Oh dear

[Alison]

Petrushka said earlier in the year that the jury is still out on Petrenko and I agree with him.

Extracts sound good because of the orchestral playing and general energy. Play the whole performance and you get something more ordinary.

[oddoneout]

I find the TS situation frustrating because his subject matter is often of interest but his presenting style I find so off-putting that I just can't listen, and end up feeling resentful at missing out. Concert appearances are managed by means of the mute or volume button and guesswork... He reminds me a little of Brian Blessed - rather wearing in anything other than small doses. A Marmite character possibly but better that, from both his and the Beebs point of view, than indifference perhaps?
In the forum context it is not so different from strong views about the merits or otherwise of a given composer.

[Alison]

Saturdays effort did leave the feeling that TS is getting even worse.

[jayne lee wilson]

I felt that, as there are two opposing views, it would be fruitful if the two "sides" exchanged roles: if those who consistently criticise should address the fact that, in Jayne's words, he 'informs, educates and entertains'; and Jayne should address the view that the rest find his delivery gives them problems. The two points of view seem to move along parallel lines. The arguments aren't mutually exclusive so why do people feel so strongly?

I have addressed that very point more than once, specifically referencing HC Robbins Landon, who exhibited a similar blend of vast knowledge, great articulacy, but whose excitement and enthusiasm often produced a rushed, breathless (and in HCRL's case, very staccato) delivery. I recall him being taken to task for this on Radio 3 at the time in an interval talk, something like "I do wish he'd brush up his delivery!"I can't remember who said it though.

But what is there to address? If you simply can't bear the physical experience of listening to a given presenter, I guess you'll switch off a some point; as I have little trouble with this specific much-mentioned example, I just want to stand up for the guy, for all the aforesaid reasons. I do find enthusiasm, however OTT it can get, a very winning quality, especially in Classical Music commentary. Mea Culpa etc.

But there's a deeper mystery to all of this, in why we react so differently to the sound of a voice and the way it shapes its articulation through the air, one which possibly relates to a similarly subjective physiology of musical responses....

[french frank]

You did indeed mention Robbins Landon, though only, if I recollect, to say you had no problem with him either. You may have touched on the vital point when you say, "I do find enthusiasm, however OTT it can get, a very winning quality." For a lot of people the juxtaposition of OTT and 'winning' seems irreconcilable. Perhaps, in the end, it really is down to different temperaments. Though, on balance, it would seem in this case that an adjustment of the delivery would leave both sides content. Perhaps?

[jayne lee wilson]

You did indeed mention Robbins Landon, though only, if I recollect, to say you had no problem with him either. You may have touched on the vital point when you say, "I do find enthusiasm, however OTT it can get, a very winning quality." For a lot of people the juxtaposition of OTT and 'winning' seems irreconcilable. Perhaps, in the end, it really is down to different temperaments. Though, on balance, it would seem in this case that an adjustment of the delivery would leave both sides content. Perhaps?

Maybe those of us who are addicted to TV sport are far more used to a highly excitable and enthusiastic delivery ! Its very much part of the experience, essential to our involvement, part of some of our most treasured memories....even more so now that Football for example is almost exclusively a TV experience with overlaid crowd effects...
Watching a game without the crowd noise can be very flat, even dispiriting. Even the commentators seem to find it hard to get going.

As I say, I do think these reactions are profoundly, deeply physiological, in some ways analysable, but also reaching back into our hidden, out-of-reach, unconscious memory banks...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Saturdays effort did leave the feeling that TS is getting even worse.

Saturday’s conversation was one of his worst. Sometimes, perhaps when he follows a prepared script, he can be more than acceptable. This wasn’t such an occasion.

[french frank]

Maybe those of us who are addicted to TV sport are far more used to a highly excitable and enthusiastic delivery ! Its very much part of the experience, essential to our involvement, part of some of our most treasured memories....even more so now that Football for example is almost exclusively a TV experience with overlaid crowd effects...

I'm reliably informed that when I enter a room the temperature drops by several degrees.

[jayne lee wilson]

I'm reliably informed that when I enter a room the temperature drops by several degrees.

Don't be so hard on yourself FF.........its all part of Life's Rich Pageant....

[teamsaint]

I do get that his delivery can be, or is, irritating , but R3 needs to be a triumph of substance over style.

Picking up on Jayne’s point, some might say that Jonathan Pearce was ahead of his time.

[Padraig]

I'm reliably informed that when I enter a room the temperature drops by several degrees.

I would call that 'Making an Entrance', f f, a quality much admired in the best circles.

[french frank]

Don't be so hard on yourself FF.........its all part of Life's Rich Pageant....

You assume I'm putting myself down. I had a friend who worked for a while at MI6 and he said I'd make a good spy because I could walk in anywhere and no one would notice me. Some people said they felt really sorry for me - but I thought it one of the most satisfying things anyone had said about me

[Leinster Lass]

Do you pause to wonder how can it be that (apparently) so many people think differently? I would, though I have no feelings one way or the other as Radio 3 is now a quietly closed book. Alternatives available

This is sarcastic?
(Perhaps I didn't read your message carefully enough! )

[french frank]

This is sarcastic?

Not intended, but just as well to move on

PS Team - Jonathan Pearce supports City. Up the Gas! (Is that right?)

[Leinster Lass]

Not intended, but just as well to move on :smiley:

PS Team - Jonathan Pearce supports City. Up the Gas! (Is that right?)

'Still feeling my way', said the Laid-Back Irish Lass ....