New Proms Director

[mercia]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/david-pickard?ns_mchannel=email&ns_source=inxmail_newsletter&ns_campaign=bbcmediacentre_corporate__&ns_linkname=na&ns_fee=0

[french frank]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/lat...me=na&ns_fee=0

Interesting?

For a moment I thought it might be that AD had fled in terror, pursued by the FoR3 bear …

[doversoul1]

Rather a lot of emphasis on new and wider audiences. I hope the new director has somewhat different ideas about how to put this into practice from how things have been in the last few years.

"I look forward now to building on the founding principles of the Proms - to bring world-class classical music to the widest possible audience."

Helen Boaden, director of BBC Radio, said Pickard had "an outstanding track record in bringing new audiences to classical music".

His achievements at Glyndebourne have included the discovery of exciting new artistic talent and the establishment of a range of new initiatives to bring opera to wider audiences through Glyndebourne's touring, education and digital activities

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32881898

[french frank]

Rather a lot of emphasis on new and wider audiences. I hope the new director has somewhat different ideas about how to put this into practice from how things have been in the last few years.

He does say 'to bring world-class classical music' to the widest possible audience, and Boaden 'bringing new audiences to classical music'. At face value that is surely to be applauded? If that was a prime concern of his predecessor, it wasn't obvious. New audiences to the Proms, yes; but not necessarily to classical music of any description.

Is this something to be detached (if no one minds!) for a new discussion on the Proms?

[Serial_Apologist]

He does say 'to bring world-class classical music' to the widest possible audience, and Boaden 'bringing new audiences to classical music'. At face value that is surely to be applauded? If that was a prime concern of his predecessor, it wasn't obvious. New audiences to the Proms, yes; but not necessarily to classical music of any description.

Is this something to be detached (if no one minds!) for a new discussion on the Proms?

I think this is as good a place as any, to keep our beady eyes on Mr Pickard, as he, er, settles into his new job.

[french frank]

I think this is as good a place as any, to keep our beady eyes on Mr Pickard, as he, er, settles into his new job.

News that got back to me from journalists was that Roger was very much a 'party animal', hosting expensive events for the press; and rather revelled in meeting the celebrities (Barenboim, perhaps, but Pet Shop Boys/Rufus Wainwright at least as much). Pickard looks a bit less … flamboyant than Roger.

We have Jarvis Cocker coming up this year, but it looks - am I wrong? - as if there has been a bit of rowing back from the naked 'pop' appeal of last year …

[MrGongGong]

I don't know him
BUT many of the folks I have seen commenting on social media about this I would have a lot of respect for.

The job IS to bring music to the "widest possible audience", that's one of the main reasons the Proms were started in the first place
if you want a museum there are plenty in the vicinity of the RAH

[vinteuil]

... Roger was very much a 'party animal'
…

... o, if only our previous forum member - an American - had known! She was much an admirer of his lutrine charms...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I think this is as good a place as any, to keep our beady eyes on Mr Pickard, as he, er, settles into his new job.

But we should give him a fair chance.

[french frank]

The job IS to bring music to the "widest possible audience", that's one of the main reasons the Proms were started in the first place

But he doesn't seem to think that means ANY sort of music.

There used to be an argument (c. 2003) that went:

A: Why are they now playing all this non-classical music in Morning on 3, when it's a classical music programme?

B: It isn't a classical music programme - look at all the non-classical music they play …

[MrGongGong]

But he doesn't seem to think that means ANY sort of music.

There used to be an argument (c. 2003) that went:

A: Why are they now playing all this non-classical music in Morning on 3, when it's a classical music programme?

B: It isn't a classical music programme - look at all the non-classical music they play …

I'm not sure what your point is?
R3 is not the Proms

Some music works really well in the RAH some doesn't
as many in here often have commented some of their best Proms experiences have been all night Indian music, the Gothic Symphony and Cage/Cunningham etc

I just find it extraordinary that some (not ALL) folks seem to object to the idea of "wider audiences"

Rather a lot of emphasis on new and wider audiences

which I read as a criticism

Whether it's done well or badly is something else IMV

[doversoul1]

He does say 'to bring world-class classical music' to the widest possible audience, and Boaden 'bringing new audiences to classical music'. At face value that is surely to be applauded? If that was a prime concern of his predecessor, it wasn't obvious. New audiences to the Proms, yes; but not necessarily to classical music of any description.

Yes, the fact that the new director is not afraid of saying ‘classical music’ is a hopeful sign. As for new audiences, his predecessor’s focus seemed to have been on new audiences and not particularly on classical music. Let’s hope David Pickard, with the new Controller, will take classical music and its listeners, new or old, seriously.

[french frank]

I'm not sure what your point is?
R3 is not the Proms

It was a subtle argument - esoteric, even. It was an analogy, not saying that R3 was the Proms.

I just find it extraordinary that some (not ALL) folks seem to object to the idea of "wider audiences"
which I read as a criticism

Criticism, as in 'is to be applauded'? It depends on the nature of the 'wider audience' - if the Proms included Sumo Wrestling they would get a wider audience.

[MrGongGong]

if the Proms included Sumo Wrestling they would get a wider audience.

I'd prefer that to The Dream of ..............i'll get my coat

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'd prefer that to The Dream of ..............i'll get my coat

That sold out within the first hour. I'll help you put that coat on.