In Tune

[amateur51]

Should Radio 3 be broadcasting a programme for the 'only partially attentive audience' (french frank's excellent phrase). Isn't that what CFM's licence says they will do?

Why compete?

[french frank]

Should Radio 3 be broadcasting a programme for the 'only partially attentive audience' (french frank's excellent phrase). Isn't that what CFM's licence says they will do?

Why compete?

There are listeners who want to half listen ON RADIO 3! They don't want to half listen on CFM ...

[teamsaint]

I do force myself to listen to In Tune from time to time. This is for two reasons. Firstly I happen to think that a decent magazine programme like this could be part of a mix of quality programming, and so I am interested in what Ron and the team are up to. Secondly, they do have some decent live performances,from time to time.
It seems to me that the current time slot is, in general well suited for its alloted task of a mixed content,entry level programme, give that many people are travelling, doing chores and so on.
The live music mix of slightly eclectic small scale works is reasonably appropriate for a schedule of shorter pieces.
I enjoy the varied mix that includes world, folk , jazz etc, and I think the show would benefit from more depth in these areas.lets face it,there are plenty of acts needing the publicity, so no shortage of performers available.this ought to fit with wider R3 remits, I would think.
In my perfect world, the show would include a much bigger element of arts and music news, reviews and comment, and far less time given to interviews with performers, which are seldom enlightening. Arts and music news and comment are sadly lacking elsewhere on R3 in my opinion. The show could also be a great place to reintroduce Discovering Music, perhaps as a taster for the evening concert.
In short, it just needs imagination, thought, energy, and musical nouse.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Haven't listened to the programme for years so can't comment on the present format. It might be good to hear from people who do listen and like it what they're doing at the same time - driving/travelling home from work? getting the evening meal? Why do they enjoy it as it is? Should the scope just be (classical) music? Could the live (perf & interview) element not be on earlier in the afternoon, in a separate programme? If not a 'dumping ground' is it too much of a mixed bag to satisfy the usual, only partially attentive, audience?

I confess - oh, the shame, the shame! - to being a regular In Tune listener as I drive home for some 50 minutes. Quite often the air turns blue as I swear at my un-favourite presenter (on duty this week) for inanity, condescending smarminess to guests, forcing his views down their throats etc. I could go on! Sometimes I turn him off and try to turn back on just as the music starts - one perfect 'hit' tonight

Other presenters don't usually bug me particularly, though an exception was the totally ludicrous discussion by a female presenter of a guest's 'blingy' shoes a week or two back (firmly and deservedly rebuked hereabouts).

So why do I continue listening? Well, I hate the adverts on CFM so very rarely go there, and I do like most of the music (some major exceptions!), am interested in the general arts news and can be interested in guest interviews if the compere asks sensible questions, and actually listens to the answers without using them as a springboard to launch another motormouth load of cliches

A better choice might be to use the car's CD player more. Keep meaning to do this (might even get through my big pile of unplayed BBC MM discs...) but my car interior has no proper CD storage. But if things get much worse than today it will become very tempting!

[ahinton]

I confess - oh, the shame, the shame! - to being a regular In Tune listener as I drive home for some 50 minutes. Quite often the air turns blue as I swear at my un-favourite presenter (on duty this week) for inanity, condescending smarminess to guests, forcing his views down their throats etc. I could go on!

You might have an accident! The police might even recommend the creation of a new offence of driving while under the influence of - er - um (no names mentioned). I'd avoid it while commuting if I were you!

[Tony Halstead]

I am interested in what Ron and the team are up to.

I thought the 'compere's name was Sean...who is this 'Ron'?

[teamsaint]

I thought the 'compere's name was Sean...who is this 'Ron'?

Yup, thats the chap, Ron Shafferty.

(C). member Pastorarguy, IIRC !!

[french frank]

I happen to think that a decent magazine programme like this could be part of a mix of quality programming [...] It seems to me that the current time slot is, in general well suited for its alloted task of a mixed content,entry level programme, give that many people are travelling, doing chores and so on.
The live music mix of slightly eclectic small scale works is reasonably appropriate for a schedule of shorter pieces.
I enjoy the varied mix that includes world, folk , jazz etc, and I think the show would benefit from more depth in these areas.lets face it,there are plenty of acts needing the publicity, so no shortage of performers available.this ought to fit with wider R3 remits, I would think.

