A Specialist Classical Music Radio Station

[BBMmk2]

I have been thinking lately, of what if we were to set up a specialist classical music radio station, recently. And even a tv channel, perhaps? With this in mind, I thought it be a great fantasy idea on what we would like to have the type of programmes included?

[Nick Armstrong]

I have been thinking lately, of what if we were to set up a specialist classical music radio station, recently. And even a tv channel, perhaps? With this in mind, I thought it be a great fantasy idea on what we would like to have the type of programmes included?

I've fantasised on just that, Bbm! When ('when', note - not 'if' ... ) I win the multiple roll-over Euromillions (I never buy a ticket if it's less than £100 million), I have been thinking that I will use my £250 million (...some of it? ) to set up Radio Free - Classical.

The best presenters will defect to the sound of my moneybags - you name your ideal line-up, but I might as well tell you now: David Owen Norris, Stephen Plaistow, Catherine Bott (are you reading this, Catherine? ), Martin Handley, John Shea and - yes, I want to liberate him from the flamin' brain teasers - Rob Cowan, are all getting plenty of gigs

[BBMmk2]

My line up as well! I always thought that Natalie Wheen was rather good but I expect she has retired now? what about programmes. One, I think would be based on that much praised French radio programme about an in depth look at recordings of certain works? Also live concert relays and access from other radio stations too of quality? ie their programmes?

[Alain Maréchal]

Madame M. used to observe that I always found early morning easier to cope with when Susan Sharpe woke me.

[Nick Armstrong]

One, I think would be based on that much praised French radio programme about an in depth look at recordings of certain works?

[Nick Armstrong]

Madame M. used to observe that I always found early morning easier to cope with when Susan Sharpe woke me.

Say no more, Monsieur - she's in!

[Richard Tarleton]

My ideal line-up of presenters and in-house experts would rely heavily on reincarnation - Cormac Rigby, Michael Oliver, Peter Stadlen, Hans Keller - but all of those in Cali's thread and yes Catherine and Lucie (you forgot her)...

[french frank]

Of course, people could cut their broadcasting teeth on Radio 3 and you could then poach the best ones . How they performed on R3 would be a measure of their ambition to be headhunted ...

[Mind you - if I won a similar amount I'd be trying to lure the best of them on to my, broadly based, mainly classical station, including a range of selected jazz, world, folk and the arts - discussion and performance. Personally, I need a break from music ... . For my line-up, see the above, plus Alyn Shipton, Mary Anne Kennedy. And I might be persuaded to set up a repertory company for training radio actors, and incidentally, probably presenters too as a by-product. I wouldn't bother with television ...]

[aeolium]

Surely Jonathan Swain should be there as well?!

Like ff, I wouldn't want a purely classical music station and have already suggested what sort of content and style I would want in the "What do radio listeners want?" thread on the Ideas and Theory board.

[DracoM]

My line up as well! I always thought that Natalie Wheen was rather good but I expect she has retired now? what about programmes. One, I think would be based on that much praised French radio programme about an in depth look at recordings of certain works? Also live concert relays and access from other radio stations too of quality? ie their programmes?

Erm...............CDM, maybe? RIP.

[gradus]

I hope Donald Macleod would also get a look-in.

[DracoM]

Of course, people could cut their broadcasting teeth on Radio 3 and you could then poach the best ones . How they performed on R3 would be a measure of their ambition to be headhunted ...

[Mind you - if I won a similar amount I'd be trying to lure the best of them on to my, broadly based, mainly classical station, including a range of selected jazz, world, folk and the arts - discussion and performance. Personally, I need a break from music ... . For my line-up, see the above, plus Alyn Shipton, Mary Anne Kennedy. And I might be persuaded to set up a repertory company for training radio actors, and incidentally, probably presenters too as a by-product. I wouldn't bother with television ...]

Oh, please, plus LJ with Verity Sharpe too, please, please!

[BBMmk2]

yes indeed Aeolium! he be in as well! What about programmes and content?

[french frank]

Like ff, I wouldn't want a purely classical music station and have already suggested what sort of content and style I would want in the "What do radio listeners want?" thread on the Ideas and Theory board.

Ah! I think I've found my first Director-General - good salary attached!

Yes, there are a few others who don't get too much of a look-in on Radio 3 these days who slipped my memory. Jonathan, certainly, Paul Guinery. There would also be ("Pie! - Come down here at once!") a specialist news service. Mainly short bulletins, not very frequent and never interrupting programmes. Catriona Young in charge.

Draco: I'd think long and hard about the LJ concept (just as the 'Breakfast' concept has to be considered). It's billed as a 'mixed genre' programme, and I think I'd want something a bit more focused. LJ was part of the original strategy to attract people who 'don't already listen to R3' by doing something different, stretching the boundaries of what R3 did, rather than stretching the listener. It wouldn't get more than one hour, and possibly not at that time of day.

Sorry, completely off-topic as the thread is about a classical music station.

[teamsaint]

I thought that there might be a good thread on " What would you do with In Tune?"

I feel that its a good slot for a magazine format, but that its hopelessly under used.....

i would have much more music (and Arts) News, more current releases, keep the often interesting live music and the slightly eclectic mix, have some decent competitions with concert ticket prizes(I know, I know), features about upcoming festivals, (Tetbury this weekend for instance), some reviews, fewer interviews, and so on.

As for a presenter......