I have spent as much time as anyone on here commenting on Radio 3's current shortcomings. I am, however, wary of joining in the chorus too vehemently, knowing that criticism is often orchestrated by haters of public service broadcasting, as epitomised by the BBC, which they would like to abolish or privatise, i.e. people who are not "friends of Radio 3" at all. It is not surprising that radio stations during the day have to make some concession to the fact that many people are listening while not able to concentrate properly on the content (driving a car, for example). I can remember when the Third Programme did not even broadcast during the day. The German equivalents I know, such as MDR and Bayern Klassik, include traffic updates, news and weather on the hour and much talk and a fair sprinkling of non-classical music.
I have read the CFM contribution referred to, which contains many valid points. They make their case very effectively but it is no surprise to me that CFM would like to retain its monopoly of bland, low grade classical entertainment. I am neither a heavy intellectual nor a trained musician or musicologist, but I am a fanatical listener to classical music with a ludicrous 5000 CDs on my shelves. I also do like to be challenged – but not all day, every day. Every day Radio 3 plays dozens of pieces with which I am unfamiliar, if I am inclined to listen.
When Radio 3 is awful, I simply turn it off. There are enough alternatives. I have, however, spoken to quite a few people I know, who are not morons, who do actually like the morning stuff that we round here condemn. To my dismay, on one occasion, I heard the name of a friend of mine read out because she had won the musical brainteaser. Some people do actually seem to like that kind of thing, but even when it dumbs down, Radio 3 seldom becomes as insufferable as Classic FM, which I cannot listen to for more than five minutes.
I suppose we need both a cultural channel and a wall-to-wall classical music station, such as Rai 5 via satellite which I tune in to a lot.
I have read the CFM contribution referred to, which contains many valid points. They make their case very effectively but it is no surprise to me that CFM would like to retain its monopoly of bland, low grade classical entertainment. I am neither a heavy intellectual nor a trained musician or musicologist, but I am a fanatical listener to classical music with a ludicrous 5000 CDs on my shelves. I also do like to be challenged – but not all day, every day. Every day Radio 3 plays dozens of pieces with which I am unfamiliar, if I am inclined to listen.
When Radio 3 is awful, I simply turn it off. There are enough alternatives. I have, however, spoken to quite a few people I know, who are not morons, who do actually like the morning stuff that we round here condemn. To my dismay, on one occasion, I heard the name of a friend of mine read out because she had won the musical brainteaser. Some people do actually seem to like that kind of thing, but even when it dumbs down, Radio 3 seldom becomes as insufferable as Classic FM, which I cannot listen to for more than five minutes.
I suppose we need both a cultural channel and a wall-to-wall classical music station, such as Rai 5 via satellite which I tune in to a lot.
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