According to commissioning notes seen by The Times, BBC bosses are trying to make Radio 3 more accessible.
New guidance says that presenters shouldn't use "presumptuous phrases" like "of course", "we all know that", "we all presume that" and "and so forth".
Moreover:
New guidance says that presenters shouldn't use "presumptuous phrases" like "of course", "we all know that", "we all presume that" and "and so forth".
Moreover:
Ideally, presenters should not be experts. “They should feel like they are sharing their experience, offering their enthusiasms and recommendations but not lecturing,” the brief states.
A Radio 3 spokeswoman says: “We’re always looking for different ways to welcome as many people as possible to the high-quality arts and classical programming. You don’t need to be an expert to tune in.”
So brace yourselves:
Bom Bom Bommmmmm. (long pause). That was the Erotica Symphony by...(pause. Checks notes)...Ludwig von Beethoven. I enjoyed that, and I hope you did too. It slipped down nicely with a cup of coffee and a hobnob here in the studio. While we were listening to it I got a very interesting text from a loyal listener, Paul, who tells me that 2020 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of von Beethoven. I didn't know that, did you? Happy birthday Ludwig. You're listening to Radio 3 Brunch, I'm Ash Sarkar, and the time is...(pause)...10.23. Now, what have we got next? A song by Schubert...is he the same as Schumann?...It's called Du Bist die Ruh. Wonder what that means in English? If any of you know, please text us at @BBCRadio3Brunch.
*******
Who needs satire though? Here's The Times again:
The guidance makes clear that Sunday Feature, Radio 3’s weekly documentary series, is aimed at a “general arts audience” and must not presume audience knowledge. The programme has built a reputation for heavyweight documentaries on figures such as Richard Wagner and Albert Camus but is now looking for pitches on contemporary preoccupations such as “technology, Asia and identity politics"."...and identity politics"! You couldn't make it up.
I wish they would get rid of that 'expert', Neil Brand, who can analyse away any enjoyment that we plebs might have had for a film theme!
ReplyDeleteNice the way you left it to two-thirds through for the full horror to emerge - Ash Sarkar at the mike! :)
ReplyDelete"It's simply not fair that players' instrument vary in weight so much. Compare the effort a tuba player has to put in with that of a piccolo player or even a flautist. Instrument weights should be much more evenly balanced and we need to see more diverse people taking up the role of conductor. If that means throwing all the existing conductors from our most prestigious orchestras into labour camps and getting them to haul timber across barren wastes, so be it, it's a small price to pay."
The BBC have lost the kudos they used to enjoy by virtue of their high quality sound reproduction and broadcast. In the early days of FM transmission, 'live' concerts sounded 'live'. It was the ambient sounds that mattered, giving confidence to the listener.
ReplyDeleteIf sound engineering meant anything then, it was in the set-up, which, if done well, enabled the listener uninterrupted enjoyment. With the introduction of DAB, there's nothing that hasn't passed through the 'sound desk' - music cut and filleted so that a version can be posted at low resolution on the Sounds App.
BBC Broadcasting House was founded on the need for integrity of sound quality. Sound stages were in effect concert halls with passive acoustic treatments to ensure the best achievable 'high fidelity'. As with many art forms, music is treated by the BBC as grist to their PC mill - with one outcome, which might be described as mediocre at best.
There must be an award somewhere for the most patronising organisation in the world. How much more contempt for their audience can they possibly have? Would it even occur to these idiots that we actually do want to listen to “heavyweight” documentaries on figures such as Richard Wagner and Albert Camus.
ReplyDeleteIf all the BBC have to offer is popular entertainment and lectures on diversity what is the point of the BBC? I have defended the idea of public service broadcasting in the past, at least in principal, but now I think the BBC has outlived its usefulness. The license fee has to go.
Reminds me of when the Music Programme started in the 60s. "Now let's go for a ride with the Valkyries!"
ReplyDelete