What does the future hold for the BBC Orchestras?

[french frank]

In the new Radio Times, out today, (£2.00 from all good retailers)' has a Q&A with Alan Davey, Controller of Radio3.

You're also responsible for the BBC Orchestras and Choirs. How secure is their future?

"Their future is secure. They all have roles we can defend. We need to talk more about the BBC Performing Groups and what they do, not just on air, which is a key part or Radio3 and Radio2, but also the contribution they make to the musical life of the country, with concerts that might not be broadcast. They travel to places that otherwise wouldn't be served by orchestras".

(I hope this doesn't breach copyright!)

I was just about to quote that, pg.

The full article is here: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-...your-questions

[gradus]

'They all have roles we can defend'. The gipsy's warning! How unsettling.

[teamsaint]

orchestras are no doubt the same in business fundamentals, other than the fact that they receive a very substantial part of their income from public subsidy, as other businesses.
I wish the business I work for, which provides valuable employment in a" creative" industry, and which exports a good deal of its product, received the same percentage of subsidy as UK orchestras.
Then we could hold onto our best young employees a bit longer, perhaps.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I would move the BBC Phil to Yorkshire ! No chance after the BBC 's big Salford move .

I would support such a move.

[MrGongGong]

I would support such a move.

That's settled then

It's cultural desert up there innit

http://www.operanorth.co.uk

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

That's settled then

It's cultural desert up there innit

http://www.operanorth.co.uk

Ugh! So black and white.

[MrGongGong]

Ugh! So black and white.

[verismissimo]

Five traditional orchestras. Of authentic performance / HIPP or whatever you call it - NONE!

[french frank]

Five traditional orchestras. Of authentic performance / HIPP or whatever you call it - NONE!

You would need to have a sixth orchestra, since converting one to HIPP would deprive one audience or another. They aren't just Radio 3 orchestras.

I'm not sure why pg, in quoting the RT article, put 'is' in bold?

Q. You’re also responsible for the BBC orchestras and choirs. How secure is their future in this time of austerity?

A. Their future is secure. [ … ]

I'm told that was the deal when he was appointed. It isn't as if the BBC spends much of its budget on the arts and music. Under Thompson it was cut back disproportionately, according to the Ofcom Annual Report at the time.

[Sir Velo]

You would need to have a sixth orchestra, since converting one to HIPP would deprive one audience or another. They aren't just Radio 3 orchestras.

I'm not sure why pg, in quoting the RT article, put 'is' in bold?

Q. You’re also responsible for the BBC orchestras and choirs. How secure is their future in this time of austerity?

A. Their future is secure. [ … ]

I'm told that was the deal when he was appointed. It isn't as if the BBC spends much of its budget on the arts and music. Under Thompson it was cut back disproportionately, according to the Ofcom Annual Report at the time.

Don't these guys "cut" the backing music to BBC programmes etc? I can see a compromise whereby they will need to earn more for the corporation through session work/outreach etc.

Politically it wouldn't make sense to cull either BBCNOW or BBCSSO (particularly the latter). The BBC Phil is currently the most acclaimed artistically and the SO is the flagship. The Concert has its own niche so hard to see which would be first for the chop.

[Honoured Guest]

Three years ago, an independent Review of the BBC Performing Groups was published. There's a link to it a the end of the attached Blog. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/abouttheb...7-43303eab89e9

[Observation Postr]

That told you

Now any other players in the "Fantasy Orchestra" game?

How about we build a new concert hall in London? It's not as if there is ANYWHERE at all in the UK for Orchestras to play

A very serious possibilty which could affect many orchestral players, their families and their loyal adherents.

Must we put up with this flippant off-post sparring between certain members of this forum?

This is NOT a time for scoring smart-alec points when people's livelihoods are at possible risk.

[MrGongGong]

A very serious possibilty which could affect many orchestral players, their families and their loyal adherents.

Must we put up with this flippant off-post sparring between certain members of this forum?

This is NOT a time for scoring smart-alec points when people's livelihoods are at possible risk.

I wasn't "scoring" anything
and mine IS one of those at risk

[bluestateprommer]

Not sure how worth it that it is to revive this thread, but the header seems quite appropriate to recent developments. The Musicians' Union had this recent post:

https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/take-action-to-stop-job-cuts-at-bbc-orchestras-and-protect-the-bbc-singers-after-september

Found it from this Twitter thread, FWIW (one of the few things worth finding on Twitter these days):

https://twitter.com/WeAreTheMU/status/1643261354550206464

But as a side note, if it means anything, it isn't just too many years of Tory government that laid the land and sea mines for this situation. The Vienna RSO is apparently facing potential existential issues (again, if the subtext is understood) related to austerity in Austria:

https://rso.orf.at/en/node/4621

[pastoralguy]

My goodness! I’d forgotten about this thread. Lots of water under the bridge since it started.