The programme seems to be a more varied mix of music and general content than it was: 'broadcasting wisdom' is that you stick with the same presenter(s) for years on end because people 'identify' programmes by the presenter. This seems to me wholly wrong for Radio 3, and whereas in some cases this might be the practicable solution, for this programme the station could revert to using a rotating group of half a dozen or more: why hasn't the very experienced Paul Guinery been given a chance? Or John Shea, Jonathan Swain, Catriona Young - [or Catherine Bott?] - people who are usually buried on Through the Night, a single weekly programme or reading the news. The Radio 3 nonsense has been that some people are grossly underused, and others overused. Familiarity, certainly in some cases, breeds contempt, apparently.

In my perfect world, the show would include a much bigger element of arts and music news, reviews and comment, and far less time given to interviews with performers, which are seldom enlightening. Arts and music news and comment are sadly lacking elsewhere on R3 in my opinion.

There used to be recorded interviews, which were more substantial, with the most distinguished performers. I'm not specifically a cheerleader for Petroc, but I think he would do well with that sort of 'roving brief' - interviewing chosen guests outside the studio.

The show could also be a great place to reintroduce Discovering Music, perhaps as a taster for the evening concert.

- Again, both Paul G and John Shea are professionally performing musicians (pianists). Why not let them try - SERIOUSLY - with some programmes. Radio 3 does have access to a piano, doesn't it?

[James Wonnacott]

I thought the 'compere's name was Sean...who is this 'Ron'?

I'm pleased you asked that, I was wondering but didn't like to ask!!

[teamsaint]

Sorry for any confusion.

It would be interesting to know what level of input Ron and Suze have in terms of the show's style and content.

[kernowvectis]

Mr Rafferty has for some time given me the impression of a white-haired, well-meaning but bumbling old uncle, who is continually embarrassing other members of the family by his antics, but they have not yet summoned up the courage to tell him to go home.
Some parallels, perhaps, with the recent history of Bruce Forsyth.

[EdgeleyRob]

I confess - oh, the shame, the shame! - to being a regular In Tune listener as I drive home for some 50 minutes. Quite often the air turns blue as I swear at my un-favourite presenter (on duty this week) for inanity, condescending smarminess to guests, forcing his views down their throats etc. I could go on! Sometimes I turn him off and try to turn back on just as the music starts - one perfect 'hit' tonight

Other presenters don't usually bug me particularly, though an exception was the totally ludicrous discussion by a female presenter of a guest's 'blingy' shoes a week or two back (firmly and deservedly rebuked hereabouts).

So why do I continue listening? Well, I hate the adverts on CFM so very rarely go there, and I do like most of the music (some major exceptions!), am interested in the general arts news and can be interested in guest interviews if the compere asks sensible questions, and actually listens to the answers without using them as a springboard to launch another motormouth load of cliches

A better choice might be to use the car's CD player more. Keep meaning to do this (might even get through my big pile of unplayed BBC MM discs...) but my car interior has no proper CD storage. But if things get much worse than today it will become very tempting!

I gave up on this and breakfast ages ago,just can't bear to listen any longer.
Drive to and from work was getting too stressful listening to such a crock of.......

[Old Grumpy]

I confess - oh, the shame, the shame! - to being a regular In Tune listener as I drive home for some 50 minutes. Quite often the air turns blue as I swear at my un-favourite presenter (on duty this week) for inanity, condescending smarminess to guests, forcing his views down their throats etc. I could go on! Sometimes I turn him off and try to turn back on just as the music starts - one perfect 'hit' tonight

Well your in luck this evening then - according to Petroc, Ron is indisposed and someone else is depping for him (sorry can't remember the name).

I do listen to In-Tune during my commute (approx 1 hour). I find it interesting with a good mix of musical genres. On the whole I enjoy the artist interviews and find them illuminating. The one thing that makes me turn the Radio down is live renditions of some (relatively) modern opera excerpts, which (IMV) should be spoken and not sung!

OG

[LeMartinPecheur]

Well your in luck this evening then - according to Petroc, Ron is indisposed and someone else is depping for him (sorry can't remember the name).

I heard that delightful news too, but I'm working at home today so probably won't be listening!

Now, is that a or a ?

[LeMartinPecheur]

Familiarity, certainly in some cases, breeds contempt, apparently.

No, not familiarity,ff, incompetence!