Decline of BBC R3 etc

[Jonathan]

Afraid I do not agree with that. Since Roger Wright took over, Radio 3 has become childish, banal, verbose, and repetitive. The historic information given is biased and disingenuous.
It seems that the government is wanting to privatise the BBC and it is being commercialised in preparation for the sell off.

Sorry to be so pessimistic.

Sad to say that I feel I have to agree with you about this Hatoff.

[thalbergmad]

They seem to be broadcasting a lot of single movements nowadays which I find irritating.

Might as well go to Classic FM.

Thal

[Gareth Vaughan]

They seem to be broadcasting a lot of single movements nowadays which I find irritating.

I do agree with this observation - and it is intensely irritating.
What is lacking in Radio 3 - and has been for a long time - is confidence in the Reithian view of Radio as a tool for instruction and education (there are programmes which are both instructive and educative, I admit, but, by and large, the tenor of R3 as a whole has become - like The Gramophone - that of a glossy colour supplement).  The intellectual capability of listeners is underestimated, and we are thus patronised. Why can it not be (as it used to be) safely assumed that the listener (a) will know what is meant by "allegro", and (b) has no interest in where the presenter went for his or her holiday, or what they were doing last Tuesday lunchtime?  On a very basic level: tell us about the music you are going to play, then play it, then refrain from gratuitous comment (e.g. "I don't know about you but the first time I heard that piece I was in Edinburgh; it was bitterly cold and wet but the music transported me to the warmth and brightness of the Mediterranean" - I actually don't care! The programme should be about the music, not you).

[Lionel Harrsion]

I agree too but I have a nasty feeling we are all baying at the moon.

[Gareth Vaughan]

Alas! I fear you are right.

[semloh]

....What is lacking in Radio 3 - and has been for a long time - is confidence in the Reithian view of Radio as a tool for instruction and education (there are programmes which are both instructive and educative, I admit, but, by and large, the tenor of R3 as a whole has become - like The Gramophone - that of a glossy colour supplement).  The intellectual capability of listeners is underestimated, and we are thus patronised......

Yes, indeed. Testimony to this change are the informative introductions to many of the older Radio 3 recordings, available in the downloads section - a little about the composer, a short but detailed analytic description of the music (often quoting the composer), and maybe a word about the performers - all delivered without any patronizing, 'personality' element, or irrelevant tittle-tattle! It seems that just introducing the music is no longer enough - today's presenters all want to be "personalities"! 

[Dundonnell]

I do know-from an insider(the former Controller of Music for BBC Scotland)- that when Ian McIntyre was Controller of Radio 3 between 1978 and 1987 the standards of presentation which members would prefer were insisted upon with the utmost rigour. There were monthly meetings of all those responsible for music broadcasting at which the spoken introductions to broadcasts were re-examined to ensure that they met the high standards required,

There has clearly been a change in policy since then

[Mark Thomas]

I agree. Is it a reaction to the "competition" from Classic FM, I wonder? I assume that Radio 3 listener numbers are dwindling and this dumbing down is an attempt to retain listeners by moving it towards what's perceived as a more audience-winning formula. Or is it a reaction to the general dumbing down of society and in that sense it reflects societal changes rather than just changes in its own audience. When I listen to Radio 4's Feedback programme, there is always a plethora of letters moaning about any perceived change in Radio 4's programming or editorial standards but I don't recall ever having heard similar moans about Radio 3. Maybe we're the only people who care?

[Lionel Harrsion]

The BBC is suffering from the same malaise that's affecting many another institution -- the replacement of 'leadership' by 'management'. 

[Alan Howe]

...in the car this morning I heard the third movement of Beethoven 7 in Mackerras' corruscating SCO performance. Then: a Kreisler arrangement played by Tasmin Little. Thought I was listening to ClassicFM. If Beethoven's to be shorn of the rest of his symphonic torso, perhaps we should be calling for the head of the Controller - and chopping his legs off at the knees? Metaphorically speaking, of course.

[Gareth Vaughan]

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The BBC is suffering from the same malaise that's affecting many another institution -- the replacement of 'leadership' by 'management'. 

Oh, very well put. Spot on!

[Lionel Harrsion]

Thank you, Gareth.  I was a civil servant in central government for thirty-five years and I know whereof I speak!