What does the future hold for the BBC Orchestras?

[Flosshilde]

I think the BBC recognises that each of the Performing Groups has its own specific field of importance: there are three "regional" orchestras (if the BBCNOW and BBCSSO will forgive the term in this context) and two London-based orchestras which all have very distinct remits. There isn't just the question of providing routine concert-fodder for Radio 3: there is outreach work in their regions and the provision of regular live concerts.

The BBCSO has a different remit from that of the BBC Phil in that the BBC/R3 can oversee its programming and use its specific expertise for new commissions and less familiar repertoire. It isn't dispensable just because London has several other symphony orchestras.

Perhaps one of the two London-based orchestras could be moved to a 'region' that has limited access to orchestral music? The South West of England, perhaps? This might not help if BBC funding is cut, but it would be a response to the 'why does the BBC need two orchestras in London' argument.

[Tony Halstead]

Perhaps one of the two London-based orchestras could be moved to a 'region' that has limited access to orchestral music? The South West of England, perhaps? This might not help if BBC funding is cut, but it would be a response to the 'why does the BBC need two orchestras in London' argument.

Hmmm... I fear that I am not 'competent to comment' but I have a 'rather faded' memory of a plan many years ago to 're-locate' the Bournemouth S.O. to Bristol... maybe our esteemed colleague Hornspieler might comment?

[french frank]

Perhaps one of the two London-based orchestras could be moved to a 'region' that has limited access to orchestral music? The South West of England, perhaps?

Could we put in a bid for the Symphony Orchestra? (In fact the Concert Orchestra might be replaced by The John Wilson Orchestra.)

But I don't know why anyone is discussing changes to the PGs just on the grounds that a newspaper hack has set a hare running

Tony - the BSO was regarded (here) as 'based' at the Colston Hall - until they built The Lighthouse.

[teamsaint]

When (because unless those in government change their minds about these things and i'm not holding my breath ) the BBC stops being funded by the TV licence and is forced to become one of many commercial organisations I don't think it will be possible to keep all the performing groups (or Radio 3).

Sadly, the area of broadcasting that IS a duplicate of the commercial offering (which Radio's 1 & 2 aren't really) is the abomination that is "local radio", but we aren't going to loose that unfortunately.
When my children were at school and there was a possibility of a 'snow day' we were told to 'listen to local radio for information' something that is possibly responsible for my unstable mental state in later life

Bbc local radio, for all its faults , is a vital lifeline for huge numbers of people, and performs an important role in keeping those people connected to their community.

From time to time they also do useful work on music too.

This is not replicated in commercial radio

[subcontrabass]

Could we put in a bid for the Symphony Orchestra?

The sad thing is that Bristol had one of the BBC orchestras in the past. One of my contemporaries from school joined the BBC Training Orchestra when it began in 1964 (later moving on the orchestra of WNO).

[MrGongGong]

Bbc local radio, for all its faults , is a vital lifeline for huge numbers of people, and performs an important role in keeping those people connected to their community.

From time to time they also do useful work on music too.

This is not replicated in commercial radio

That's what they keep telling us
But I don't think it's true any more


and

This

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11630643/A-critics-plea-stop-all-arts-funding-now.html

is a very popular (and ridiculously ignorant) view these days.

[teamsaint]

I listen to bbc local radio for sport,and quite often hear it by chance when I am out and about.
There is some good content,(as well as some ordinary stuff).
There are some excellent presenters, and what I hear isn't the BBC telling me how vital this service is,what I hear is people using a service that interconnects them to a generally too disconnected world.
It's not high art of course,usually.......

[pastoralguy]

But I don't know why anyone is discussing changes to the PGs just on the grounds that a newspaper hack has set a hare running

.

Hang on!

We are living in an era where all bets are off. Most of the cutbacks we have seen so far are merely the tip of the iceberg. This includes the BBC whose funding is bound to be under scrutiny in the next five years. Orchestras, no matter how hardworking or celebrated, are expensive to run and are seen as being expensive baubles designed to appeal to 'arty farty' types.

This threat is NOT without precedence. Remember the plans to disband the BBC Orchestras in the early 80's?! Frankly, I'll be really surprised if at least two of the corporations Orchestras are no more in five years time.

[johnb]

I agree Ferret. Why on earth attack the BBCSO, what have they done to deserve 'they should be the first to go'. Opinions may differ on the musicianly/artistic merits of orchestras but why go further than that?

Back in the 2000s, my impression was that the BBC SO was a ... err ... 'difficult' orchestra and (safely cocooned in the BBC) the standard of its performances used to be 'variable' to say the least. Some ten years ago I took a friend (who often went with me to the LSO concerts) to a BBC SO Mahler concert and she turned to me afterwards and said "they have all the appearance of not giving a damn".

Back then I would have heartily agreed with DracoM, however things have improved markedly over the last decade and I now think his remarks unfair.

[french frank]

Orchestras, no matter how hardworking or celebrated, are expensive to run and are seen as being expensive baubles designed to appeal to 'arty farty' types.

It's certainly true that 'What you spend your money on is extravagance' but 'What I spend my money on is not excessive': on those grounds the orchestras are 'expensive' in some people's eyes.

But last year the total cost for all the performing groups, including Infrastructure and Support was £29.2m. There is surely more fat to be cut from the £1.5bn spent on BBC One.

[pastoralguy]

Oh I completely agree, but, alas, we're preaching to the converted here.

One of the points raised in that ridiculous article that appeared in the Torygraph is that why should people who don't 'consume' the arts pay for them? Well, I don't 'use' schools and I have no interest in firing a gun or driving a tank* but I appreciate that they are necessary for society to function. Alas, we live in a society where the arts are under valued and are regarded as having no more than snob value. What can we do?

(* Mind you, if someone offered...!)

[Conchis]

There is a lot of Tory triumphalism around at the moment, of which the Telegraph article (much shared on social media) is typical. You'd think this government had a three figure majority from some of the rubbish that is being written.

However, I don't believe that Cameron 2 is any more philistine than any other government we've had in the last forty odd years.

[Tony Halstead]

There is a lot of Tory triumphalism around at the moment, of which the Telegraph article (much shared on social media) is typical. You'd think this government had a three figure majority from some of the rubbish that is being written.

However, I don't believe that Cameron 2 is any more philistine than any other government we've had in the last forty odd years.

any other government we've had in the last forty odd years. 

Hmmmm... I have been a staunch Labour supporter for the whole of my 'voting life' ( 52 years or so) but I have sadly been underwhelmed by Labour's 'support' for the arts over many years.

[Conchis]

any other government we've had in the last forty odd years. 

Hmmmm... I have been a staunch Labour supporter for the whole of my 'voting life' ( 52 years or so) but I have sadly been underwhelmed by Labour's 'support' for the arts over many years.

Labour's attitude to the arts, particularly since Blair, has left much to be desired. They don't like what they perceive to be 'high art' (theatre, opera, etc) as it's 'elitist.'

I think all parties would be happier if we all just like the bread and circus stuff.

[MrGongGong]

However, I don't believe that Cameron 2 is any more philistine than any other government we've had in the last forty odd years.

I hope you are right
but i'm not so sure

The problem with this lot is that they really do feel they have a 'mandate' to do whatever they like and it seems to be policy to put people in charge of things they don't believe in.