare to BH and a Luncheon Voucher. See, what a bargain!

[french frank]

All a-Twitter:

"On radio three now i'm about to be on a show talking about classical music which is something i know nothing about. Essential classics."

Perhaps the Executive Producer would like to join us here and explain what this is all about? and why it is such a good idea?