R3 'Game' theory?

[oddoneout]

"I don't know what kind of musical terms you had in mind but I suspect such an approach might not be seen as a good thing by those who have a particular audience(young and not into R3) in mind? "

That's probably right. Though having listened to This Classical Life (part of), which was a 20 year old presenter and a 28 year old guest talking abut their favourite music, followed by a 25 year old guest presenting his favourite music, followed by two gaming enthusiasts (most active single age group for gaming 15-24), and all five professional musicians, I did think more emphasis would be on the music itself, technical, interpretation and so on, rather than on personal tastes and peripheral discussion about the people themselves. But if you didn't want or expect that you might have been more interested than I was.

What I heard of 'Inside Music' seemed to contain a fair amount of information about the music. I'm not a Jacob Collier fan but he does have the advantage of being able to illustrate his comments by singing, or beating out rhythm - both of which he used for instance to introduce the Bulgarian singing.
As a series I will admit that this as one which disappointed many forumites, demonstrating once again the gap between what longstanding R3 listeners want to hear and what those in charge think the output should be. However there have been some good episodes in terms of engaging and competent 'presenters' and interesting choice of music - not just 'my favourite tunes'.
As to your last comment, yes I quite probably do have a more superficial approach to my listening requirements than you and so was able to get more enjoyment out of what I listened to, but even I would stop listening if more programmes decided to go down the 'This Classical Life' route as it currently exists.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

This any use?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b0wrpd

[Globaltruth]

Nick Luscombe used to regularly feature video game music when he hosted Late Junction.
In the context of a 90 minute music-exploration programme, the occasional track fitted well, although personally I never heard any that I wanted to hear again.

Seems odd that they have now cut LJ down to one episode a week and dropped NL, whilst introducing this.

Do they ever consider their demographic? Either existing or potential?
If so, I would love to know who the intended target audience is. Any guesses?
I've read a lot of this thread so I know who it isn't...

[Judith Robbyns]

"This any use?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b0wrpd "

Yes, thank you very much.That was the kind of content I expected from a Radio Three programme. It was informative and it focused on the music, and as far as I'm concerned it gave me enough information to form opinions and ask other questions .

1. The link between interactivity and the music was stressed (i.e. interaction with the game). This is an essential ingredient missing from a programme like the Sound of Gaming where there is no game.

2. Sound of Gaming referenced a number of different games with no explanation as to what these games were about or what the music related to. Enthusiastic gamers may know already, others don't - so there was little understanding of why the various bits of music were what they were.

3. Video games might appeal to people who like(d) playing endless games of computer Patience, Solitaire or Mah Jong. They are all ways of spending your spare time; others are available.

4. The most striking point that Tom Service made was that video game music is/could be a way into classical music. That is a BBC programme crying out to be made. The music of Wagner, Tosca as used in whichever games they were, leading directly to concert/opera house performance. What would be the point? To lead the gamer into the world of classical music, which, if the case, means a programme on Radio One, not Radio Three. Or even, perish the though, broadcast on television.

5. I still think the Sound of Gaming, aim and concept, is out of place on Radio Three. Much though the Listening Service programme was not one that I would (or did at the time) listen to, it did inform me about something without converting me. I'm left wondering what Sound of Gaming did for anyone other than allow gaming enthusiasts to enthuse about gaming.

[Judith Robbyns]

"What I heard of 'Inside Music' seemed to contain a fair amount of information about the music."

How much is 'a fair amount' in two hours? There were seventeen pieces (I don't think they played the Nico Muhly piece), most played in full - no announcing the music and then talking through it either. I found Jacob Collier a pleasant presenter. He has a good broadcasting voice and is very musically gifted and well-informed, irrespective of whether his own music is to one's taste. Yes, he illustrated some points like varying simultaneous rhythms and how he made his own track. But the basis of his choices was what the pieces meant to him: playing the Warlock in a newly formed school orchestra, singing one of the Three Boys in the Magic Flute, an archival recording of his grandfather playing the Britten Violin Concerto, performing in The Turn of the Screw. There simply was not time to say a great deal about any piece. He played what he liked and said why he liked it.

Back to The Sound of Gaming. That programmes said little about the music, The Listening Service did. And I think I've heard as much video game music to keep me satisfied for some time to come.

[oddoneout]

I enjoyed the programme. The music was extremely varied and much of it attractive and I certainly didn't find that they talked more about the games than the music. I'm not a games player so was almost completely unaware that the Games Industry offered so much work to musicians.

