Scala Radio

[oddoneout]

I wasn't being entirely serious of course. I don't think there should be rules as to what's allowed and what isn't on some particular radio station. I think it should be a matter of having a sensitive and intelligent choice of people on board who make sensitive and intelligent decisions about programming.

We can dream.....

[french frank]

My comment about exclusion post 1940 was in part the result of thinking about music I have sung or am singing in recent months, and also the post 1940 music I've heard on choral evensong. For the most part it would not meet the innovative/experimental criteria and so wouldn't be included in your scheme.

OTOH, if you heard it on CE, how likely is it that it would be on Essential Classics? My rigid iron diktat only applies to the 'nominally classical ones'. Otherwise I would have been excluding all the jazz, world music and stuff on Sound of Cinema - which I'm not.

Rossini O salutaris hostia in by virtue of age, Finzi Magnificat post 1940 not experimental or innovative so out; Bob Chilcott Little Jazz Mass post 1940 innovative/experimental? possibly up for discussion but probably not. The loss of Chilcott might not concern the hardcore R3 listener, but Finzi?

I thought I was clear that no composer or piece of music would be 'excluded' and that refinements to the guidelines were welcome! If not 1940 (or rather 'say 1940 (?) ), is there an alternative, purely indicative date? I also felt that some composers (like the Matthews brothers, whom I mentioned) were outwith my competence to judge. I checked, for instance, that George Lloyd had essentially given up composing in 1951 (Wikipedia): far be it from me to banish George Lloyd!!!

R3 already seems to do quite well at not exploring the full range of what might be called 'R3 music' available, to my way of thinking, so potentially excluding yet more wouldn't get my vote. The creation of Radio Scala would seem to lend itself to R3 replacing the show/musical/film component of its output to concentrate more on what should be(allegedly is?) its remit.

I agree with your point that there is a host of stuff Radio 3 could broadcast, but doesn't; and there are many 'great' works that it repeats endlessly; and many things which sound as if Scala Radio will be supplying, and some of which CFM provides in abundance which - in my view - Radio 3 could do without. A clear-out of dead wood would make room for less familiar music.

Unfortunately as has been previously mentioned it may just result in more audience-chasing stupidity.

'Guests, features, (confessions seems a good idea to me) and some of that all-request magic too,' says Simon Mayo. I think Radio 3 could leave all the audience-chasing to Scala and CFM. That was my initial point

[oddoneout]

I think I still come back to not agreeing that there needs to be a cut-off date. For the majority of its existence R3 has managed to avoid women composers, so I'm sure avoiding musicals etc will be easy enough if someone makes the decision that that kind of music shouldn't be part of the output.
Away from the 'Real R3' dream though I am still somewhat concerned that poor decisions could be made as a response to what might be seen as the threat/challenge of Radio Scala(keep wanting to write La Scala.....)

[hmvman]

The articles seem to suggest that the increase in classical record sales last year is proof of an audience for another classical radio station but I wonder if that audience is really big enough to sustain three stations in the UK. Is the jam going to be spread even thinner? I don't know much about audience figures, though, and I assume that Scala's owners have done their homework.

I share others' concerns that the arrival of Scala will result in further dumbing down of R3 but, having recently acquired an internet radio, I wonder if R3's real competition is from that area. There are so many quality music stations readily available at the touch of a few buttons.

[french frank]

I think I still come back to not agreeing that there needs to be a cut-off date.

I don't think there does need to be a precise date either. Perhaps I should describe what I think in a different way: during the course of the 20th century, it seems to me - a fairly non-musical person - there has been a gradated divergence in music between the "innovative/experimental" and the more 'popular', traditional, tonal, light - call it what you like. That to me is not a distinction in quality. Nowhere but Radio 3 is going to broadcast the innovative/experimental - certainly not CFM or Scala Radio. Most film and show music will be of the second kind, though I'm not suggesting there are two baskets: this music goes in Basket One, this music in Basket Two. Some music might go in either basket, some most definitely wouldn't. It's like the old colour analogy: we know the difference between blue and yellow, but at what exact point does a green become blue or yellow? Perceptions differ and I wouldn't expect perceptions of music to be identical for everyone.

Away from the 'Real R3' dream though I am still somewhat concerned that poor decisions could be made as a response to what might be seen as the threat/challenge of Radio Scala(keep wanting to write La Scala.....)

You're obviously not entirely happy with recent changes to Radio 3, and I'd have to say that I'm more put off by what seems to me to be the triviality of presentation and what I think of as a lack of professionalism in the presentation of classical music in particular.

