Through the Night

[french frank]

... so as long as the basic what, by whom, performer(s) details are correct (and knowing how to check those doesn't have to require vast breadth of knowledge) that, together with competence in speaking and presenting, is all that is necessary

So that takes care of most of Radio 3's current classical output then.

[smittims]

With respect, oddoneout, 'all that is necessary' isn't necessarily all that is desirable. I have not yet discovered if she knows anything about classical music. I think a Radio 3 presenter, considering how much of our money he/she is paid , should display knowledge and understanding.

I wasn't criticising her, merely asking . She may be an expert for all I know. I just wanted to know. I've had enough of highly-paid presenters who say 'now we're gunna play you a Mozart horn concerto. It's the one in E flat'. or who play 'Tallis' Canon' thinking it's the 'theme' Vaughan Williams used for his Fantasia, or who introduce 'Vaughan Williams' third pastoral symphony' , or who play two movements of a Mozart concerto and then the first movement of the 'Emperor' and think they've played us a complete piano concerto, or who follow Vaughan Williams' Fantasia withthe remark 'lovely bit of Brahms' Requiem there'. (these are all actual instances).

[french frank]

I think a Radio 3 presenter, considering how much of our money he/she is paid , should display knowledge and understanding.

I have a feeling the R3 presenters aren't paid all that much compared with what the BBC refers to as "talent" (= those who are well-known or celebrities in their own right and who attract listeners purely on the basis of who they are, not what they know).

[Serial_Apologist]

But DJ copes well with the Shipping Forecast.

Fair enough!

[Quarky]

Point of information:
Danielle Jalowiecka (winner 2003) graduated with a first class degree in recorder performance from the Royal College of Music in London. She continued her studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she had a number of works written for her by the Australian composer, Ian Shanahan. She formed a recorder quartet, i Flautisti, which has performed in a number of venues. She is now primarily a newsreader and presenter on Radios 3 and 4.

[Bryn]

Point of information:
Danielle Jalowiecka (winner 2003) graduated with a first class degree in recorder performance from the Royal College of Music in London. She continued her studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she had a number of works written for her by the Australian composer, Ian Shanahan. She formed a recorder quartet, i Flautisti, which has performed in a number of venues. She is now primarily a newsreader and presenter on Radios 3 and 4.

See #749 for link to source.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have a feeling the R3 presenters aren't paid all that much compared with what the BBC refers to as "talent" (= those who are well-known or celebrities in their own right and who attract listeners purely on the basis of who they are, not what they know).

With the huge number of highly qualified musicians who haven’t quite made it as performers/composers, I don’t think there’s any excuse for not finding articulate/knowledgeable people to fill their beloved “presenter” roles.

[french frank]

See #749 for link to source.

And just before that #748 for the identical link to the source, following my own quote of the relevant section. I missed out the first few words to avoid having to explain that DJ was winner of the Bath Young Musician competition in 2003

Still, can't be said too often

[Serial_Apologist]

With respect, oddoneout, 'all that is necessary' isn't necessarily all that is desirable. I have not yet discovered if she knows anything about classical music. I think a Radio 3 presenter, considering how much of our money he/she is paid , should display knowledge and understanding.

I wasn't criticising her, merely asking . She may be an expert for all I know. I just wanted to know. I've had enough of highly-paid presenters who say 'now we're gunna play you a Mozart horn concerto. It's the one in E flat'. or who play 'Tallis' Canon' thinking it's the 'theme' Vaughan Williams used for his Fantasia, or who introduce 'Vaughan Williams' third pastoral symphony' , or who play two movements of a Mozart concerto and then the first movement of the 'Emperor' and think they've played us a complete piano concerto, or who follow Vaughan Williams' Fantasia withthe remark 'lovely bit of Brahms' Requiem there'. (these are all actual instances).

We sometimes seem to be split, on this forum, between those who want informed presenters and those who don't appear to want presenters to present more than the most basic of information, in the mistaken view that the latter approach accords with what we are now missing from Radio 3, as she once was.

[Quarky]

See #749 for link to source.

Thanks - I didn't spot your post.

[Bryn]

With the huge number of highly qualified musicians who haven’t quite made it as performers/composers, I don’t think there’s any excuse for not finding articulate/knowledgeable people to fill their beloved “presenter” roles.

I don't think the musical background of any Radio 3 presenter is difficult to find via the Internet. They vary considerably but most indicate the likelihood of a good general 'art music' knowledge, though varying in specialisms. That said, even the best of them can make the occasional 'blooper'. Debussy's Chansons de Bilitis is a notorious trap.

[Bryn]

Thanks - I didn't spot your post.

No harm in repeating the information.

[french frank]

With the huge number of highly qualified musicians who haven’t quite made it as performers/composers, I don’t think there’s any excuse for not finding articulate/knowledgeable people to fill their beloved “presenter” roles.

The point is I don't think R3 is targeting listeners who want to know anything about the music or composers. The target audience is happy just listening to music. And presenter input about odds and ends with a few listener anecdotes makes just the right mix. This is just not the Radio 3 we knew and loved, and which we listened to for much more than background entertainment.

[french frank]

Thanks - I didn't spot your post.

And Bryn didn't spot mine! Or at least didn't spot that I'd posted the link.But. I am determined to take the credit for this piece of valuable information, now so well-known to everyone.

[kernelbogey]

I think it is particularly unfair to use this thread about TTN for generalised kvetching about R3 presenters in general. My experience, over several years of dipping into TTN during (often extended) periods of insomnia, is that John Shea, Catriona Young and Jonathan Swain make skilled use of the very limited time at their disposal for commentary. The space for continuity announcements is tightly managed. Often the remarks are witty, generally well-informed, and avoid the well-rehearsed anecdotes about familiar pieces. I also would say it is a showplace for often unusual or infrequently played works.