Simon Heffer presenting British music throughout June: Saturday Classics

[french frank]

To certain members it matters a lot, seemingly, or is that only on certain programmes??

Certain programmes which have been specially designed to appeal to 'new listeners', which must avoid anything faintly esoteric and which take up rather a large portion of the classical schedule - especially at the most popular listening times.

I have just listened again to one of the originals and whilst SH does alright it is noticeable that for certain pieces, if not composers, he gives credit to the producer, the already mentioned Finzi's By Footpath and Stile being one such discovery.

I'm not sure what your point is. In the bit I heard he talked about the music and didn't waste time attempting to interact with listeners. Of course, he teams up with his producer.

Perhaps we are in the land of the eternal R3 question how much of any playlist is down to the presenter, the producer, the guest, the Facebooker, the texter or the Fweeter?

We are down to whether presentation is knowledgeable and serious (in the sense of 'not frivolous or trivial').

And to add, more succinctly: it's not who presents but how presented.

[teamsaint]

it's not only about how something is presented, and not who is presenting though, I think. Certain people are definitely off limits for presenting, (or even having their music played on the BBC).
A judgement is being made by the BBC about the suitability of a particular presenter, and not just their ability to do the job.

[amateur51]

it's not only about how something is presented, and not who is presenting though, I think. Certain people are definitely off limits for presenting, (or even having their music played on the BBC).
A judgement is being made by the BBC about the suitability of a particular presenter, and not just their ability to do the job.

I think it goes beyond mere suitability, teams, for SH is being actively promoted as a presenter, it seems to me. If that is the case, what is that the BBC believes he is 'bringing to the offer'?

I'm just keen to avoid another Jolly James situation where someone with no presentational experience was brought in and kept on in spite of bringing little of distinctive value (positively) to 'the offer' in my opinion.

[antongould]

?........ Of course, he teams up with his producer.

We are down to whether presentation is knowledgeable and serious (in the sense of 'not frivolous or trivial').

And to add, more succinctly: it's not who presents but how presented.

Oh dear slapped down again......many apologies.

I think probably SH is being groomed, as Ams suggests, because as I said above, he is right wing Telewag and we need a bit of that in the mix.

I, listening again, found his style whilst not unpleasant a little plodding. He seemed, to me at least, knowledgeable but, and, I stand to be corrected, more happy with English male composers than females and composers from the other parts of the UK, although Dame ES did make a very nice appearance.

I think the R3 should use this slot, and maybe others, for this type of show but move wider and bring in really knowledgeable, if amateur, presenters such as Suffolkcoastal on the US Dream and Vinteuil on anything that will give him a bit of R3 he can listen to!!

[french frank]

Oh dear slapped down again......many apologies.

Oh, dear - it's for me to apologise if that's how what I said came over to you

I think probably SH is being groomed, as Ams suggests, because as I said above, he is right wing Telewag and we need a bit of that in the mix.

I'm not sure I would go that far (well, I am, actually: I wouldn't ) unless you think the mere fact of presenting a programme about British music is somehow 'right' wing'.

I, listening again, found his style whilst not unpleasant a little plodding.

More or less the impression I was given by RW, quoting (some) listeners who had commented.

He seemed, to me at least, knowledgeable but, and, I stand to be corrected, more happy with English male composers than females and composers from the other parts of the UK, although Dame ES did make a very nice appearance.

Yes, something of a brief nod at the other nations, but mainly English and mainly of the period for which 'English music' perhaps emerged at its most characteristic - a few decades on either side of the turn of the century. Hence not many women.

I think the R3 should use this slot, and maybe others, for this type of show but move wider and bring in really knowledgeable, if amateur, presenters such as Suffolkcoastal on the US Dream and Vinteuil on anything that will give him a bit of R3 he can listen to!!

Unlikely to happen as far as 'amateur presenters' (= knowledgeable people you haven't heard of) are concerned. The idea was that the presenters should be in some measure 'musically qualified' to present (unlike the guests on Essential Classics). But it seems to be a fact that several enthusiasts of 'English Music' (Heffer, Boris Johnson, Roger Scruton) seem likely to frequent the same clubs, to put it delicately ...

[french frank]

Good heavens! Why on earth would you cringe? They are American; they are flying an American flag. Surely nothing unusual there.

You've answered your own question: "There's a chap two villages away who has a flag in his garden all the time, I think.". So, rather an unusual thing to do even in your neck of the woods?

