Why Aren't There Any Shows Explaining How The Music Works?

[french frank]

I have this sense that the BBC/Radio 3 considers any sort of contribution by 'experts' to be 'daunting' and 'intimidating' to potential new listeners. And that this explains why TV celebrities who love classical music but don't know much about it are now preferred. Enthusiasm, and easy ideas like where I first heard Beethoven's 5th.

In case anyone thinks I'm being sarky, I'm really not: I think this is the case. RW also suggested that Discovering Music was cut in length to save money. DJ shows are about the cheapest music programming you can have, and now that Radio 3's content spend has fallen below Radio 1's I don't see how it's possible to maintain quality.

[Thropplenoggin]

Thropplenoggin, there is also a youtube recording of Keller discussing Mozart string quartets and quintets in a concert interval talk (split into two parts) here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6VxIIJWlyU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI04g...feature=relmfu

Oh, great. Thanks aeolium!

And thanks, FF, for offering some explanatory factors for the dearth of such programmes.

[doversoul1]

Listen to today’s Early Music Show. An expert talking to a specialist on the subject that can only be described as an extremely minority taste. There is still some life left in R3, just.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nwbtw

P.S. I know this is not about how music works but not that far off.

[mercia]

lots of books on music theory and analysis available
+ dictionaries, biographies & histories of music

[LeMartinPecheur]

I have this sense that the BBC/Radio 3 considers any sort of contribution by 'experts' to be 'daunting' and 'intimidating' to potential new listeners.

Well in that case, as usual, I've always had the wrong end of the stick! It was just that sort of programme that got me fascinated by classical music when I was in my teens. But at least today's yoof won't make the same mistake now Auntie Beeb and RW are protecting them from dangerous over-stimulation of the brain!

Where's the 'Doh' icon when you really need it??

<Doh><Doh><Doh><Doh><Doh><Doh><Doh><Doh><Doh><Do h>

[Thropplenoggin]

Listen to today’s Early Music Show. An expert talking to a specialist on the subject that can only be described as an extremely minority taste. There is still some life left in R3, just.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nwbtw

P.S. I know this is not about how music works but not that far off.

Thanks, doversoul. I'll check that out.

Mercia: true enough, but I was specifically seeking aural enlightenment via a critic or pedagogue, replete with judicious samples to highlight points being discussed, etc.

[french frank]

Well in that case, as usual, I've always had the wrong end of the stick! It was just that sort of programme that got me fascinated by classical music when I was in my teens. But at least today's yoof won't make the same mistake now Auntie Beeb and RW are protecting them from dangerous over-stimulation of the brain!

"We endorse Radio 3’s broad strategy to look for ways to be more accessible and welcoming. In their submission to this review, BBC management stated their intention to continue with this approach in order to encourage sampling amongst audiences. We believe there is some potential to extend the core audience to those who might appreciate the station’s distinctive and challenging offer but who are discouraged from listening by their perception that it can at times be inaccessible and daunting. Developing a welcoming tone, particularly in the breakfast and drive-time slots, will encourage these potential listeners to sample the high-quality programming on offer which will in turn increase Radio 3’s delivery of the public purposes."

We've pointed out to the Trust that there is something of a contradiction in saying that new listeners might welcome the distinctive challenge of Radio 3 if they didn't find it inaccessible and daunting ...

[richardfinegold]

On the radio scene, WFMT here in Chicago features a show on Sunday nights hosted by Henry Fogel ( former CSO President
And currently a critic for Fanfare) that is both entertaining and educational. Also on WFMT on weekdays is a great show called St Paul Sunday. I accessed WFMT easily on Internet Radio during my recent UK sojourn .
Throw, besides the aforementioned MTT shows, check out the CSO Website for thir "Beyond The Score" offerings.

[Thropplenoggin]

On the radio scene, WFMT here in Chicago features a show on Sunday nights hosted by Henry Fogel ( former CSO President
And currently a critic for Fanfare) that is both entertaining and educational. Also on WFMT on weekdays is a great show called St Paul Sunday. I accessed WFMT easily on Internet Radio during my recent UK sojourn .
Throw, besides the aforementioned MTT shows, check out the CSO Website for thir "Beyond The Score" offerings.

Thanks for the tip, Richard.

[mercia]

Bernstein explaining the Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVGBH8JmF5U&feature=related

[Ferretfancy]

The problem doesn't only lie with Radio. I worked on a number of excellent television documentaries made by the likes of Barry Gavin and Colin Nears which sought to bring some understanding of contemporary music to the audience. Alas, programmes like that simply don't get commissioned any more.
In an earlier time, who remembers the excellent programmes by Andre Previn and the LSO? There was also Bernard Keefe, who showed how symphonic music was constructed with the orchestra in the studio.

[Sir Velo]

More recently Channel 4, under the aegis of Jeremy Isaacs, commissioned the fine Sinfonietta series presented by Paul Crossley. Nothing remotely of this standard has been seen on this channel sadly, for years.

[amateur51]

More recently Channel 4, under the aegis of Jeremy Isaacs, commissioned the fine Sinfonietta series presented by Paul Crossley. Nothing remotely of this standard has been seen on this channel sadly, for years.

Stone me, I didn't see this the first time around - it's marvellously engaging AND informative and how right you are, sadly!

Many thanks for the link Sir Velo!

[french frank]

In answer to the thread title Why &c ...?, the BBC strategy proposals for making financial savings (Delivering Quality First, October 2011) included §2.1.2: 'some reductions to live music and music talks on Radio 3'.

This was, puzzlingly, under the section entitled Inspiring knowledge, music and culture.

[Sir Velo]

Stone me, I didn't see this the first time around - it's marvellously engaging AND informative and how right you are, sadly!

Many thanks for the link Sir Velo!

It was broadcast I think in the late 80s when I was cutting my teeth on 20th century music. I particularly recall a programme on Pierrot Lunaire which opened up a whole new world for myself and countless others. Sadly nothing appears to survive on YouTube except for the link to Renard (above) and a feature on Henze.