TV Proms

[Mr Pee]

You have to be on a channel that is set up to transmit HD, which BBC4 isn't. Try the red button on BBC1HD or BBC2HD. Otherwise, the BBC Red Button HD channel should be used.

Thank you, I shall try that next time and also Cali's suggestion to store 303 in the TV guide.

The BBC don't make it simple, do they?

[Bryn]

The BBC don't make it simple, do they?

Agreed, but my Panasonic HD/Blu-ray recorder does. When I use the 'Guide' facility to search out a programme to record, it advises me whether only an SD, or both SD and HD versions are available. It will even let me record both simultaneously, which is what I have done with the Proms broadcast simultaneously on both definitions to date. After topping, tailing and 'chapterising' those recordings I intend to burn them to Blu-ray in order to compare and contrast at some later date.

[maestro267]

I must rant.

Most of this year's televised Proms are, as has been the case for a few years now, delayed broadcasts. But this year, they are using this to remove items that appeared in the concert from the TV broadcast. And it is usually the world/UK premieres that get dumped, in favour of the established "classics". I thought BBC4 were above this kind of dumbing down. BBC4 should be the channel for high culture, high art, unedited art. But obviously not. It is horribly frustrating, knowing that TV viewers are being short-changed, and not able to experience the COMPLETE event that those of us who listen live on Radio 3 are able to experience. And all of this, just to fit in with TV scheduling. Many of the Proms broadcasts are now just 90 minutes as a result, not the normal concert length of 2½ hours.

It's also a shame because, for once, the world/UK premieres offered by the Proms this year are of a very high standard. Enjoyable works that, I personally hope, will have a life beyond this first performance. But knowing the state of contemporary recording, I sadly doubt this will happen.

[VodkaDilc]

It's not just television. I have just turned on R3 to hear the Prom I attended last Friday. I find it's an edited version - BBC-speak for "Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky but no sign of the newly commissioned work" (probably the one most people would like to hear for a second time.) Words fail me.

[Anna]

It's also a shame because, for once, the world/UK premieres offered by the Proms this year are of a very high standard. Enjoyable works that, I personally hope, will have a life beyond this first performance. But knowing the state of contemporary recording, I sadly doubt this will happen.

On the Colin Matthews thread someone has said that both Matthews brothers' premieres (which were omitted from the tv broadcasts) were filmed and form part of a New Music/Commissions programme which will, in due course, be broadcast. But it's not the same as being able to see in its entireity what you heard live on the night.
Messages 24 and 29: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...408#post318408

[mercia]

a New Music/Commissions programme which will, in due course, be broadcast.

I believe this will be Sunday 18th August, BBC4 - "New music at the Proms"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2013/categories/proms-on-tv

[Anna]

I believe this will be Sunday 18th August, BBC4 - "New music at the Proms"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/...es/proms-on-tv

Well spotted mercia! I've made a note on the calendar. The online BBC4 schedules don't go as far as the 18th but let us presume both Matthews pieces are there, be interesting to see what else (if anything) is included.

[french frank]

Well spotted mercia! I've made a note on the calendar. The online BBC4 schedules don't go as far as the 18th but let us presume both Matthews pieces are there, be interesting to see what else (if anything) is included.

Not quite sure what the policy is here. For the concerts themselves you include new pieces with more familiar ones in the hope that the new pieces will reach a wider audience. But for the television showings you cut them out of the concerts and tuck them into a special 'new music' corner all on their own for the aficionados? Or do I misunderstand something (it has happened!)?

[Anna]

Not quite sure what the policy is here. For the concerts themselves you include new pieces with more familiar ones in the hope that the new pieces will reach a wider audience. But for the television showings you cut them out of the concerts and tuck them into a special 'new music' corner all on their own for the aficionados? Or do I misunderstand something (it has happened!)?

Crikey frenchie - don't ask us, the R3 listeners and subsequent BBC 4 Proms coverage viewers - address your question to the Men in Suits in Charge as to what they are playing at!! I suspect we are like the Jassers, in that anyone wanting a bit of 'New Music' is to be shunted off to a late night ghetto where we won't frighten the CFM audience they are fighting for ......
As if any of the Matthews Brothers would startle the horses .... !! (Cue jokes about old warhorses)

[Anna]

The online schedule for the New Music Proms compilation for 18th August (as discussed on the Matthews thread and elsewhere) is now online. It says:
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Brand new sounds from the Proms in Tom Service's modern music series. Tom is joined by Southbank classical music supremo Gillian Moore to discuss a selection of premieres and new commissions from across the season at the Royal Albert Hall. Music ranges from the world premieres of John McCabe's Joybox and Mark-Anthony Turnage's Frieze to Murray Gold's new composition to mark Doctor Who's 50th birthday.

So no mention of the two Matthews pieces as yet.

[LHC]

I see that MacMillan's Violin Concerto has been omitted from the BBC4 broadcast tonight, although bizarrely the broadcast is advertised on the Proms on Four webpage with a clip from the Violin Concerto which will not now be shown!?!

[Anna]

I see that MacMillan's Violin Concerto has been omitted from the BBC4 broadcast tonight, although bizarrely the broadcast is advertised on the Proms on Four webpage with a clip from the Violin Concerto which will not now be shown!?!

I think it's a case of 'Auntie know best'?
Personally, I'm pretty fed up with televised Proms being messed about with. French frank (I think) mentioned some 'Policy' about this? ...........

[Simon Biazeck]

I see that MacMillan's Violin Concerto has been omitted from the BBC4 broadcast tonight, although bizarrely the broadcast is advertised on the Proms on Four webpage with a clip from the Violin Concerto which will not now be shown!?!

AND a photo of the composer who's work has been cut - rather harsh! Personally, I can't think of a good reason to omit it. Surely anyone who regularly tunes in to BBC 4 would not be perturbed by a contemporary score. Perhaps it's a time constraint. What's on after it? TOTP 2? Nuff said.

[VodkaDilc]

It seems as if each BBC serious channel eventually becomes populist (BBC1, BBC2, BBC4). Is it time for BBC5?

[french frank]

It seems as if each BBC serious channel eventually becomes populist (BBC1, BBC2, BBC4). Is it time for BBC5?

I remember when they had bridge and chess on BBC Two. Long periods of silence.

Am I right? I think the Adès was included - was it a live performance? Or just because TA was conducting?