Simon Heffer presenting British music throughout June: Saturday Classics

[antongould]

........

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)

So do I ff, and if it's all in the mind - how is it all in the mind?

[teamsaint]

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.

Cat out of bag, ER. I'll remember yours now, very close to a family one....
Brahms and Tchaik eh? Brilliant.

[Serial_Apologist]

Brahms and Tchaik eh? Brilliant.

Whereas Brahms and Liszt? Recoverable from.

[teamsaint]

its rhyming for " Boris Bike", I think, S_A.

[Flosshilde]

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.

At least they haven't sunk to the depths of CFM who employed a Tory ex-cabinet minister who was better known for wearing football kit during amorous escapades than for his musical knowledge.

[Flosshilde]

its rhyming for " Boris Bike", I think, S_A.

Should one ride a Brahms while one is a bit Brahms?

[antongould]

At least they haven't sunk to the depths of CFM who employed a Tory ex-cabinet minister who was better known for wearing football kit during amorous escapades than for his musical knowledge.

But IIRC Calum would approve of the choice of kit.....

[Serial_Apologist]

Should one ride a Brahms while one is a bit Brahms?

"Brahms? Best things ever invented for pushing babies around in!" (Ken Dodd)

[teamsaint]

At least they haven't sunk to the depths of CFM who employed a Tory ex-cabinet minister who was better known for wearing football kit during amorous escapades than for his musical knowledge.

where did you read that Floss?

[Serial_Apologist]

where did you read that Floss?

You would think an ex-cabinet minister would at least wear a box.

(I'll get me coffin...)

[Flosshilde]

where did you read that Floss?

It was widely reported at the time, but the lady concerned seems to have retracted the claim - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...id-Mellor.html

(although I have to say that I find it more unbelievable that she had an affair with David Mellor)

[teamsaint]

It was widely reported at the time, but the lady concerned seems to have retracted the claim - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...id-Mellor.html

ah, The Mail.......it was in the Mail.
Well I never thought.....

I hear it has a good " money" section ! Is that right?!

Sorry, Gone OT a bit.

[teamsaint]

You're being silly again, ts! Just because someone's political views don't coincide with yours doesn't necessarily mean that they are untalented, you know!

Simon, I never suggested that Heffer is untalented. he may even have some interesting things to say.
Its more a question of suitability. Rob Cowan, with his broadly apolitical approach to presentation, would be a good choice, IMO. There are plenty of other good candidates.


heffer is a divisive personality it seems. I don't think the BBC should give out jobs on the basis of family connections either.

[french frank]

Simon, I never suggested that Heffer is untalented. he may even have some interesting things to say.
Its more a question of suitability. Rob Cowan, with his broadly apolitical approach to presentation, would be a good choice, IMO. There are plenty of other good candidates.

Where does "talent" come into it, anyway? Presenters should have a good, technical, broadcasting technique - which comes from experience, and a pretty good knowledge of their subject. The BBC/industry use of 'talent' refers to presenters' fluency, motormouth ability to ad lib, and interact with their audiences: the very qualities that many R3 listeners find irritating, unnecessary and cringeworthy.

heffer is a divisive personality it seems. I don't think the BBC should give out jobs on the basis of family connections either.

Yes, he is divisive for his political views (which I detest) and his manner of expressing them (which I find despicable). But most presenters are 'divisive' in some way (even Rob Cowan, to say nothing about Katie Derham, Petroc Trelawny, Clemency B-H, Sara M-P, Sarah Walker, Aled Jones): people love 'em or hate 'em. It is the lot of presenters. Agree on family connections.

My view: if you think you'll enjoy the music, settle down and listen to the programmes and don't let your personal feelings about SH spoil it for you.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

a rose is a rose is a rose unless it's a toes innit .....

i will not listen to Heffer since he advocates shooting people and i think r3/RW guilty of the most appalling insensitivity to the expression of violent extremes in the media .... if he was a Muslim his advocacy would have had him in nick years ago ... an intolerant thug of the imperial sort .... utterly loathsome and it does the cause of our music no good at all to wrap it in such jingoist packaging ... a serious lapse of judgement imv ...