Saturday Classics/Inside Music

[Anna]

Well, why don't we all a) email Saturday Classics and say how much we've enjoyed and and more of the same please and b) all email CotW enclosing this link and asking for a repeat of this and other British Music composers they may have in the vaults? If we don't say then they'll never know. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/cotw/pip/uihkj/

[french frank]

I listened to a bit of SH's last programme and I wonder how it came over to the 'new audience' - would they find it rather stodgy, dry, unnecessary information, too concentrated, not enough familiar tunes? Strong though my personal reservations are about SH , his presentation does embody so many of the features we feel are largely missing from R3 now.

Hmmm, the email addresses don't work as links, apparently, but the Saturday Classics email address is saturdayclassics at bbc.co.uk

[Anna]

I listened to a bit of SH's last programme and I wonder how it came over to the 'new audience' - would they find it rather stodgy, dry, unnecessary information, too concentrated, not enough familiar tunes? Strong though my personal reservations are about SH , his presentation does embody so many of the features we feel are largely missing from R3 now.

Hmmm, the email addresses don't work as links, apparently, but the Saturday Classics email address is saturdayclassics at bbc.co.uk

Well, I haven't listened to all the different Saturday Classics presenters but I gave up on Gareth Malone because I objected to being talked down to and patronised as if I were an 11 year old (plus his silly 'can you tell what it is yet?), in contrast I felt that Simon Heffer was talking to me as an adult. Main reason for enjoying the programme of course (as mentioned by many above) is the total lack of familiar tunes! (I did actually email them after SH's first programme to express my appreciation of content and style and the hope he would be given further slots)

[Serial_Apologist]

Main reason for enjoying the programme of course (as mentioned by many above) is the total lack of familiar tunes!

Great - at last the chance to present some of ahinton's music!

[french frank]

Coming up in a couple of weeks will be two programmes presented by Tasmin Little. Very engaging personality, could be fun. But it might also highlight the difference between a celebrity guest and a knowledgeable enthusiast. The puff for TL's first programme is:

"In the first of two programmes, violinist Tasmin Little selects inspirational music from her childhood for Saturday Classics.

The programme includes orchestral music by Smetana and Wagner, along with a movement of one of Tasmin’s favourite string quartets by Haydn. She also shares some of her musical memories through the music of Puccini, and Spike Jones' rendition of Tchaikovsky's None But The Lonely Heart. "

Childhood, musical memories ... this seems to anchor the programme around TL, rather than the music. This isn't to prejudge how successful and interesting it will be, but it's not at all the Heffer approach. [I'm reminded that an earlier guest resorted at one point to reciting a bit of Wikipedia, word for word, which if the source hadn't been noticed would have been taken for a bit of personal insight ...]

[doversoul1]

What really bothers me is the way in which Radio 3 is determined to make classical music into something personal. Classical music (as far as I know, that is) is an abstract art and that is the whole point of it. All this childhood memories and teenage experiences are only obstructions. Radio3 should encourage and maybe educate the ‘new audience’ to learn to appreciate the abstract nature of the music rather than telling people that great music makes you cry buckets.

I find two hours of (modern) British music rather daunting but I’ll try LA at least part of it.

[Anna]

Great - at last the chance to present some of ahinton's music!

Well, never having knowingly heard Mr. Hinton's music - I would not be averse to that!
In the first of two programmes, violinist Tasmin Little selects inspirational music from her childhood for Saturday Classics
Well, anyone can do that, but it's rather like "Your Call" extended to two hours isn't it? And when Bella, our beloved cat died we all assembled in the garden and buried her to the proundly melancholy music of (composer of your choice) I can never hear it now without shedding a silent tear. And here is the short third movement .... OK, I suppose it's difficult to think of a theme for these programmes .........

[Norfolk Born]

Well, why don't we all a) email Saturday Classics and say how much we've enjoyed and and more of the same please and b) all email CotW enclosing this link and asking for a repeat of this and other British Music composers they may have in the vaults? If we don't say then they'll never know. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/cotw/pip/uihkj/

I did email them after the 2nd SH programme. No reply/acknowledgement as yet.

[Norfolk Born]

CotW is Walton (another repeat) next week...which confirms my suspicion that the idea, over four weeks, might be to attract listeners who have been enjoying Saturday Classics while it is featuring British music.

[vinteuil]

CotW is Walton (another repeat) next week...which confirms my suspicion that the idea, over four weeks, might be to attract listeners who have been enjoying Saturday Classics while it is featuring British music.

... yes. And for those of us who don't particularly care for British music - well, we have our CDs, don't we?

[Anna]

CotW is Walton (another repeat) next week...which confirms my suspicion that the idea, over four weeks, might be to attract listeners who have been enjoying Saturday Classics while it is featuring British music.

Yes, that could be a possibilty I suppose (I did not get a reply to my Saturday Classics email either but the more than do email, the more they make take notice - I am ever the optimist!)

... yes. And for those of us who don't particularly care for British music - well, we have our CDs, don't we?

Exactly my dear vints. In fact, all we are asking for is a little variation and less bleeding chunks of the old familiars on a Saturday afternoon.

[vinteuil]

In fact, all we are asking for is a little variation and less bleeding chunks of the old familiars on a Saturday afternoon.

In which you have my total support

[Panjandrum]

Well, I haven't listened to all the different Saturday Classics presenters but I gave up on Gareth Malone because I objected to being talked down to and patronised as if I were an 11 year old (plus his silly 'can you tell what it is yet?), in contrast I felt that Simon Heffer was talking to me as an adult.

Maybe the success of the last three weeks will encourage the top brass to commission a series in which the composers, and the works featured herein can be explored in greater depth. Well, we can but hope.

Personally, good though it was to hear A colour Symphony I would love to have heard Bliss' perennially fresh ballet score, Adam Zero. For anyone unfamiliar with it, stylistically think a cocktail of Respighi, Hermann (Vertigo vintage), Shostakovitch Jazz Suite period, Walton with a touch of Elgar thrown in for good measure; but all in a distinctly individual and highly appealing palate; with splendid orchestration.

[antongould]

I listened to a bit of SH's last programme and I wonder how it came over to the 'new audience' - would they find it rather stodgy, dry, unnecessary information, too concentrated, not enough familiar tunes? Strong though my personal reservations are about SH , his presentation does embody so many of the features we feel are largely missing from R3 now.

Hmmm, thi have o problems with e email addresses don't work as links, apparently, but the Saturday Classics email address is saturdayclassics at bbcwallace .co.uk

As the new boy who has been here a while - I find the programmes, as I have already said, a real joy. Like Wallace I have no problems with BCs, I think Heffer and his producer, as it is obviously a joint effort, use them well.

[french frank]

As the new boy who has been here a while - I find the programmes, as I have already said, a real joy. Like Wallace I have no problems with BCs, I think Heffer and his producer, as it is obviously a joint effort, use them well.

The thing about the programme is that it has a focus and the single movements, alternating with full works, fit in and amplify the wider subject. That seems to me to be why they work. You can go on to explore, in your own time, within that context.