Building a Library - General Discussion

[BBMmk2]

Indeed - but it just seems very recent. Also, is it not actually possible to do a BAL even in these strained circumstances? I've heard that the BBC SO has been putting together a performance of a piece using iPhones or similar - not sure when it'll be released. That must surely be a larger exercise than doing a BAL - even though that's quite a lot of work. Some small choirs have certainly managed to put recorded performances together, for example as noted in the Gramophone Gala a few nights ago.

Ingenious solutions and determination!

Indeed it is. I think though, surely, the reviewer can send in a recording of their findings, without having to do a two-fer?

[ChrisBennell]

I'm minded to compare BAL with Composer of the Week, and the way that is managed. Donald Macleod does a fantastic job week after week, largely solo, and broadcasts for 5 hours a week. Each weekend apparently, he has a parcel of CDs delivered to his house to use for a future programme, and as I understand it, each programme is recorded well in advance. I really do not understand why BAL cannot be operated in a similar way. Perhaps R3 should put Donald in charge of it!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm minded to compare BAL with Composer of the Week, and the way that is managed. Donald Macleod does a fantastic job week after week, largely solo, and broadcasts for 5 hours a week. Each weekend apparently, he has a parcel of CDs delivered to his house to use for a future programme, and as I understand it, each programme is recorded well in advance. I really do not understand why BAL cannot be operated in a similar way. Perhaps R3 should put Donald in charge of it!!

Precisely, though even CotW has been moving towards being a chat show.

[DracoM]

Indeed it is. I think though, surely, the reviewer can send in a recording of their findings, without having to do a two-fer?

Absolutely. As i indicated - I think this has to do more with AMcG than BAL.

[LHC]

I'm minded to compare BAL with Composer of the Week, and the way that is managed. Donald Macleod does a fantastic job week after week, largely solo, and broadcasts for 5 hours a week. Each weekend apparently, he has a parcel of CDs delivered to his house to use for a future programme, and as I understand it, each programme is recorded well in advance. I really do not understand why BAL cannot be operated in a similar way. Perhaps R3 should put Donald in charge of it!!

This may be an aberration of my memory, but I am sure this was how BAL used to be produced, and that this section was invariably recorded before the broadcast (and sometimes even recorded in the critics own home). It is only since the advent of the twofers that this has been a live broadcast. There is absolutely no need for a conspectus of current recordings to be live, so there should really be no problem in having it recorded in the week before broadcast. The only reason for continuing with the twofer format appears to AMCG’s desire to insert himself into every part of the Programme.

[Nick Armstrong]

This may be an aberration of my memory, but I am sure this was how BAL used to be produced, and that this section was invariably recorded before the broadcast (and sometimes even recorded in the critics own home). It is only since the advent of the twofers that this has been a live broadcast. There is absolutely no need for a conspectus of current recordings to be live, so there should really be no problem in having it recorded in the week before broadcast. The only reason for continuing with the twofer format appears to AMCG’s desire to insert himself into every part of the Programme.

I suspect it’s largely due to the simplicity of just recycling recordings of recent BALs though it’s tempting to think that they also fear drift from the apparently fully-embraced new ‘twofer’ brand (and that people will remember how good the solo analyses are)

[BBMmk2]

I suspect it’s largely due to the simplicity of just recycling recordings of recent BALs though it’s tempting to think that they also fear drift from the apparently fully-embraced new ‘twofer’ brand (and that people will remember how good the solo analyses are)

Quite so. My opinion too. They won’t be returning to those, anytime soon.

[DoctorT]

BaL has for over 40 years been part of my Saturday morning routine. It had educated and informed me and helped me to build my own reasonably comprehensive library. By refusing to find ways of producing new editions the BBC has caused my interest to wane. I wonder what the audience figured are, and how many people will return after lockdown. Or perhaps BaL will not return after its summer break?

[DracoM]

Completely applaud every word.

Given the sophistication of modern 'at-home' technology, the BBC's world-leading skill and resources etc, it seems utterly inexplicable as to why they have not chosen - and it has to be choice - to commission new BAL's.

As a growing number have suggested - is this a basically an in-house prob with AMcG and how 'he' sees his 'essential' involvement in the wretched, wretched twofer format?

[mikealdren]

I not only agree but I have missed it all the more during lockdown when I would have greatly appreciated a weekly dose of BaL which I have listened to avidly since the 1960s.

[gurnemanz]

BaL doesn't lend itself to recycling. You can't win:

If you go back too far it obviously excludes more recent recordings and can become irrelevant by including recordings which are no longer available.

Recent ones are less interesting for being still fresh in the memory, like today's Dichterliebe.

Conclusion: If they can't summon up the ingenuity to produce some new ones they might as well abandon BaL altogether.

[DracoM]

Indeed, and the longer they delay the decision to re-appraise and re-commission, the more likely it is that listeners / learners will simply drift away and lose interest. It really isn't a very difficult decision surely?

I mean, if 'The Archers' can re-think their 'revisiting' guff within weeks of starting it, then surely R3 can do similar? Yes, it takes time, but............

RR is one of the central jewels in the R3 crown. To let it founder - which is more or less what they are doing - while deceiving themselves that they are performing a service, the more the whole prog drifts into irrelevance - as Gurnermanz so forensically points out above.

Of course, I fully acknowledge that at a time when many / most ensembles CANNOT record, there are fewer new releases etc, and it may be that re-cycling may be the only way they can see the future of the next six or so months. OK, yes, the odd repeat is legit, BUT you're not telling me that there are NO pieces that have eluded BAL, and which might become targets for future NEW BALs?

[oddoneout]

Indeed, and the longer they delay the decision to re-appraise and re-commission, the more likely it is that listeners / learners will simply drift away and lose interest. It really isn't a very difficult decision surely?

I mean, of The Archers ' can re-think their 'revisiting' guff within weeks of starting it, then surely R3 can do similar? Yes, it takes time, but............

RR is one of the central jewels in the R3 crown. To let it founder - which is more or less what they are doing - while deceiving themselves that they are performing a service, the more the whole prog drifts into irrelevance - as Gurnermanz so forensically points out above.

Of course, I fully acknowledge that at a time when many / most ensembles CANNOT record, there are fewer new relases etc, and it may be that re-cycling may be the only way they can see the future of the next six or so months. OK, yes, the odd repeat is legit, BUT you're not telling me that there are NO pieces that have eluded BAL, and which might become targets for future NEW BALs?

Isn't there quite a long gap between recording and releasing so the effect of recording sessions not happening now will be felt next year onwards rather than this year? To what extent has the recording preparation and release process been affected by working restrictions?
For some works there are so many recordings that many get missed out, some of those omissions causing considerable comment. Perhaps the lists could be revisited and re-ordered into say historical, HIPP, categories as appropriate to include at least some of those omissions, and then it would become a 'revised repeat'.
It is hard though to avoid the suspicion that 'they' wouldn't be too concerned if RR(at least in a worthwhile stand alone format) was dropped, or become subsumed into another 'show', as programmes are increasingly and annoyingly called.

[Barbirollians]

I'm minded to compare BAL with Composer of the Week, and the way that is managed. Donald Macleod does a fantastic job week after week, largely solo, and broadcasts for 5 hours a week. Each weekend apparently, he has a parcel of CDs delivered to his house to use for a future programme, and as I understand it, each programme is recorded well in advance. I really do not understand why BAL cannot be operated in a similar way. Perhaps R3 should put Donald in charge of it!!

Good point

[Nick Armstrong]

For me, the prob looks like AMcG wishing to be part of everything. He sees it as 'his' show.

Well he relinquished it this morning....