Reasons to be cheerful

[LMcD]

In the old days, the Third Programme was on air for just a few hours a day, and even when 'classical' music was given more airtime it was periodically elbowed aside by cricket and, on one occasion, a complete reading of election results. Radio 3 is now available 24/7, and we can listen to it live, record it or catch up, and can also tune into classical music stations around the world. I can't, for the life of me, believe that that's a bad thing. Radio 3 is no longer the only, or even the main, dish on my musical menu, but still offers some tasty titbits and nourishing main courses and I hope to remain a Friend as it seeks - not always wisely perhaps - to adapt to the new world of broadcasting in which it needs to operate. Progress has always something of a two-edged sword, hasn't it?

[Bella Kemp]

In the old days, the Third Programme was on air for just a few hours a day, and even when 'classical' music was given more airtime it was periodically elbowed aside by cricket and, on one occasion, a complete reading of election results. Radio 3 is now available 24/7, and we can listen to it live, record it or catch up, and can also tune into classical music stations around the world. I can't, for the life of me, believe that that's a bad thing. Radio 3 is no longer the only, or even the main, dish on my musical menu, but still offers some tasty titbits and nourishing main courses and I hope to remain a Friend as it seeks - not always wisely perhaps - to adapt to the new world of broadcasting in which it needs to operate. Progress has always something of a two-edged sword, hasn't it?

I totally agree. I well remember those summers of cricket when the normal output of Radio 3 was considered disposable and replaced by ghastly giggling commentary. The world has changed. Those who want something approaching the old Third Programme can easily find Yle Klassinen and a host of others. And BBC Sounds is just as easily accessible. But please don't axe the drama because new plays and new interpretations of old plays can't readily be found.

[LMcD]

I totally agree. I well remember those summers of cricket when the normal output of Radio 3 was considered disposable and replaced by ghastly giggling commentary. The world has changed. Those who want something approaching the old Third Programme can easily find Yle Klassinen and a host of others. And BBC Sounds is just as easily accessible. But please don't axe the drama because new plays and new interpretations of old plays can't readily be found.

There's probably more classical music, including complete works, out there than ever before, but it's not necessarily going to be found on what, for some people, used be the only source. As I've suggested elsewhere, the more there is to hear the greater the risk that at least some of it won't please somebody some of the time. Nobody would have objected to the inclusion of, works by say, Louise Farrenc or Florence Price because almost nobody had heard of them.
Although I hardly ever listen to radio drama, I can well understand the outrage expressed by those who do, especially as there's no guarantee that Radio 4 will prove to be a satisfactory alternative platform. Quite a lot of drama, including 90-minute plays, can be found on Radio 4 Extra, but by definition that's not going to feature new drama. Many years ago I was chatting to a BBC Radio 4 producer who told me 'Oh, WE don't like music'. It was clear from his expression and tone of voice that he didn't share what was obviously the official view. It looks as though we have now reached the stage where Radio 3 'don't like drama'.

[french frank]

But if someone pointed out that you could already get all-day classical music served up on Classic FM, what would your response be?

I totally agree. I well remember those summers of cricket when the normal output of Radio 3 was considered disposable and replaced by ghastly giggling commentary. The world has changed. Those who want something approaching the old Third Programme can easily find Yle Klassinen and a host of others. And BBC Sounds is just as easily accessible. But please don't axe the drama because new plays and new interpretations of old plays can't readily be found.

[LMcD]

But if someone pointed out that you could already get all-day classical music served up on Classic FM, what would your response be?

I would tell them that Radio 3 offers a much wider range of music (of various kinds) and doesn't constantly repeat extracts from a limited playlist that relies excessively on the most popular pieces in the 'Hall of Fame'. While its character is changing - by which I guess I mean being changed - Radio 3 is still much more likely to encourage both regular and new listeners to find out more about works of which they have previously heard only the same old snippets and seek out new ones. It can only be a good thing that anybody interested in taking the plunge has so many choices. Radio 3 can thus be an end in itself, or a means to an end, depending on how curious you are to learn more, but has to accept the fact it's competing with broadcasters from all over the world, some of which are regularly recommended on the Forum..

[Petrushka]

I wonder if I'm the only one on here who came to Radio 3 via the cricket? Whenever 'rain stopped play', a not infrequent occurrence given the average English summer, Radio 3 reverted to playing classical music. At that stage, in around 1969/1970, I was just getting interested and I can still remember that heard Mahler for the very first time that way ( the Bruno Walter/Ferrier Das Lied and the 1st Symphony LSO/Solti).

I soon ditched the cricket and went to R3 permanently.

[kernelbogey]

My sole reason for my remaining cheer about R3 is the existence of Through the Night, hosted by knowledgeable presenters with scripts (I believe written by them) which focus on the music.

[LMcD]

My sole reason for my remaining cheer about R3 is the existence of Through the Night, hosted by knowledgeable presenters with scripts (I believe written by them) which focus on the music.

The 7.30 p.m. concert slot has provided some excellent musical fare so far this week, and I shall certainly tune in tonight to hear the wonderful Mariam Batsashvili.

[AuntDaisy]

My sole reason for my remaining cheer about R3 is the existence of Through the Night, hosted by knowledgeable presenters with scripts (I believe written by them) which focus on the music.

Listening to last night's TTN now. Decent selection of music, usually something new to me (like the Cavalli), and interesting / informative presenters.

[Ein Heldenleben]

The 7.30 p.m. concert slot has provided some excellent musical fare so far this week, and I shall certainly tune in tonight to hear the wonderful Mariam Batsashvili.

An excellent idea. Those Brahms Intermezzi were superbly played . And as for this Liszt she’s so in the spirit of these unbelievably demanding pieces usually only played as encores. What a pianist.

[Ein Heldenleben]

That Hungarian Rhapsody was staggering . I mean Cziffra level staggering …

[LMcD]

That Hungarian Rhapsody was staggering . I mean Cziffra level staggering …

In Radio Times Michael Hodges describes her as 'a genuine firecracker of an artist who interposes grace and calm with virtuoso intensity'.

The success of the New Generations Artists scheme and its graduates is immensely heartening.

Tomorrow night's concert has an attractive programme, including my favourite Mozart piano concerto (K491) which Ryan Wigglesworth will direct from the keyboard.

[pastoralguy]

When I lived in the wilds of Scotland it was very difficult to get a signal for Radio3 and so I used to listen to Classic FM quite a lot as I was driving. I don’t think there was ever a day when at least one movement of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto was played. I mean, it’s a great piece but not every single day!

[LMcD]

When I lived in the wilds of Scotland it was very difficult to get a signal for Radio3 and so I used to listen to Classic FM quite a lot as I was driving. I don’t think there was ever a day when at least one movement of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto was played. I mean, it’s a great piece but not every single day!

... was played, or wasn't played?

Radio 3 isn't available on Freeview after 5 p.m. in Scotland as it, and 4 other stations have to make way for BBC Alba.

[Frances_iom]

Listening to last night's TTN now. Decent selection of music, usually something new to me (like the Cavalli), and interesting / informative presenters.

it was I think a repeat from last September - I find TTN to be about 75% repeats - I tend to listen to the chamber-music-heavy editions (having any organ music at all is a rarity)