A Classic FM presenter writes .....

[LMcD]

A couple of extracts from an article by Dan Walker in today's i
Although Classic FM's recently recruited presenter leaves us in no doubt as to what should be our station of choice, he also makes a more general point about what he sees as the role of classical music in our lives:

"I know there is a feeling that some people listen in order to switch off. But for me, it's not about escapism, it's about enrichment - and I've been really encouraged by the number of people who feel the same way........it's not a case of switching the world off, but equipping yourself to face it".

I would say that's true in my case.

[french frank]

A couple of extracts from an article by Dan Walker in today's i
[COLOR=#000000]Although Classic FM's recently recruited presenter leaves us in no doubt as to what should be our station of choice, he also makes a more general point about what he sees as the role of classical music in our lives:

"I know there is a feeling that some people listen in order to switch off.

In the case of the new Saturday morning on R3 today it seems to be very true!

[Ian Old Bean]

A couple of extracts from an article by Dan Walker in today's i
Although Classic FM's recently recruited presenter leaves us in no doubt as to what should be our station of choice, he also makes a more general point about what he sees as the role of classical music in our lives:

"I know there is a feeling that some people listen in order to switch off. But for me, it's not about escapism, it's about enrichment - and I've been really encouraged by the number of people who feel the same way........it's not a case of switching the world off, but equipping yourself to face it".

I would say that's true in my case.

This reminds me of comments made by friends and visitors to my home when they discover that I like classical music. Often they say something like "oh, classical music is so relaxing." My response is to play Shostakovich's 8th Symphony - try relaxing to that!
Speaking seriously though, I am nervous that music is becoming something that is just on in the background. Nobody really listens to it so what is it for?
It would be worth trying to persuade people we know to sit down and really listen to something, even if it is just for 30 minutes, rather than having musical wallpaper playing in the background 24 hours a day.

[smittims]

'Switch off 'w as an unfortunate choiuce of metaphor, wasn;t it? I'm reminded that it was Sir John Reith who said it was as important to switch off the 'wireless' as to switch it on. He meant, of course, that listeners should then discuss what they had heard and fit it into their daily lives, not just use it for escapism.

Well said, Ian (#3); I think that's at the nub of things. On the one hand we have Tom Service and his beige aural wallpaper, kidding people into thinking that to enjoy classical music you just let it wash over you while you're texting or washing the car; on the other the stark truth which no-one on Radio 3 dares mention,that at some stage one has to listen carefully to a whole work all the way through. .

[LMcD]

This reminds me of comments made by friends and visitors to my home when they discover that I like classical music. Often they say something like "oh, classical music is so relaxing." My response is to play Shostakovich's 8th Symphony - try relaxing to that!
Speaking seriously though, I am nervous that music is becoming something that is just on in the background. Nobody really listens to it so what is it for?
It would be worth trying to persuade people we know to sit down and really listen to something, even if it is just for 30 minutes, rather than having musical wallpaper playing in the background 24 hours a day.

At certain times of the day, when I'm cooking, doing housework or tackling a crossword, for example, (but not when reading a book!), I do tend to treat music as a background, but at other times I sit down and listen or watch for extended periods, often compiling a concert from my collection of CDs, DVDs and works I've recorded on my TV set. I often used to listen to the Lunchtime Concert ...ah, well!

[oddoneout]

A couple of extracts from an article by Dan Walker in today's i
Although Classic FM's recently recruited presenter leaves us in no doubt as to what should be our station of choice, he also makes a more general point about what he sees as the role of classical music in our lives:

"I know there is a feeling that some people listen in order to switch off. But for me, it's not about escapism, it's about enrichment - and I've been really encouraged by the number of people who feel the same way........it's not a case of switching the world off, but equipping yourself to face it".

I would say that's true in my case.

It can be escapism - being transported into another world, and being the better for it - but if it's also about enrichment why the revolving sushi bar approach - lots of nibbles passing by, none of which constitutes a meal?

[french frank]

At certain times of the day, when I'm cooking, doing housework or tackling a crossword, for example, (but not when reading a book!), I do tend to treat music as a background

Unfortunately, everyone who doesn't want that has to switch off or suffer intellectual pain. You could, for example, put on some of your own CDs. If Radio 3 is there to play music to people while they cook, do housework or tackle a crossword they could broadcast nothing else, morning, noon and night, to suit people's various daily routines.