[oddoneout]

You're obviously not entirely happy with recent changes to Radio 3, and I'd have to say that I'm more put off by what seems to me to be the triviality of presentation and what I think of as a lack of professionalism in the presentation of classical music in particular.

Yes, but I let the side down by listening to the morning schedules anyway, as I'm sure you know!

[Barbirollians]

I wasn't being entirely serious of course. I don't think there should be rules as to what's allowed and what isn't on some particular radio station. I think it should be a matter of having a sensitive and intelligent choice of people on board who make sensitive and intelligent decisions about programming.

[LMcD]

The articles seem to suggest that the increase in classical record sales last year is proof of an audience for another classical radio station but I wonder if that audience is really big enough to sustain three stations in the UK. Is the jam going to be spread even thinner? I don't know much about audience figures, though, and I assume that Scala's owners have done their homework.

I share others' concerns that the arrival of Scala will result in further dumbing down of R3 but, having recently acquired an internet radio, I wonder if R3's real competition is from that area. There are so many quality music stations readily available at the touch of a few buttons.

I don't have an internet radio, but I think your assessment is spot-on.

[gurnemanz]

I share others' concerns that the arrival of Scala will result in further dumbing down of R3 but, having recently acquired an internet radio, I wonder if R3's real competition is from that area. There are so many quality music stations readily available at the touch of a few buttons.

An optimist might hope that with two populist classical lite stations available (presumably competing mainly with each other) it might actually be easier for R3 to confirm its identity as the more serious (can't find a better word) alternative. For me R3 is fine from mid-day on.

[french frank]

An optimist might hope that with two populist classical lite stations available (presumably competing mainly with each other) it might actually be easier for R3 to confirm its identity as the more serious (can't find a better word) alternative. For me R3 is fine from mid-day on.

That was certainly my thought (were I to be Controller, and decided editorial strategy, I mean ). Radio 3 also has the advantage of being part of the BBC which could, but hardly ever does, broadcast the kind of easy introductions which might ease new listeners over to Radio 3. I seem to remember hearing about a 'classical music' television series presented by Aled Jones several years ago which was well received (by its audience). That sort of programme/series needs to be a permanency on television or popular radio, not a six-week series every few years.

[cloughie]

That was certainly my thought (were I to be Controller, and decided editorial strategy, I mean ). Radio 3 also has the advantage of being part of the BBC which could, but hardly ever does, broadcast the kind of easy introductions which might ease new listeners over to Radio 3. I seem to remember hearing about a 'classical music' television series presented by Aled Jones several years ago which was well received (by its audience). That sort of programme/series needs to be a permanency on television or popular radio, not a six-week series every few years.

Andre Previn's Music Night was also good.

[french frank]

Norm used to be a staunch supporter of RW and his R3 (but, then, he was given his own show). However he has had in for Alan Davey since Day -40, so not surprising he announces Scala Radio with a dig at 'desperately please-please-you BBC Radio 3'

[Master Jacques]

Essential Classics this morning seems particularly bellicose in "taking the fight to Scala FM", with much flaunting of 'Gorgeous George' Gershwin, 'Frolicsome Ferde' Grofé and all the usual Americana suspects. Now might be a good time to strike, with mass letters to the Controller, whom (saith Dame Rumor) is no great fan of this stuff either!

Question: after being subjected to it twice weekly, does ANYBODY out there still even LIKE the dreaded Rhapsody in Blue?

[oddoneout]

Essential Classics this morning seems particularly bellicose in "taking the fight to Scala FM", with much flaunting of 'Gorgeous George' Gershwin, 'Frolicsome Ferde' Grofé and all the usual Americana suspects. Now might be a good time to strike, with mass letters to the Controller, whom (saith Dame Rumor) is no great fan of this stuff either!

Question: after being subjected to it twice weekly, does ANYBODY out there still even LIKE the dreaded Rhapsody in Blue?

Wasn't that keen on it to begin with, now has become a switchoff/leave room to do something else item.

[Bryn]

Essential Classics this morning seems particularly bellicose in "taking the fight to Scala FM", with much flaunting of 'Gorgeous George' Gershwin, 'Frolicsome Ferde' Grofé and all the usual Americana suspects. Now might be a good time to strike, with mass letters to the Controller, whom (saith Dame Rumor) is no great fan of this stuff either!

Question: after being subjected to it twice weekly, does ANYBODY out there still even LIKE the dreaded Rhapsody in Blue?

Fine work, especially in its original version with 'jazz' band, or indeed the composer's own solo version(s). Come to think of it, Morton Gould even made the version with full orchestra sound more than just good.