Friends of Radio Three?

[Thropplenoggin]

I agree with everything you say, and would like to add this about populism vs. elitism in the arts. One could argue that ‘populism’ in the provision of the arts is actually more elitist than ‘elitism’, because populists believe that ordinary people – unlike themselves, who are well-educated, cultured, etc. – are not capable of responding to what may be difficult, for instance much classical music, and so must be given a watered-down version, ‘classical lite’ (à la Classic FM), with difficulties smoothed away (‘Smooth Classics’). Whereas an elitist is less inclined to make such assumptions as to the abilities of ordinary people, but believes he/she should be given the best without compromise. Which image of the ordinary person is the more ‘elitist’?

Doubleplus good, sir! I would like to fly-post this entry on every corridor in Broadcasting House, or wherever the BBC is these days!

p.s. Is that red thing in your avatar a hedgehog?

[Thropplenoggin]

Spot on, JFLL - a point I've often thought about and which you put better than I have been doing in my head!

Cric crac croc!

[Nick Armstrong]

Cric crac croc!

[JFLL]

p.s. Is that red thing in your avatar a hedgehog?

Thanks for the kind words, Thropple (and Caliban). Yes, Brahms used to frequent a Viennese restaurant called ‘The Red Hedgehog’ (Zum Roten Igel) – a few details here

http://cookingintime.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/eating-with-brahms/

Unfortunately my avatar might be taken to represent old Uncle Johannes kicking the hedgehog up in the air. Even he wasn’t as grumpy as that, I’d have thought.

[Thropplenoggin]

Thanks for the kind words, Thropple (and Caliban). Yes, Brahms used to frequent a Viennese restaurant called ‘The Red Hedgehog’ (Zum Roten Igel) – a few details here

http://cookingintime.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/eating-with-brahms/

Unfortunately my avatar might be taken to represent old Uncle Johannes kicking the hedgehog up in the air. Even he wasn’t as grumpy as that, I’d have thought.

Thanks for that, JFLL. An interesting read.

[Bryn]

Thanks for the kind words, Thropple (and Caliban). Yes, Brahms used to frequent a Viennese restaurant called ‘The Red Hedgehog’ (Zum Roten Igel) – a few details here

http://cookingintime.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/eating-with-brahms/

Unfortunately my avatar might be taken to represent old Uncle Johannes kicking the hedgehog up in the air. Even he wasn’t as grumpy as that, I’d have thought.

Ah, so it's not a red cat he's kicking?

[Sydney Grew]

. . . We resorted to stratagems to tell people the site existed, and if they were spotted, they were removed. . . .

I know the feeling . . .

[Beef Oven]

I know the feeling . . .

Lol!!

[salymap]

Sorry, but anyone turning up with a pseudonym that is a very poor attempt at lampooning Calum/Malcolm MacDonald is, for me, beneath contempt.

Actually Malcolmtalcum was one of the BBCSO's nicknames for Sargent, who powdered his nose with talcum for a TV appearance, much to their mirth.

Or maybe the troll just chanced upon the name

[BBMmk2]

Still, rather poor showing salymap, eh?

[salymap]

Still, rather poor showing salymap, eh?

Agreed Bbm

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I agree with everything you say, and would like to add this about populism vs. elitism in the arts. One could argue that ‘populism’ in the provision of the arts is actually more elitist than ‘elitism’, because populists believe that ordinary people – unlike themselves, who are well-educated, cultured, etc. – are not capable of responding to what may be difficult, for instance much classical music, and so must be given a watered-down version, ‘classical lite’ (à la Classic FM), with difficulties smoothed away (‘Smooth Classics’). Whereas an elitist is less inclined to make such assumptions as to the abilities of ordinary people, but believes he/she should be given the best without compromise. Which image of the ordinary person is the more ‘elitist’?

Missed this last night, JFLL, but I totally agree with Cali and Thropple - superb!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Still, rather poor showing salymap, eh?

Oh, yes; it was a feeble attempt, Bbm - but one given a grain of "justification" in that it led to JFLL's post.

[ahinton]

Sorry, but anyone turning up with a pseudonym that is a very poor attempt at lampooning Calum/Malcolm MacDonald is, for me, beneath contempt.

Calumny indeed...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Calumny indeed...

Evidently a Malcolmtent.