Richard Baker R.I.P

[gurnemanz]

Very sad news. What an innings though.

Indeed. I can remember him from our first wonky b&w TV in the 50s.

[Historian]

When I was very young (memory says about 5 but I suspect I was a little older) my mother took me to a concert at Reading Town Hall which included 'Peter and the Wolf' narrated by Richard Baker. I have no idea now what the rest of the programme was. This is the first classical music I can recall hearing. However, at the time I think I was more impressed by seeing someone who was on the 'television' in the flesh. Another candidate for the 'voices' thread (if it is still going and he has not already been mentioned.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

He can also be seen introducing a live performance of the 'War Requiem' shown on BBC tv in 1964. conducted by the composer.
I simply went to iPlayer then clicked on 'Arts' followed by 'War Requiem'. It's also available on operamusica.com. (Sorry, I'm rubbish at links!)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p014g221/war-requiem?suggid=p014g221

Obviously a very warm evening - all the members of the chorus fanning themselves with their vocal scores before the performance started!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

There was just nothing to irritate when RB presented TV Proms.

So often presenters get in the way now.

RIP Richard Baker.

[LMcD]

Although the broadcast is not currently available, the Desert Island Discs archive lists his choice of music plus his luxury (a bed!) and choice of book. (Episode dates from 1968).

[cloughie]

There was just nothing to irritate when RB presented TV Proms.

So often presenters get in the way now.

RIP Richard Baker.

None better, Alison!

[underthecountertenor]

It is being said on Radio 3 that Richard Baker was one of the first presenters of In Tune. I have absolutely no memory of this.

[subcontrabass]

It is being said on Radio 3 that Richard Baker was one of the first presenters of In Tune. I have absolutely no memory of this.

1992-95 according to this obituary: https://www.heraldscotland.com/opini...ar-newsreader/

[Richard Tarleton]

A 'celebrity' who was brought in as a Radio 3 presenter - and really knew his stuff

Looking at his obit in The Times today, he was a Third Programme presenter for nearly 2 years before his first TV news bulletin in 1954.....wrote books on Schubert and Mozart.....2 pianos at home inc a Bechstein boudoir grand....a definite hinterland there

[underthecountertenor]

1992-95 according to this obituary: https://www.heraldscotland.com/opini...ar-newsreader/

Good heavens. And many thanks.

[gradus]

His long stint on Start the Week was great fun, unlike the serious demeanour the programme developed later. A good companion on a long car journey and a role model for the current generation of presenters imv.

[ardcarp]

1992-95 according to this obituary: https://www.heraldscotland.com/opini...ar-newsreader/

Thanks for that link. What a full and varied life he lived! 'A life well spent' is a bit of a platitude, but seems completely appropriate in RB's case.