So what's wrong with Radio 3 Breakfast?

[mercia]

On the bright side, I was spared the other movements

bleeding chunks have their advantages then

[Aubade]

As we have complained about repeats of Bolero and Moldau maybe we should be careful about what we wish for, mind I have never heard the Fuchs but I am of the view that Glass is alright for looking through.

…albeit darkly! When the going gets very bland, I comfort myself with the fact that we no longer visit Vienna every morning without fail as we did when all this nonsense started under RC. Sometimes we got a gallop of a polka but the rest of the time. . . I came to realise that the words "Ground Hog Day" are themselves in threetime: GROUND-hog-day, GROUND-hog-day, GROUND-hog-day.

(I think they simply ran out of Strauss which is how we got Vivaldi FM for the next year or two.)

[gurnemanz]

Heh, gurnemanz - how was Kaufmann/CBSO/Nelsons last week?
(excuse the brief intrusion into your moans ladies & gentlemen)

Thanks for taking an interest. It was the first time we had heard a classical concert in the Symphony Hall and it was a great evening. The hall is marvellous and the CBSO played superbly under Nelsons. I'm sure Paris and Vienna, where they are doing the same works, will be suitably impressed. It was a nicely shaped concert with sea on each edge, starting with Britten's Sea Interludes and concluding with a virtuoso La Mer. The "dry land" in between consisted of Jonas Kaufmann in two late romantic song groups which could hardly have been more contrasting - the almost unbearable grief of "Kindertotenlieder" and the ecstatic rapture of R. Strauss. Both were brilliantly sung. Perhaps the Strauss songs were more powerfully communicated with Kaufmann really in his element and wowing the gallery.

[mw963]

If I'm at home in the mornings, I've recently taken to listening to WDR3 (streamed at 256 kbps via iTunes).

And not just WDR3 of course - the whole stable of German Classical Music Radio is up on Astra 1 (19 deg E) and doubtless on the internet too.

I found myself twenty years ago where you good folk are now, following the vandalism inflicted on our network by the wretched WRETCHED Kenyon. From 1992 to 1996 I "did without", grieving for the loss of those wonderful voices (Ruthven, Scotland, Barker etc) and the loss of that day-time diet of BBC Recordings and concerts, churned out of Maida Vale and the Concert Hall and the Regions, which gave both young and established artists the chance to air their expertise, contrasting with the (at times sterile) offerings on CD.

But then along came Astra Digital Radio and at least I had a source of music again. In my case the advantage of having only the most limited understanding of German is that I rarely have any idea as to whether I'm being patronised or not. But somehow I doubt it.

Whether by satellite or internet, give them a try

NDR Kultur
WDR 3
Bayern Klassik
SWR 2
MDR Kultur (although that's virtually stopped playing classical music)
SR Kultur (SR 2)
HR 2 (Hesse Radio)
Kulturradio

And as has been mentioned already, once one has "gone" one really "goes" for ever. I listen to Radio 3 once a week - for Choral Evensong ((a) because I enjoy it and (b) because Radio 3 can't really dumb it down) - and THAT IS ALL. If I do leave it on after 4.30 pm I'm away by 4.35 thanks to the ghastly Mr Rafferty.

It's all very sad and I have the greatest sympathy for you all, but sadly I don't think the current R3 set-up cares a jot for what we all think so my advice is to go elsewhere, as I did 16 years ago.

[Norfolk Born]

In my case the advantage of having only the most limited understanding of German is that I rarely have any idea as to whether I'm being patronised or not.

This raises the interesting question (well, it interests me! ) of whether a listener to Radio 3 who had only the most limited understanding of English would have any idea of whether he or she was being patronised or not. Said listener would surely be struck by the fragmented character of the musical items on offer and the constant chat about apparently unrelated issues.

[kernelbogey]

I enjoyed your post, mw963, and was interested to read this:

I found myself twenty years ago where you good folk are now, following the vandalism inflicted on our network by the wretched WRETCHED Kenyon. From 1992 to 1996 I "did without", grieving for the loss of those wonderful voices (Ruthven, Scotland, Barker etc) and the loss of that day-time diet of BBC Recordings and concerts, churned out of Maida Vale and the Concert Hall and the Regions, which gave both young and established artists the chance to air their expertise, contrasting with the (at times sterile) offerings on CD.

I also abandoned the station at that time, but had repressed the dates as part of the awfulness of the loss of those voices and the station style - so good to be reminded of them. (I seem to remember it as the time that Petroc Trelawny arrived - nuff said .)

Alas I've not the patience, technical know-how and kit to use Astra but I've made a note of those stations to explore on the net in the near future.

Now here's a thought - what about a thread for the names of such stations to be shared...?

[french frank]

Now here's a thought - what about a thread for the names of such stations to be shared...?

Mr Bowbrick is clearly sympathetic since he has started compiling such a list on his Twitter page.

