I wonder if there are any other listeners who were as bemused as I was at the choice of Louise Farrenc as the choice of Composer of the Week, for their 70th year Anniversary programme. I would guess many, including myself, are well aware of this composer, but I personally find very little merit in her work, and certainly not worthy of the attention she was given by the programme.
But, that of course is just my opinion. But that is not the point that concerns me. We were, after all, as listeners asked to vote for a composer not previously showcased by the programme previously. We were told that they had had some 4000 responses from listeners. I assumed, therefore, that the composer featured would be the one who had received the most listener suggestions- otherwise what on earth was the point in asking for listeners suggestions? But I found it hard to believe that a substantial number of listeners- if any- suggested the composer chosen.
I therefore contacted the programme with my concerns. Among other things I asked them was a). how many listeners suggested the composer chosen and b). would they publish a list of other composers suggested, in order of popularity. The reply I received I find disturbing. They have said that the request for listeners suggestions was never meant to be used as a vote for a particular composer- in fact the choice was made by their own people, and was not based on listeners suggestions at all. In fact it would seem the choice of composer was made long before the listeners were asked for their suggestions.
I have now, therefore, asked the programme the following questions:
1). Why did they waste listeners time with this farce of asking for their suggestions.
2). Did any member of the listening public actually suggest the chosen composer..my guess is they did not.
3). Which composer was actually the listeners choice.
I can't wait for their reply!
But, that of course is just my opinion. But that is not the point that concerns me. We were, after all, as listeners asked to vote for a composer not previously showcased by the programme previously. We were told that they had had some 4000 responses from listeners. I assumed, therefore, that the composer featured would be the one who had received the most listener suggestions- otherwise what on earth was the point in asking for listeners suggestions? But I found it hard to believe that a substantial number of listeners- if any- suggested the composer chosen.
I therefore contacted the programme with my concerns. Among other things I asked them was a). how many listeners suggested the composer chosen and b). would they publish a list of other composers suggested, in order of popularity. The reply I received I find disturbing. They have said that the request for listeners suggestions was never meant to be used as a vote for a particular composer- in fact the choice was made by their own people, and was not based on listeners suggestions at all. In fact it would seem the choice of composer was made long before the listeners were asked for their suggestions.
I have now, therefore, asked the programme the following questions:
1). Why did they waste listeners time with this farce of asking for their suggestions.
2). Did any member of the listening public actually suggest the chosen composer..my guess is they did not.
3). Which composer was actually the listeners choice.
I can't wait for their reply!