A good presenter

[Suffolkcoastal]

The present regime doesn't care much about the music at all between 6.30 and 12. I see the weekend breakfast playlists have been left half finished yet again, just to prove how unimportant the music they play is.

[Norfolk Born]

What the BBC's focus on the role of the presenter has done is to move attention away from the musical content of the programmes, so that there are more threads here about presenters rather than what is being presented. For me a 'good' presenter will be an unobtrusive one who swiftly and concisely (and accurately) conveys the relevant information about the performance. I don't really want to notice the presenter at all, just the music. Which is why programmes like Breakfast and Essential Classics, which are really constructed around the presenter and guests, with the music as a kind of afterthought (and so much of that is endlessly recycled music) are of so little interest to me. I would like to get back to a period - there must have been one - when no-one gave a damn who the presenter was.

I agree 100%.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

They all manage to sound like primary school teachers.

That's a dreadful slur on primary school teachers.

[VodkaDilc]

That's a dreadful slur on primary school teachers.

Especially the one who was on just as I tuned in for Irving Berlin at 12 today. She has a vaguely northern accent as well as the 'talking down' tendency. I no longer listen to R3 before 12, so I don't know her name.

[Don Petter]

"'Smiley voice' affectation" is a brilliant description of that dreadful modern radio phenomenon. I don't know how they do it. I can't imitate it, even if I try, any more than I can finish sentences that aren't questions on a rising inflexion?

Strangely enough, I suppose they could both be termed 'Bruceisms'. (One Fiona and the other antipodean.)

[VodkaDilc]

Strangely enough, I suppose they could both be termed 'Bruceisms'. (One Fiona and the other antipodean.)

Does that mean we can expect: "Nice to see you; to see you, nice."?

[Don Petter]

Does that mean we can expect: "Nice to see you; to see you, nice."?

No bonus for you - He's neither a Fiona or antipodean.

(Though he might do no worse at running R3 mornings?)

[VodkaDilc]

No bonus for you - He's neither a Fiona or antipodean.

(Though he might do no worse at running R3 mornings?)

Antediluvian, perhaps.

[kernelbogey]

A rather jolly piece from Dowland there - must have had a good day. - Ian Skelly

[Quarky]

What the BBC's focus on the role of the presenter has done is to move attention away from the musical content of the programmes, so that there are more threads here about presenters rather than what is being presented. ...... I would like to get back to a period - there must have been one - when no-one gave a damn who the presenter was.

Found Ian Skelly's selections much more interesting today than previously, although I'm having difficulty correlating the items played with the playlist as announced. I assume it was the Ravel string quartet that caught my attention - more demanding than the average Breakfast piece, followed by a piano piece -what was that I wonder?

Freely admit that my tastes are not those of the median R3 listener, and I don't like loud bang crash wallop orchestral pieces, particularly first thing in the morning. However on turning to Radio 6, I find the presenter is entertaining us with details of what he had for breakfast, and how he ate it off the breakfast table.

So it seems I am unlikely to find my perfect Breakfast show.

[french frank]

A rather jolly piece from Dowland there - must have had a good day. - Ian Skelly

Is that what IS said?

I must say, that's my idea of quiet Radio 3 humour

[doversoul1]

Westminster Waltz by Robert Farnon
Rather more harmonious that the House of Common these days…. (Ian Skelly)

I am actually listening to Breakfast on weekdays for the first time in several months. There are still a lot of bits and chunks of music but that’s probably the nature of the programme. There are NO ‘when I was doing this and that…’ sort of emails. The listeners’ comments are (almost) all musically relevant. Even Your Call has been from organisers of music festivals. I even get an impression that it was the programme that called the ‘caller’ rather than the other way round, from the way the ‘caller’ sounded not terribly forthcoming.

Louise Fryer will be presenting the rest of the week.

Perhaps we should bump up the Eternal Breakfast thread.

[kernelbogey]

Is that what IS said?

I must say, that's my idea of quiet Radio 3 humour

Mine too - and that's what I heard.

[underthecountertenor]

Mine too - and that's what I heard.

So did I. Just like the old days at their best. It's the sort of thing Tom Crowe might have said.

[underthecountertenor]

Louise Fryer is taking over from tomorrow. I like her style, but I'll miss IS.