They 'plug' them because they pay them, as we all know - you may not like them, but you can hardly complain that the BBC wants to get its money's worth.
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I would like to clarify that I am not indulging in bashing the BBCS. My 'gripe' is that as a BBC funded professional choir they should be able to present decent/competent performances of whatever repertoire they are singing for broadcast. This isn't a matter of style, interpretation or whatever, it's about singing the music well. The persistently unbalanced topline mitigates against that much of the time, and their rendition of Bach a few weeks ago( mentioned in another thread) was frankly totally unacceptable. My concern about the forthcoming concert isn't whether they'll conform to whatever HIPP views I may have(none, frankly), it's whether they'll produce a balanced pleasing sound that serves the music.Originally posted by light_calibre_baritone View Post
I don't see why there seems to be a culture of immunity from criticism around this group. I have no doubt that they do much good work re: community outreach etc, and I know that those who attend their concerts enjoy them, but my access to them is via their broadcasts in their capacity as a BBC performing group and as such I find them wanting on too many occasions.If I was a lone dissenting voice that wouldn't matter, but I don't think that's the case, judging by replies on this forum, and I wonder to what extent that is an acceptable situation. I will listen to the programme in the hope of enjoying it, and switch off if necessary.
Unfortunately the alternative you suggest isn't an option as I lack the necessary equipment.Comment
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The criticisms on this occasion are specific to a performance which hasn't yet taken place, and that is ridiculous.Originally posted by teamsaint View PostComment
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The criticisms on this thread are not of the performance that is yet to take place but criticisms of the policies of the BBCS and the BBC that are based on the group’s performances of the similar repertoire in the past.Originally posted by Gabriel Jackson View PostComment
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The criticisms are largely along the lines of "I don't want to listen to this because it will be awful".Originally posted by doversoul View PostComment
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Originally posted by Gabriel Jackson View Post
Based on considerable experience of many listeners, it is entirely reasonable.
Hopefully the criticisms will be wrong on this occasion.
( I am pretty certain most of us make our listening decisions based on some kind of past experience, or reference from those with experience, which is , in the main, a sensible approach).I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own.
I am not a number, I am a free man.Comment
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Its more akin to "Ohh, Its them again......" and behind that is years of coming upon, or even listening in hope, to a group of wannabee (past, present, future) soloists - who fail to produce a blended sound appropriate to the music being sung. I wish it were not so, I want to support the BBC in its support for music performance and culture generally, but I'm not able to deny what I hear. In for example, the Swayne Magnificat its ok, it suits the soloistic sound. But in much other music, it doesn't. Other radio choirs manage much better - Netherlands, Swedish, Baltic. It would be a delight to support the BBCS if they were as effective as those choirs.Originally posted by Gabriel Jackson View Post
Another observation - I don't expect any music professional who expects to earn their living to publicly agree with any judgements about the BBC which are anything other than approval or praise (the hand that feeds - the BBC, in London in particular, occupies a large part of the ecosystem). Even if a professional hasn't worked for the BBC, why offend an organisation they might get work from in the future?
I wonder, even, if the critics are up to it (remember the evidence that they dare not report the unvarnished truth about Peter Pears for fear of offending the Aldeburgh axis). And, the BBC is increasingly "Corporate" for example all outlets boarding the bandwagon of the moment decided from on high....Last edited by Cockney Sparrow; 30-12-15, 20:12.Comment
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At our choir Christmas party, I did a spot of stand-up comedy (my first attempt, and I now appreciate just how difficult it is) and poked fun at how the sopranos usually hog the melody line, only relinquishing it when they get something better (such as a descant). However, I also praised the quality of our sopranos, for they are extremely competent with a wonderful, non-wobbly blend of sound. I said I wished that professional choirs were as good. At this point, one of the tenors called out: "You mean the BBC Singers."Originally posted by oddoneout View Post
I had never discussed this with him before, and he is not a member of this forum. But he has done much solo work, and is highly respected in the York music scene.Comment
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In my case that is not an accurate interpretation. I do want to listen, and am hoping that it will be enjoyable, but previous experience(especially recently) means that I cannot assume that it will be a good performance, in terms of pleasant to listen to.Originally posted by Gabriel Jackson View PostComment
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I think your exact words were "want to listen to the music, don't want to listen to the BBCS"Originally posted by oddoneout View PostComment
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Yes, and undoubtedly it would have been better if I had used a few more words and perhaps been more accurate - along the lines of 'I'm not sure I want to hear what the BBCS might do'. Note to self - avoid posting replies when irritated. However I still don't think that it's unreasonable to expect a properly balanced sound from a professional choir - in this context nothing to do with sound engineers.Originally posted by Gabriel Jackson View PostComment
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Thanks for the reminder, Dover, but it seems hardly anyone apart from Gabriel will be listening. Almost everyone else has said that, based on previous experience, they definitely don't want to hear the BBCS.
I shall be taking first rehearsal this term of youth choir and then on to singing with our choral soc. starting on Chichester Psalms amongst other pieces - so I won't be listening either.Comment
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I realise this isn't exactly a tribute thread, but honestly, haven't people got more important things to do than announce over and over again that they won't be listening to a particular group?Comment
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Well, Jean, it's just that the BBCS have joined the herd of bêtes noires, the very mention of whose name - Aled Jones, Classic FM, Andre Rieu, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Eric Whitaker etc. etc. inspires a deeply felt negative reaction.
On the BBC Points of View blog, there are numerous critical comments about the current "War and Peace" series from people determined not to watch the programmes at all, or who switched off after ten minutes of Episode 1 - but feel compelled to write in expressing their dismay or disgust.
I very well remember that tone from school days when a few class-mates would sneer at Tchaikovsky (because of the 1812 Overture, I guess) , or Your Hundred Best Tunes/Friday Night is Music Night, or Hugo Rignold (then with the CBSO, our local orchestra).Comment
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