BaL 19.05.12 Gesualdo

[Nick Armstrong]

Exactly. The host isn't going to be of any value either way, so why have him in BaL at all?

[rank_and_file]

ferneyhoughgeliebte

No, I do believe that Gesualdo’s music should have exposure, as I suggested as a part of CD Review, or, more obviously perhaps, Early Music, or even as a separate programme - if the schedules and programmes did not seem to be set in concrete! However, it is not appropriate for the classic Building a Library format - and of course that goes for many composers whose works are not well represented in the CD catalogues.

What I am slightly worried about is that these “special” editions of Building a Library is just a way of the BBC Radio 3 cutting production costs. I am absolutely open to contradiction from anyone with hard facts but, as a pure guess, perhaps Tess Knighton gets a £75 one-off appearance fee, and McGregor comes “free” as I presume he is freelance or staff? Again, as a complete guess, to do a proper Building a Library there will be hours of listening research and writing a script for the 45 minute or so slot and a fee of £250 to £500 plus would seem more appropriate?

As I have said, the above figures etc are guesses but you see my thrust: more so-called “specials” and less proper Building a Library formats in the future - something I think most of us would prefer not to experience.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

No, I do believe that Gesualdo’s music should have exposure, as I suggested as a part of CD Review, or, more obviously perhaps, Early Music, or even as a separate programme - if the schedules and programmes did not seem to be set in concrete! However, it is not appropriate for the classic Building a Library format - and of course that goes for many composers whose works are not well represented in the CD catalogues.

But Building a Library is a section of CD Review in which recordings of works are recommended for anyone who is, well, building up their collection of great works of Music. By putting Gesualdo in a different part of CD Review - or in a different programme altogether - you are suggesting that he isn't suitable for treatment on [I]BaL[I]. The Early Music Show is a specialist programme, BaL is more general: should a discussion on the best available CDs of Music by Webern be similarly restricted to Hear & Now? Or to a separate space on CDR?

Having said that, I agree with the main thrust of your argument (although I'm not convinced by your figures, and I'm pretty sure that there was a lot of research and even script-writing for this BaL) - one reviewer introducing his/her choice of outstanding recordings is a more satisfactory format than a stream of "Oh isn't it wonderful!" ejaculations.

Best Wishes.