In the course of looking up something else I came across this

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/aug/22/video-games-music-industry

[Serial_Apologist]

In the course of looking up something else I came across this
https://www.theguardian.com/games/20...music-industry

While no fan of video games myself - (what would you say to St Peter of The Pearly Gates fame when he asks "What did you spend your life doing?) - if the music associated with them is of good quality, and another kind of gateway into listening to classical music, I can't see any justificable objection to the genre. Is it so different from ballet music performed separate from the stage action?

[oddoneout]

This offers specific examples of the suggestion I made in an earlier post that it probably wouldn't be difficult to get fans of game music listening to (as perceived in certain quarters)'real/classical' music.

https://www.lacedrecords.co/blogs/news/video-game-music-is-a-wonderful-gateway-to-classical

I hadn't realised that the R3 programme is another 'copy CFM' exercise

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/sep/03/how-video-game-music-waltzed-its-way-on-to-classic-fm-soundtrack-awards

This

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2018/08/25/video-game-music-just-good-introduction-classical-music-children/

is a poorly written article but there are a couple of worthwhile comments, and the basic idea of making links/closing gaps is always worth considering.

I think exposure to orchestral music in all its forms is a fantastic thing

Earlier this year, the RPO worked with Play Station to create a concert programme dedicated to popular computer game music.
“That attracted a fascinating audience, many of whom had never been to a live concert before,” he said. “There is a whole spectrum of new opportunities for orchestras.”

[doversoul1]

While no fan of video games myself - (what would you say to St Peter of The Pearly Gates fame when he asks "What did you spend your life doing?) - if the music associated with them is of good quality, and another kind of gateway into listening to classical music, I can't see any justificable objection to the genre. Is it so different from ballet music performed separate from the stage action?

Apologies for going off the subject of the thread but I am completely ignorant in the field: Is music being composed or commissioned for new production of ballet? And if it is, is the music ever performed independently in concerts of for CDs? When we talk about ballet music, is it not mostly the works that are established as works of music?

[MrGongGong]

Apologies for going off the subject of the thread but I am completely ignorant in the field: Is music being composed or commissioned for new production of ballet?

yes

And if it is, is the music ever performed independently in concerts of for CDs?

Yes

When we talk about ballet music, is it not mostly the works that are established as works of music?

Depends on who the "we" you talk about is.

Music has many contexts (you knew I was going to say that ....today I was programming a concert of music intended for, and largely composed by, people with extremely diverse hearing including those who have hyperacusis)

[doversoul1]

yes




Yes



Depends on who the "we" you talk about is.

Music has many contexts (you knew I was going to say that ....today I was programming a concert of music intended for, and largely composed by, people with extremely diverse hearing including those who have hyperacusis)

Let’s say Radio 3's listeners. We are after all talking about game music on this thread in the context of Radio3.

[MrGongGong]

Let’s say Radio 3's listeners. We are after all talking about game music on this thread in the context of Radio3.

I'm not sure what you are getting at here ?

Yes, there is plenty of music that is made for one context then is used in others.

I heard a bit of this the other day while travelling and found it interesting, it's not an area of music i'm very familiar with so interesting to hear more.

[peterthekeys]

Sound of gaming

I turned off the first episode of this after about ten minutes; this week, I'm forcing myself to sit through it. Can't say that it's proving an enjoyable experience.

I don't know if I'm unique in this - but whenever I play a video game (tends to be an infrequent occurrence), the first thing I do is disable the music, or if that isn't possible, turn the volume down to 0. I just find that the music gets in the way (either because it's so bad, or because it seems to be trying to manipulate me into a particular attitude/mood (or both.)) Listening to this programme just seems to confirm that view.

Come back Matthew Sweet and Sound of Cinema - all is forgiven ...

[oddoneout]

I have no interest in the games, but I am enjoying hearing the music. I don't think I could listen while gaming though, I know that my ability to concentrate on a task if music has caught my attention is poor - singing along to the car radio is definitely not on!
There is already a place for this topic but I couldn't find it, and in any case wouldn't be able to move these posts - can some kind capable person do the necessary?

[Judith Robbyns]

I listened to the first programme (twice). Having satisfied myself that I have some idea what 'game music' is I am not inclined to find out more and shall in future have no difficulty in thinking of other music to listen to in preference. Also, the programme reinforces the view that one is not obliged to listen to the radio all the time, and it would only be sheer inertia that would make me continue listening (if I had been listening, but I only listen to Inside Music occasionally to check that it is still really just people choosing some music that they like).