[Old Grumpy]

It can be escapism - being transported into another world, and being the better for it - but if it's also about enrichment why the revolving sushi bar approach - lots of nibbles passing by, none of which constitutes a meal?

Or indeed Michelin-starred restaurant approach - there are now several such establishments within reach of my domicile, which only seem to offer a "Tasting Menu" for a sum of ~ £130+ and not a meal as such! Needless to say I haven't tried any of them - the tasting options look pretty wierd anyway!

[oddoneout]

Unfortunately, everyone who doesn't want that has to switch off or suffer intellectual pain. You could, for example, put on some of your own CDs. If Radio 3 is there to play music to people while they cook, do housework or tackle a crossword they could broadcast nothing else, morning, noon and night, to suit people's various daily routines.

While I don't read or do other such brain work while R3 is on, there are plenty of tasks which don't interfere with listening, such as washing up, ironing, indeed concentrating on the music makes the task easier. Even my mother, who was a stickler for "listening properly"(including scores sometimes) , was happy to have the evening concert on while doing such tasks, or do knitting or sewing during broadcasts, on occasion. She wouldn't engage in conversation though, talking over music was a big no-no; if the music couldn't be switched off( my father having one of his record sessions for instance) she would leave the room if the talking was unavoidable.
The fact I might be doing chores doesn't mean I prefer the snippets approach, or that it serves the aural purpose better, but just making the best(convenience in this case) of a bad job.

[LMcD]

While I don't read or do other such brain work while R3 is on, there are plenty of tasks which don't interfere with listening, such as washing up, ironing, indeed concentrating on the music makes the task easier. Even my mother, who was a stickler for "listening properly"(including scores sometimes) , was happy to have the evening concert on while doing such tasks, or do knitting or sewing during broadcasts, on occasion. She wouldn't engage in conversation though, talking over music was a big no-no; if the music couldn't be switched off( my father having one of his record sessions for instance) she would leave the room if the talking was unavoidable.
The fact I might be doing chores doesn't mean I prefer the snippets approach, or that it serves the aural purpose better, but just making the best(convenience in this case) of a bad job.

With the disappearance of the Lunchtime Concert from Tuesday onwards and Record Review Extra, I now rarely listen to Radio 3 after 'Breakfast*, which offers what I need at that time of day. If insomnia rears its tiresome head in the small hours, I listen to 'Through The Night' until I nod off again. One beneficial consequence of this is that I'm reading a great many enjoyable books (as long as they're 'Large Print').
* Sunday to Friday

[oddoneout]

With the disappearance of the Lunchtime Concert from Tuesday onwards, I now rarely listen to Radio 3 after 'Breakfast*, which offers what I need at that time of day. If insomnia rears its tiresome head in the small hours, I listen to 'Through The Night' until I nod off again. One beneficial consequence of this is that I'm reading a great many enjoyable books (as long as they're 'Large Print').
* Sunday to Friday

That sounds very much like my R3 listening now - and I'm doing more reading as well. One effect of R3 deprivation is going through the many books I have amassed in recent years, to decide which I need or want to keep, and taking the surplus(back in many cases!) to the charity shops.
But I'd still rather have a functioning R3...

[antongould]

Observer not a fam of R3 changes towards CFM “Controllers should treat music as a skyrocket to new places, not a sedative.”

[french frank]

Observer not a fam of R3 changes towards CFM “Controllers should treat music as a skyrocket to new places, not a sedative.”

Yesterday's Guardian in fact, not the Observer. I'm sure I'll be notified of any other interesting reviews from various other publications in due course .

It's hard not to see the latest changes as being acts of rank hypocrisy on the part of the controller and the BBC. Being "distinctive" means doing the same thing in a different way; in this case, aiming for a very similar audience - the one which listens to CFM. FoR3 argued this for years, at which point the BBC apparatchiks started whistling nonchalantly.

[LMcD]

Yesterday's Guardian in fact, not the Observer. I'm sure I'll be notified of any other interesting reviews from various other publications in due course .

It's hard not to see the latest changes as being acts of rank hypocrisy on the part of the controller and the BBC. Being "distinctive" means doing the same thing in a different way; in this case, aiming for a very similar audience - the one which listens to CFM. FoR3 argued this for years, at which point the BBC apparatchiks started whistling nonchalantly.

'No - we're NOT patronising or ignoring you - it's just that WE KNOW BEST'

[french frank]

'No - we're NOT patronising or ignoring you - it's just that WE KNOW BEST'

Yes, I know - they are the professional broadcasters. Of course they know best.