Through the Night

[Suffolkcoastal]

I think TTN has gone somewhat downhill recently, the same works seem to be recycled more frequently and some works have been recycled every month in the same performance or so for several years. Recently the 'popular classics' seem to popping up more frequently as have 'chunks' from works. Often the last hour or so contains more 'popular classics' to deliberately lead into that ghastly Breakfast show. Still TTN remains to some extent among the last bastions for serious classical music lovers on R3.

[Norfolk Born]

I'm afraid you're right on all counts - still, the mixture is still more nutritious than the dog's dinner that 'Breakfast' has become.

[Lateralthinking1]

Interesting comments today. So I was partially right and partially wrong. That tends to be the way.

The programme makes more sense now that the way it is put together, and broadcast, has been described. There was an odd moment just after 5am when it sounded like it was coming to an end - "thank you all for listening and I hoped you found it enjoyable" or something along those lines - and then it continued for another two hours.

I thought it in the main relaxing. Is this a good thing? Probably yes. It was still stimulating - the right balance for that time. It made me realise just how inundated we are with the news and noise "24/7" almost everywhere else. And I like the idea that it is broadcast to several countries, not that this would always be appropriate for the daytime.

There is a hint that the standard might be slipping. That would be a pity. Overall, though, I gather from the comments that TTN could be placed on that rare list of things that have improved. Better to have broadcasting during those hours than none at all and it in some respects symbolizes how R3 used to be. I noted how some even choose it for daytime listening rather than listening to the programmes provided. Perhaps then it could be introduced into future discussions with the BBC as a reference point?

While I will certainly be listening again, I don't intend to wade in further to the debate. I thought though that a bit of discussion might be helpful. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. I feel that I have learnt a lot.

[marthe]

I'm a big fan of TTN, which, for me, starts at 8PM and lasts well past my bedtime. Since we have very little over-the-air classical broadcasting here (New England) anymore, TTN has filled a big void for me. Of course it means listening streamed through my computer speakers, but the quality and variety of selections (overall) as well as the low-key announcing makes this an enjoyable listening experience. Yes, there are repeats of popular classics, but there have been little-known gems as well. Where else could I hear the music of Flemish composer August De Boeck who was my grandmother's voice teacher at the conservatoire in Brussels (circa 1900-1906)? Keep up the good work. Because of the 5-hour time difference, I never hear the end of the program, or Breakfast, for that matter, therefore I can't comment about the content or format of Breakfast compared with TTN.

[greenilex]

Could we persuade some international consortium or national broadcaster to stream TTN and a new TTD back to back 24/7?

Wallpaper maybe, but it's my pattern...

[Lateralthinking1]

People would flock back.

[kernelbogey]

Whatever shortcomings individual nights of TTN may have, its blessed advantage is that the announcements are brief and entirely about the music being played. I'm sure there are radio stations like this elsewhere - there was a public broadcasting station I used to listen to in Conneticut on visits in the '80s that did just that. Does anyone posting here know of any that do broadcast and stream more or less continuous music?

[french frank]

I think TTN has gone somewhat downhill recently

The recycling certainly a matter of saving money. This was mentioned as 'loss of quality' in the submission to the Trust but it isn't the kind of quality that had a Trust tick box so it wasn't acknowledged.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

except when there is opera on the go TTN is now the best thing about £3, some of the chamber music recitals are stunning ... and the jazz content has increased notably of late ....

[Serial_Apologist]

Wonderful Monteverdi Vespers from 12.38 to 2.04 on TTN last night - probably serendipitous, burt just the right follow on from Jazz on 3.

[Don Petter]

Whatever shortcomings individual nights of TTN may have, its blessed advantage is that the announcements are brief and entirely about the music being played. I'm sure there are radio stations like this elsewhere - there was a public broadcasting station I used to listen to in Conneticut on visits in the '80s that did just that. Does anyone posting here know of any that do broadcast and stream more or less continuous music?

kb,

I echo your enthusiasm for many of the American stations. Here are four that I know of and listen to by streaming:-

Vermont Public Radio

http://vpr.net/programs/service_vpr_classical/

WCPE, Raleigh, North Carolina

http://www.theclassicalstation.org/

WGBH, Boston

http://www.wgbh.org/995/playlist.cfm?rstation=AllClassical&guide=1

KUSC, Los Angeles

http://www.kusc.org/

[kernelbogey]

kb,

I echo your enthusiasm for many of the American stations. Here are four that I know of and listen to by streaming[....]

Don, many thanks - I'll give those a try over the next few weeks.

This morning John Shea presented two hours (0430-0630) of music entirely for the violin - a simple but effective programming idea. He's a witty presenter too - has me laughing out loud sometimes, no mean achievement at, say, 3 am - and everything he says is about the music, or the composer: perfect.

[kernelbogey]

I listened to quite a lot of TTN last night (26th) and the two previous nights, noting therein the transition from John Shea's hosting to Jonathan Swain's. It seems to me that, together with Susan Sharpe, they provide model announcements and back-announcements - precisely what we need instead of all the chat, solicitation of emails and texts etc so amply bemoaned on other postings on this board.

If you fancy a whacky treat of the kind that TTN seems to specialise in - where else on the station would you hear anything like it? - try 0339 on 26/9/11: Louis Andriessen Le voile de boheur.

I love the programme for this wonderful eclecticism.

[Roehre]

I listened to quite a lot of TTN last night (26th) and the two previous nights, noting therein the transition from John Shea's hosting to Jonathan Swain's. It seems to me that, together with Susan Sharpe, they provide model announcements and back-announcements - precisely what we need instead of all the chat, solicitation of emails and texts etc so amply bemoaned on other postings on this board.

If you fancy a whacky treat of the kind that TTN seems to specialise in - where else on the station would you hear anything like it? - try 0339 on 26/9/11: Louis Andriessen Le voile de boheur.

I love the programme for this wonderful eclecticism.

I agree 100% regarding TtN's wonderul eclecticism and I love the programme for it as you do, kernelbogey.

But a lot of recycling is going on. The Louis Andriessen piece is approximately the only one of this composer to feature in TtN, and it has been broadcast some 4 or 5 times by now the last two years approximately.
If you keep an eye for a couple of months on what's actually programmed, you'll see that quite a lot of music gets this recycling-treatment, to mention a couple from recent weeks: Beethoven's trio opus 11 with an oboe, Enescu's Isis, this Andriessen, Meersemaecker's funeral march, Ratio pieces, Suchon pieces, to mentio some from the top of my head.

Nevertheless, also IMO one of the best programmes on R3

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

remarkable innit the one they probably try least hard to do ....