Private Passions

[french frank]

Desert Island Discs seems to be made up of records that fit in with the "castaway's" life story.

And my prefence would be for Private Passions to differentiate itself from Desert Island Discs by not focusing on the personal life of the guest - unless, possibly, the life and career are bound up with music. On this last edition it seems that the not-so-private passion was 'space' and the discussion was centred mainly on her life and job, so I'd like less of a 'celebrity' guest and more of a knowledgeable music lover..

[DracoM]

[smittims]

I've always thought that these programmes are at their best when the rubric or premise is followed more literally, i.e. DiD should actually feature the eigth records the person really would choose of they had only them to last the rest of their lives. Similarly 'PP' should be a chance to reveal something private about the person: something we didn't know. Using either programme as self-publicity or hagiography usually makes me switch off early.

[eighthobstruction]

If Private Passions is not an opportunity for an ego trip what is it ? I thought Wayne deliciously indiscreet - his Lady Di revelations made the papers - and very amusing. Yes he’s self - obsessed but he’s talent and they tend to be. The work that goes into getting to the top of the ballet tree must be way beyond most peoples comprehension. In the immortal worlds of Max Bialystock “if you’ve got it baby, flaunt it.”

....must admit if I was on 5 0r 6 tracks would be Captain Beefheart

[Opinionated Knowall]

At one time the 'private passion' was someone well-known's 'private passion' for classical music, with the odd jazz piece or song from a musical

Because until 2014, the programme was made by Classic Arts, a company with a production team who knew - and cared - about classical music, and the programme focused on the music. Since then, it has been made by Loftus Media, a company consisting of a group of generalist ex-Radio 4 producers, with no music specialists, and an executive producer who used to produce Desert Island Discs.

[Bryn]

Because until 2014, the programme was made by Classic Arts, a company with a production team who knew - and cared - about classical music, and the programme focused on the music. Since then, it has been made by Loftus Media, a company consisting of a group of generalist ex-Radio 4 producers, with no music specialists, and an executive producer who used to produce Desert Island Discs.

Spot on! The same sort of nonsense that saw a sports outside broadcast specialist take over the Proms audio engineering for the 2011 season, with consequent heavy dynamic limitation imposed on the first few concerts of the season, including Havergal Brian's 'Gothic' Symphony and Janacek's Glagolitic Mass in its then new critical edition.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Because until 2014, the programme was made by Classic Arts, a company with a production team who knew - and cared - about classical music, and the programme focused on the music. Since then, it has been made by Loftus Media, a company consisting of a group of generalist ex-Radio 4 producers, with no music specialists, and an executive producer who used to produce Desert Island Discs.

You might be amazed to hear that “generalist ex-Radio 4 producers “ and especially Desert Island Disc exec producers often know quite a lot about classical music. In the unlikely event that they don’t there’s always the expertise of Michael Berkeley to fall back on. If guests want to choose jazz or pop that’s up to them isn’t it ?

[french frank]

You might be amazed to hear that “generalist ex-Radio 4 producers “ and especially Desert Island Disc exec producers often know quite a lot about classical music. In the unlikely event that they don’t there’s always the expertise of Michael Berkeley to fall back on. If guests want to choose jazz or pop that’s up to them isn’t it ?

I don't think the problem lies at all with what the guests 'want to choose' (if I remember correctly Harry BIrtwistle chose a Beatles song). It lies with whom the producers choose to have as guests; and therefore what the (very knowledgeable) presenter feels he can easily discuss with that guest. In other words, it's more to do with what kind of programme the producers and managers want.

I'm sure Steven Pinker is an interesting and erudite man. But the producers might have established in advance whether he would be happy to choose some classical music for a 'classical music programme' - if that's what PP is intended to be. If not that, what is it intended to be? Another R3 'middle of the road' half classical half what the guest/presenter wants played à la Piano Flow, Happy Harmonies or Tearjerker?

[eighthobstruction]

what is it intended to be

....well yes, but what is anything intended to be. I know we are focusing on a particular subject ; supposedly OT a la OP....but I'd like to widen it out beyond context....what's it all about....what the hells happening....(100 times a day I wish Jacob Bronowski was still alive)....

[vinteuil]

....well yes, but what is anything intended to be. I know we are focusing on a particular subject ; supposedly OT a la OP....but I'd like to widen it out beyond context....what's it all about....what the hells happening......

"It all depends what you mean by 'depend'... " Professor Joad [1891-1953], (attrib.)

.

[eighthobstruction]

"It all depends what you mean by 'depend'... " Professor Joad [1891-1953], (attrib.)

.

...yaaa you can get (attrib) for almost anything these days (and especially those days)

[burning dog]

And my prefence would be for Private Passions to differentiate itself from Desert Island Discs by not focusing on the personal life of the guest - unless, possibly, the life and career are bound up with music. On this last edition it seems that the not-so-private passion was 'space' and the discussion was centred mainly on her life and job, so I'd like less of a 'celebrity' guest and more of a knowledgeable music lover..

I agree

[Ein Heldenleben]

They are putting out the wrong edition of Private Passions .This seems to be the recent programme with Steve Rosenberg rathe than the promised Ben Watt. Quite an unusual mistake. I wonder how long it’ll be before anyone notices .

[underthecountertenor]

They are putting out the wrong edition of Private Passions .This seems to be the recent programme with Steve Rosenberg rathe than the promised Ben Watt. Quite an unusual mistake. I wonder how long it’ll be before anyone notices .

Presumably Ben Watt has noticed by now….

[Ein Heldenleben]

Presumably Ben Watt has noticed by now….

I would have thought most of the production team would have noticed by now and phoned in. Which means they either can’t find the right tape or more likely digital file at BH or it’s been mislabelled . You wouldn’t believe the checks they have to stop this happening. I’ve done plenty of live shows where the wrong insert tape went out but wrong editions of pre -recorded hour long progs is a different matter.