Peter Barker (1933-2023)

[AuntDaisy]

John Shea tweeted:

John Shea @johnshea63
I’m sorry to hear that my @BBCRadio3 predecessor Peter Barker has died, aged 90. Barker’s Marquer still helps us find the right fader to open, but he’s also the audio guide voice to the reconstructed bedroom at @WWindmillMuseum, as I was reminded again on a recent visit.

An instantly recognisable voice and the announcer for so many Radio 3 dramas.

The Telegraph has an obituary (but it's behind a paywall)

(Apologies in advance if this has already been posted.)

[kernelbogey]

What a voice he had.... RIP Peter.

[smittims]

I have many fond memories of hearing Peter Barker . The epitome of Radio3 as it should be.

[kernelbogey]

I have a tape somewhere - must track it down - of Peter announcing, at some length in his sonorous tones, Turangalila, about to be performed by the Youth Orchestra of GB at their Prom.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Amongst other talents quite possibly the finest poetry reader I’ve ever heard. Yes there were times when R3 announcers would read a poem like Ode to a Nightingale to “fill” and no one read them better than Peter.

[Bryn]

I have a tape somewhere - must track it down - of Peter announcing, at some length in his sonorous tones, Turangalila, about to be performed by the Youth Orchestra of GB at their Prom.

I, too, must have that somewhere, though I must admit I do not recall paying much attention to Peter Barker's introduction. I will, however, should I find it. Did he also present the television broadcast? I have a feeling I may have been watching that, though I also recorded the Rdio 3 broadcast.

[AuntDaisy]

Here's Peter Barker's introduction to a "Liszt and the Piano".
I love the unhurried, informative presentation and the beautiful way he pronuounces Mephistopheles. Much missed.

If you fancy almost 22 hours of Peter Barker, there's always his RNIB reading of "Tristram Shandy". (One review says "When the reader gets to the chapter in French there is an audible groan." )

[kernelbogey]

I love the unhurried, informative presentation and the beautiful way he pronuounces Mephistopholes. Much missed.

I agree - and of course those slightly patrician vowels are now out of favour at the BBC - certainly on R3.

[hmvman]

Very sad. A long life though. His was the voice of R3 for me in my early days of listening to it.

R.I.P.

[CallMePaul]

Amongst other talents quite possibly the finest poetry reader I’ve ever heard. Yes there were times when R3 announcers would read a poem like Ode to a Nightingale to “fill” and no one read them better than Peter.

Perhaps this should be reinstated? When I have heard a concert I for one do not want to hear more music immediately following, yet this has been the practice for some years. A concert should be an event, not just more wall-to-wall music.

Returning to topic, this is sad news - RIP Peter.

[cloughie]

I agree - and of course those slightly patrician vowels are now out of favour at the BBC - certainly on R3.

I take it you mean as in Hughes.

The BBC never learn - I guess PB was replaced at 60 to attract a younger audience.

RIP Peter

[Ein Heldenleben]

I take it you mean as in Hughes.

The BBC never learn - I guess PB was replaced at 60 to attract a younger audience.

RIP Peter

Back in those days the BBC had compulsory retirement at 60 . One of the consequences of employment legislation means there is no compulsory retirement age and there are now quite a few people both drawing a BBC pension (at 60 or 65 depending on joining date ) and continuing to work and take a salary. Something I thought a tiny bit greedy but ,more importantly, a real threat to continuing sanity. Quite a few people can’t wait to get out - others will work till they drop. I personally think ,if you can afford it , at some stage you have to make way for the youngsters.

[Petrushka]

There is one Peter Barker introduced concert that I remember very well as it showed his total unflappability and professionalism. It was November 30 1989 and the Vienna Philharmonic were due in the Royal Festival Hall with Andre Previn to give a concert of Haydn 96, Strauss Don Juan and Dvorak 8. The VPO had been in Brussels the night before and the plane bringing them to London was delayed by fog. Peter gave us this information but at 7.30 there was still no orchestra and no-one knew when they would turn up.

PB handed back to Broadcasting House and resumed the introduction in his usual calm style once the VPO eventually arrived in the hall at around 8.30 and proceeded to play the full concert plus encore until past 10.30 with only a very short interval 'as short as is decently possible' in PB's phrase.

I had a recording of the broadcast (sadly now gone) but for Radio 3 it was classic Peter Barker and I can still hear him in my head from that evening as I type.

Should anyone have that recording I'd be most interested to hear it again.

[cloughie]

Back in those days the BBC had compulsory retirement at 60 . One of the consequences of employment legislation means there is no compulsory retirement age and there are now quite a few people both drawing a BBC pension (at 60 or 65 depending on joining date ) and continuing to work and take a salary. Something I thought a tiny bit greedy but ,more importantly, a real threat to continuing sanity. Quite a few people can’t wait to get out - others will work till they drop. I personally think ,if you can afford it , at some stage you have to make way for the youngsters.

Right. Easy to make assumptions - retirement in good circumstances gives a wonderful freedom. The disadvantage to listeners as we age is the paucity of those in charge who share their history.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Right. Easy to make assumptions - retirement in good circumstances gives a wonderful freedom. The disadvantage to listeners as we age is the paucity of those in charge who share their history.

Yes agreed but at some stage the old have to give way to the young. The problem with the media in general is that it’s a bit too obsessed with the latter at the expense of the former.