Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[oddoneout]

indeed ….. a waste in my view

If the programme bore more resemblance to what it was when he left/was pushed I might wish that he returned on a more permanent basis. But it doesn't(which is why I don't listen anymore) and I don't know, given his approach to the(considerably fewer) ad insertions/Beeb promos when he was there full time, whether he would even want to do so?

[antongould]

Skellers reappeared yesterday - a pleasant change. He seems to have reverted to occasional substitute - pity.

Another full week next week we are getting spoilt

[Ein Heldenleben]

Skellers is such a good presenter. Doing a great job with this tribute to Private Passions - some relevant and amusing anecdotes about the clips that aren’t all about him.

And even a piece from John Foulds - the terrific April, England . More please…

[smittims]

I must say I'm disppointed at the increase of of bits fo film music, as much of it is not 'classical' and is close to 'crossover'.In my view, apart from a few notable exceptions (Vaughan Williams and Walton ) it means little when not heard with the film. But some composers seem to think it's a source of inspiration. The latest 25 for 25' contribution, supposedly about the Japanese earhquake, sounded to me like a slice of TV-documentary backround music .

[antongould]

If it’s half term it must be Skellers ……..

[Pulcinella]

Aargh!
We can now speak our comments into our smart speakers.....and they're being read out.

My misfortune to come across this today: ironing downstairs and couldn't be bothered to fetch a CD to play instead.

[french frank]

Aargh!
We can now speak our comments into our smart speakers.....and they're being read out.

My misfortune to come across this today: ironing downstairs and couldn't be bothered to fetch a CD to play instead.

Baby. Bathwater.

[oddoneout]

Aargh!
We can now speak our comments into our smart speakers.....and they're being read out.

My misfortune to come across this today: ironing downstairs and couldn't be bothered to fetch a CD to play instead.

Don't think the type of comments we make would be read out. This will be in part a version of those rigged 5* review sites where only favourable input sees the light of day.

[AuntDaisy]

Aargh!
We can now speak our comments into our smart speakers.....and they're being read out.

My misfortune to come across this today: ironing downstairs and couldn't be bothered to fetch a CD to play instead.

I know the feeling.

Showered with Breakfast on & forced to listen to endless waffle about TM's (& producer Barnaby's) primary school days in response to Tony Hart's 100th anniversary.
I do like Tony Hart, but what does he have to do with "The Home of Classical Music"?

Can't help but hope that the Smart speaker voice recognition will make some gaffs and they'll get broadcast...

[vinteuil]

.

... I can just about cope with irrelevance

It's the inanity that drives me to despair...

.

[antongould]

Aargh!
We can now speak our comments into our smart speakers.....and they're being read out.

My misfortune to come across this today: ironing downstairs and couldn't be bothered to fetch a CD to play instead.

listening to Skellers yesterday, as one must, my understanding is that it is not, at the moment, for comments on the station/programme but purely for suggestions for the daily playlist ……

[AuntDaisy]

.

... I can just about cope with irrelevance

It's the inanity that drives me to despair....

There's always R3 Unwind.

[Pulcinella]

listening to Skellers yesterday, as one must, my understanding is that it is not, at the moment, for comments on the station/programme but purely for suggestions for the daily playlist ……

Ah.
But even so, those with smart enough speakers could perhaps flood them with requests to play whole works.
With the station on as background while I tussled with the duvet covers, I failed to see the logic behind (for example) playing only one movement of a Haydn cello concerto. Each movement is short enough to keep the attention span alive, surely, so why not play the whole thing, even if for whatever reason you don't get to hear it?

[french frank]

Each movement is short enough to keep the attention span alive, surely, so why not play the whole thing, even if for whatever reason you don't get to hear it?

That has always been my argument. What is the difference between playing three-four short(ish) movements consecutively from the same work and playing three-four short unconnected 'full' works? Ah ... no space for regular trails and entertaining contributions from listeners and the inimitable Skellers. 'Nuff said

[Ein Heldenleben]

Ah.
But even so, those with smart enough speakers could perhaps flood them with requests to play whole works.
With the station on as background while I tussled with the duvet covers, I failed to see the logic behind (for example) playing only one movement of a Haydn cello concerto. Each movement is short enough to keep the attention span alive, surely, so why not play the whole thing, even if for whatever reason you don't get to hear it?

Yesterday on In Tune a rather good pianist played the third movement from Beethoven Op 101 Piano Sonata As you know this is essentially a beautiful recitativo introduction to a reprise of the opening phrase of the first movement which then leads to a series of trills in the dominant before the finale in A major. Unbelievably the unfortunate pianist was forced to terminate the slow movement on the final Emajor chord which leads into the first movt reprise.

The original is an exceptionally clever piece of late Beethoven integration and seamlessness.

…this abrupt termination sounded absolutely bloody awful…