Or is it a plot to get rid of the 'moaners', thus allowing R3 to slash its budget by turning into a 100% easy listening station?

[mw963]

This raises the interesting question (well, it interests me! ) of whether a listener to Radio 3 who had only the most limited understanding of English would have any idea of whether he or she was being patronised or not. Said listener would surely be struck by the fragmented character of the musical items on offer and the constant chat about apparently unrelated issues.

Probably the tone of the voice as much as anything. Someone mentioned the "Blue Peter" style of Radio 3, and on the one occasion recently when I heard a mid morning "brain teaser" that was EXACTLY what it sounded like.

"Did you get it?".

And that's the tone one rarely hears on German radio, apart from the odd time when even Bayern Klassik encourages calls from listeners. But those occasions are rare and avoidable.

[Domeyhead]

I enjoy the eloquent informed and often witty criticisms of current Radio 3 morning programme policy on this site. Can I urge all the correspondents who find the output and attitude of programme producers and editors as annoying as me to remember to save a couple of lines to email the programmes and complain (or praise, when it is due). The producers of BBC breakfast and Inessential Classics seem content to bask in hubris, buoyed up by constant sycophantic tweets (if the presenters are to be believed), so always complain, but complain constructively and keep complaining. If we are a majority we don't have to be silent.

[mw963]

I enjoyed your post, mw963, and was interested to read this:



I also abandoned the station at that time, but had repressed the dates as part of the awfulness of the loss of those voices and the station style - so good to be reminded of them. (I seem to remember it as the time that Petroc Trelawny arrived - nuff said .)


Alas I've not the patience, technical know-how and kit to use Astra but I've made a note of those stations to explore on the net in the near future.

Now here's a thought - what about a thread for the names of such stations to be shared...?

I'd gone by the time Mr Trelawny arrived; it only took a couple of editions in 1992 of "On Air" and "In Tune" (long before Mr Rafferty too) to send me packing. And the way in which those three announcers I mentioned were ejected told one all one needed to know about the new set up.

I must say we worried about John Drummond when he arrived but he was a staunch ally in comparison to Kenyon. And didn't they knight Kenyon in the end? No doubt Wright is awaiting his gong.

[mw963]

I enjoyed your post, mw963, and was interested to read this:





Alas I've not the patience, technical know-how and kit to use Astra but I've made a note of those stations to explore on the net in the near future.

I've had a quick tune round them just now and they're pretty much all doing something musical, and there's a good variety from Baroque through Chopin to Brahms and a bit of opera (a few minutes ago). And something rather German and oom-pah.

Very few bleeding chunks either.

[mw963]

but sadly I don't think the current R3 set-up cares a jot for what we all think so my advice is to go elsewhere, as I did 16 years ago.

I ought to add that my comment there should in no way be taken as diminishing the "fantastic" (sic) efforts made by French Frank and others to try and get the situation improved. Without your efforts the situation would no doubt be even worse, and your calm but relentless campaign no doubt at least pricks at Wright's conscience.

[cloughie]

This raises the interesting question (well, it interests me! ) of whether a listener to Radio 3 who had only the most limited understanding of English would have any idea of whether he or she was being patronised or not. Said listener would surely be struck by the fragmented character of the musical items on offer and the constant chat about apparently unrelated issues.

Or indeed wondered if they had tuned into a music stastion at all!

[kernelbogey]

Mr Bowbrick is clearly sympathetic since he has started compiling such a list on his Twitter page.

Thanks for the link, FF, though not quite sure how to navigate it: I presume I have to sign in to Twitter. Though not quite a Twitter virgin , I am somewhat inexperienced . Who is Mr Bowbrick?

[VodkaDilc]

And not just WDR3 of course - the whole stable of German Classical Music Radio is up on Astra 1 (19 deg E) and doubtless on the internet too.

I found myself twenty years ago where you good folk are now, following the vandalism inflicted on our network by the wretched WRETCHED Kenyon. From 1992 to 1996 I "did without", grieving for the loss of those wonderful voices (Ruthven, Scotland, Barker etc) and the loss of that day-time diet of BBC Recordings and concerts, churned out of Maida Vale and the Concert Hall and the Regions, which gave both young and established artists the chance to air their expertise, contrasting with the (at times sterile) offerings on CD.

But then along came Astra Digital Radio and at least I had a source of music again. .

This is a very interesting post. I have gradually reached the same position as mw963. I listen to Choral Evensong and the BaL section on Saturday mornings; most of the rest of R3's output simply irritates me.

I would value more information about Astra satellite radio. What does a potential listener need in order to receive it? An Astra satellite dish, presumably ... plus an additional box connected up to the hi-fi system? (I'd prefer to avoid the internet route.) Is a specialist installer needed? Or does the average satellite dealer know what's involved? I'm sure I can't be the only person who is grateful for mw's information and is keen to learn more.