Prom 16: Ibiza/Cobblers Prom (29.07.15)

[Pianorak]

More advice in the lengthy comments section under this article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...presenter.html

Klein added that welcoming “an arena full of dance-crazed ravers” was entirely in keeping with the ambition of Sir Henry Wood, who conducted the first Prom in 1895, “to present the widest range of music, performed to the highest standards, to the largest possible audience”.

Ah well, if Sir Henry approves - that's all right then.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Further to the addictive club anthem/Brahms symphony false dichotomy, she goes on (in the original Radio Times piece) to say: "though I treasure Mozart's operas, I'll never tire of the pin-sharp rhymes and rhythms of great rap. Who says you're not allowed to enjoy all of it?"

Well - who? Did anyone say that? The article smacks desperately of getting her retaliation in first. And she displays the lamentable lack of understanding of the classical music audience (in all its demographic complexity) that has typified R3 in the Wright era. The 18-30 audience for this sort of thing is an ephemeral one. It's in no way comparable to - indeed the absolute opposite of - having a glimpse of classical music at Glastonbury (see her penultimate para). Indeed the organisers of the latter, Ms Eavis and co, seem to have a pin-sharp understanding of their audience.

[MrGongGong]

I discovered The Orb by listening to Radio 3

I discovered Arvo Pärt by listening to Radio 1

Just saying

(there are no Barbarians)

But I suspect it will be sh*te for contextual, not musical, reasons.

[french frank]

I couldn't find Marie Lloyd in the list of Sir Henry's invited performers. Nor Vesta Tilley. Or Florrie Forde. So not quite the "widest range of music" - not the music of the "populace". There was the equivalent of Brian Kay's Light Programme music at the first Prom, but that seems to be what Robert Newman meant by 'popular'.

However, as I said on the Radio Times site, the BBC has the power to present whatever it likes at the Proms - just as the government has the power to clobber the BBC. But people have a right to challenge the decisions and ask for explanations without being attacked for doing so. I hope Ms Klein hasn't forgotten that Radio 3's Proms quarter last year had its lowest audience for years?

I've posted this on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/friendsofradio3

Klein added that welcoming “an arena full of dance-crazed ravers” was entirely in keeping with the ambition of Sir Henry Wood, who conducted the first Prom in 1895, “to present the widest range of music, performed to the highest standards, to the largest possible audience”.

Ah well, if Sir Henry approves - that's all right then.

[gurnemanz]

"Only snobs object to a Pete Tong Prom" ....... Factually incorrect: I object. I am not a snob. I suspect they regard this as imaginative programming, but it is quite easy to re-hash something which is already very popular (the concert is sold out.) Imaginative programming would be to highlight some works which are less well-known but deserve exposure to the wider audience, which the Proms provide. Although I wouldn't be joining Suzy in her "dancing to an addictive club anthem", my objection is not necessarily to the music itself. I rather enjoyed the concert's vocalist, Ella Eyre, on TV from Glasto but find it hard to accept that the Proms is the appropriate arena for her performance.

On the other hand, it's only one late-night concert, and I wouldn't wish to get things out of proportion.

[french frank]

On the other hand, it's only one late-night concert, and I wouldn't wish to get things out of proportion.

She appears to be the one who has focused her comments on that one.

[french frank]

She appears to be the one who has focused her comments on that one.

And on reflection I think this is just a publicity stunt to boost the now-imminent Proms .

[ahinton]

Further to the addictive club anthem/Brahms symphony false dichotomy, she goes on (in the original Radio Times piece) to say: "though I treasure Mozart's operas, I'll never tire of the pin-sharp rhymes and rhythms of great rap. Who says you're not allowed to enjoy all of it?"

Well - who? Did anyone say that? The article smacks desperately of getting her retaliation in first.

Spot on. Of course no one suggested any such thing, although it seems not unlikely that those who do enjoy both more or less equally are probably in an even smaller minority than those who enjoy Medieval Music, Méhul, Myaskovsky or Merzbow. Her suggestion rather reminds me of Anthony Payne's remark that it's perfectly possible to love Delius AND Webern (to which I nevertheless responded that it's not been made compulsory, though). In any case, how can SK, in opining that she'll "never tire of the pin-sharp rhymes and rhythms of great rap", be so certain that her tastes will never change or develop and, if she is and she's right to be so, what's she doing as an R3 presenter? And where in any case might it leave her or her inflexible tastes should rap go out of fashion?

[ahinton]

Klein added that welcoming "an arena full of dance-crazed ravers" was entirely in keeping with the ambition of Sir Henry Wood, who conducted the first Prom in 1895, "to present the widest range of music, performed to the highest standards, to the largest possible audience".

Was it, now? So why, throughout no less than half a century of conducting the Proms since their inception, did he never contemplate advocating anything remotely resembling "an arena of dance-crazed ravers" himself?

Ah well, if Sir Henry approves - that's all right then.

The trouble is that, having shuffled off his mortal baton some seven decades ago, he cannot answer back with his approval or otherwise...

[Pabmusic]

... The article smacks desperately of getting her retaliation in first. And she displays the lamentable lack of understanding of the classical music audience (in all its demographic complexity) that has typified R3 in the Wright era. The 18-30 audience for this sort of thing is an ephemeral one....

...And on reflection I think this is just a publicity stunt to boost the now-imminent Proms .

Oh my! Again, no-one reads my posts (I post so much that raises no comment that I must be either very dull - don't comment! - or very insignificant). Try no. 25.

[french frank]

Oh my! Again, no-one reads my posts (I post so much that raises no comment that I must be either very dull - don't comment - or very insignificant). Try no. 25.

I did read it, with great enjoyment . But I think my one-liner puts it in a nutshell rather more explicitly. If I may say so

[Pabmusic]

...I think my one-liner puts it in a nutshell rather more explicitly. If I may say so

Indeed it does.

[gradus]

Apropos a comment earlier in the thread isn't Glastonbury a 'great music festival' too? The London Sinfonietta played Steve Reich there last year. Can't see why the Proms another 'great music festival' shouldn't broaden its scope.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Pabmusic - very amusing, I did read it, thanks for the time spent writing it. If only you would write for WIA! I find myself wishing this thread was only one page with your post and FF's pithy summary.

Every year there are a number - well under 10, Proms that "reach out" to other audiences. In short we aren't their audience for those - hardly news. The best defence is surely to completely ignore this when it arises, because we are just set up as scapegoats for unthinking populism. I'm disappointed in Ms Klein but she will no doubt climb the BBC/broadcasting greasy pole; we are fortunate other R3 presenters preserve their integrity. In short, I feel the best response is

[Pabmusic]

...If only you would write for WIA!...

?????