Roger Wright moves to Aldeburgh Music

[french frank]

A couple of quick thoughts on this:

Lord Hall’s quotes prioritising the Arts are encouraging if taken as evidence of intent, rather than as merely a Whitehall-facing attempt to re-position the Beeb upmarket in advance of charter renewal.

Yes, much easier to say what you intend/would like to do. Though my guess is that quite a lot is already 'in hand'. as in 'feelers have been put out'.

On the question of who succeeds RW as Controller of Radio 3 & Proms Director, it remains to be seen whether the two roles will remain amalgamated as at present, or if it’ll be “back to the future” with separation of powers as in the 80s.

I don't think that's quite accurate. When was the same person offered both posts at the same time? It may seem that they have finally become amalgamated because RW has held both for longer than anyone else. The pattern had been established to accept one (Radio 3), then the second as well (the Proms) and give up Radio 3 within two or three years. I don't recall when anyone stepped into both at the same time - indeed, wasn't Drummond the first to hold both posts? Neither Glock nor Ponsonby were ever Controllers of the Third/R3.

On the minus side, under recent BBC supremos this checklist would probably have damned him as being far too knowledgeable & accomplished for a role in which he’d have to acquiesce in moving downmarket,

The assumption there is that some BBC 'supremo(s)' , rather than the incumbent, were responsible for the strategy. I personally don't believe that. I believe that both Kenyon and Wright considered the policy was the principle strategy that the said 'supremos' would approve of. That isn't the same as being 'forced' to go downmarket.

Maddock must be in the frame.

[french frank]

Slight amendment to the above:

Drummond held post for a total of 9 years, with 5 years in the middle holding both (1986-1995).
Kenyon had a total of 11 years, but only 2/3 holding both (1996/98)
Wright has had a total of 16 years, holding both posts for 7 of them.

[Honoured Guest]

Many forthcoming Arts programmes were detailed yesterday so we have a very good idea of the immediate plans.

The whole idea is to bring Arts programming into the mainstream. Talk of "upmarket" is snobbish and is counter to the belief that this BBC Arts programming will be strong enough to have wide appeal. This is Tony Hall's personal drive, and politicians are likely to be very sceptical of it because it may be perceived as "upmarket", and so alienating to many electors, whereas it is intended to make quality Arts accessible to all!

I just hope that the BBC has made the right call on the content to be broadcast. Much of the new programming is televised versions of core productions from flagship arts companies. This is much cheaper than wholly original programming, and it has the "accessibility" virtue of making the work of Arts Council-funded companies available nationwide. However, it goes completely against the contemporary grain of television programmes being made completely for television, not adapted from the theatre. Let us see how they turn out and how they are received and by whom ...

The new Controller, Radio 3, Director, BBC Proms and i/c of the four English Performing Groups will be constrained by the Directors of Music and Arts, and so will not be responsible for the overall strategy, whatever the situation at various points in the past.

[french frank]

The new Controller, Radio 3, Director, BBC Proms and i/c of the four English Performing Groups will be constrained by the Directors of Music and Arts, and so will not be responsible for the overall strategy, whatever the situation at various points in the past.

Alan Yentob once held the position of 'BBC Director of Arts and Music' . I hear he was really feared by the radio controllers - couldn't keep him out of their offices with his new ideas.

[Honoured Guest]

Maggie Brown on Tony Hall's BBC Arts proposals: http://www.theguardian.com/media/med...botage-ratings

Steve Hewlett on Radio 4's The Media Show starting now may also be worth an ear: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yqcwn

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

"that this BBC Arts programming will be strong enough to have wide appeal."

Well, thats surely the ENTIRE history of art in one handy nugget? If it don't go "wide"...well, later for that babes.

And I've got a top Doctorate in Art Stuff. (Univ South Totnes).

[jean]

...Talk of "upmarket" is snobbish...

Indeed it is.

Who has used the word?

[Honoured Guest]

Indeed it is.

Who has used the word?

I was responding to #224.

[MrGongGong]

And I've got a top Doctorate in Art Stuff. (Univ South Totnes).

You are Sam and I claim my £100 ?

[french frank]

Indeed it is.

Who has used the word?

I don't agree that it has anything to do with 'snobbery'. What one person sees as a statement of fact, another person takes exception to. Let's agree to call it 'elitist' then.

[french frank]

Back to Proms Director and Controller of Radio 3, article in BBCMM suggests this will be two separate posts: "The BBC has announced that recruitment for both posts will take place in due course."

[DracoM]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dv9hq

Worth listening to today's The Media Show maybe? First item.
Feisty exchanges on the announcements. Seems not everyone is 100% convinced, whatever the fine words may have been!

[Flosshilde]

Let's agree to call it 'elitist' then.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dv9hq

Worth listening to today's The Media Show maybe? First item.
Feisty exchanges on the announcements. Seems not everyone is 100% convinced, whatever the fine words may have been!

I could barely hear that programme above the "scratch" of vital arts applications and submissions being rapidly drafted...and re packaged.


Grim up N.Charlotte Street.

Hilarious.

[Flosshilde]

Back to Proms Director and Controller of Radio 3, article in BBCMM suggests this will be two separate posts: "The BBC has announced that recruitment for both posts will take place in due course."

Well, they are (at the moment*) seperate posts. I don't think that that neccessarily suggests that they will be filled by different people.


* There's nothing to say that in the future it couldn't be a single post - 'Controller of Radio 3 and the BBC Promenade Concerts'.