Suspicious of what? There's a chap two villages away who has a flag in his garden all the time, I think. I'm sure he's getting on for 90. He still gardens a bit and occasionally you see him. Pleasant, sensible, decent and always good for a chat. A thoroughly nice old gent, as far as I know.

I'm sure he is. But I'm suspicious of anyone who feels the need to announce to the world that they're 'British and proud of it' - even if they are. And, pace your example, people don't fly flags in their gardens in this country: the ones who do are the odd ones out.

And returning to that bow tie, clicking on Cali's link in the OP, it does rather hit you in the eye and in doing so, I think, is rather the equivalent of flying a flag in your garden . But then, I don't wear T-shirts with public messages either. (Not ever since the Philadelphia experience in New York )

[amateur51]

And there you have it, french frank - why the Union flag is seen by many as synonymous with 'England' ; and why the public faces associated with it are generally seen as being white, male,'right-wing' and of the upper classes.

I should also remark that it has not been my impression of the British music enthusiasts on FOR3

[Nick Armstrong]

I don't wear T-shirts with public messages either. (Not ever since the Philadelphia experience in New York )

Now thereby hangs a tale, if I'm not mistaken.... My mind is racing....

[amateur51]

Now thereby hangs a tale, if I'm not mistaken.... My mind is racing....

What's you money going on, Caliban? Philadelphia the city? ... or the cream cheese?

[Nick Armstrong]

What's you money going on, Caliban? Philadelphia the city? ... or the cream cheese?

[french frank]

What's you money going on, Caliban? Philadelphia the city? ... or the cream cheese?

I've told it before, damn you! I stayed with a friend in Philadelphia and did all the Old Philadelphia tourist sites where I bought a tasteful burgundy T-shirt, plain but for the word 'philadelphia' in small white letters stretched across the front. The second 'i' had a tiny cracked liberty bell instead of a dot over it. I took it with me for a weekend in New York, thinking to give the impression that I was sort of all-American rather than sticking out as the raw limey tourist that I was.

Walking down Fifth Avenue a girl and a chap walked past me, the girl gazing at my front, and was heard to distinctly comment, incredulously, in some sort of broad New York accent, "Why would anyone wanna TELL people they've been to Phila-DEL-phia?"

Remember? It was a good story

Which is why I prefer not to parade messages to the world. On British Music, however, this was the present from my brother for my recent birthday: I prefer the image to the bow tie:

[amateur51]

I've told it before, damn you! I stayed with a friend in Philadelphia and did all the Old Philadelphia tourist sites where I bought a tasteful burgundy T-shirt, plain but for the word 'philadelphia' in small white letters stretched across the front. The second 'i' had a tiny cracked liberty bell instead of a dot over it. I took it with me for a weekend in New York, thinking to give the impression that I was sort of all-American rather than sticking out as the raw limey tourist that I was.

Walking down Fifth Avenue a girl and a chap walked past me, the girl gazing at my front, and was heard to distinctly comment, incredulously, in some sort of broad New York accent, "Why would anyone wanna TELL people they've been to Phila-DEL-phia?"

Remember? It was a good story

Which is why I prefer not to parade messages to the world. On British Music, however, this was the present from my brother for my recent birthday: I prefer the image to the bow tie:

It's the way you tell them, french frank

You've had a birthday?!

Why weren't we told?

I hope it was a good one

[french frank]

Why weren't we told?

You were. One or two were kind enough to wish me a happy one. Actually, if I remember, I posted (here) in (non)reply to some Breakfast tweet asking if it was anyone's birthday. Fortunately, no one passed on this piece of news to Breakfast

Anyway, I will say that I find Butterworth's music incredibly evocative and, yes, 'English. (And I do know that it's all in the mind)

[EdgeleyRob]

You were. One or two were kind enough to wish me a happy one. Actually, if I remember, I posted (here) in (non)reply to some Breakfast tweet asking if it was anyone's birthday. Fortunately, no one passed on this piece of news to Breakfast

Anyway, I will say that I find Butterworth's music incredibly evocative and, yes, 'English. (And I do know that it's all in the mind)

Me too ff.

Belated birthday wishes.

Mine was on the 7th of May (I know,same as Brahms and Tchaikovsky) but I try to keep birthdays low key these days.

[Nick Armstrong]

Belated Happy Ones to Frenchie and Rob

Do try and keep up at the back, Ammy

(I missed it too.... )