Essential Classics - The Continuing Debate

[french frank]

…this abrupt termination sounded absolutely bloody awful…

R3 is like the manifesto of a political party: it's a take-it-or-leave-it package of bits you like and bits you hate. When the bits you hate take up too much space, you move on. The consideration with R3 is whether accepting the package on offer will in time make the whole better or worse.

[LMcD]

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…

Karim Said. He's also a conductor and composer.

[AuntDaisy]

According to Twitter, Ian Skelly is back on Essential Classics this week.
Much as I like IS, the blatant R3 plugs and excessive superlatives are very depressing. Once upon a time, R3 didn't need to do this.

Here's what he said...

"Mamma Mia, it's me; back here in the red cube. Hello, Ian Skelly here and here this week bringing you a wonderful stack of Essential Classics on BBC Radio 3, each and every morning from half past 9.
Today, for instance, I have a piece by Dvorak helped out by his mentor Brahms. We're going to build a playlist by travalling along the first bit of railway track to go in to service in Denmark, which on day one called for a special piece of music to mark the occasion.
I have an exclusive preview of a live performance you can hear on Radio 3 tonight. Our microphones captured a brilliant up-and-coming pianist in action - I was there to present the concert, so I can assure you it's worth being here for.
And my new album of the week comes from one of the world's top classical musicians who's teamed up with his brother, with other notable performers and with one of the world's greatest song writers. Let's just say you'll thank me for the music today. So, take a chance on me and you never know, you could be the winner who takes it all. Lots more clues as to who it is from half past 9. I'm here until 1 - on the home of Classical Music, BBC Radio 3 and on BBC Sounds."

Ian Skelly @Ianskellyradio3
Knowing Me Knowing You. Back in BBC BH for a week of Essential Classics @BBCRadio3 and if you’re working out What’s The Name of the Game or you’re a Dancing Queen, you may be surprised by one musician on my new album of the week. More from our man in the time warp…
8:40 AM · Oct 27, 2025·373 Views

[antongould]

According to Twitter, Ian Skelly is back on Essential Classics this week.
Much as I like IS, the blatant R3 plugs and excessive superlatives are very depressing. Once upon a time, R3 didn't need to do this.

Here's what he said...

"Mamma Mia, it's me; back here in the red cube. Hello, Ian Skelly here and here this week bringing you a wonderful stack of Essential Classics on BBC Radio 3, each and every morning from half past 9.
Today, for instance, I have a piece by Dvorak helped out by his mentor Brahms. We're going to build a playlist by travalling along the first bit of railway track to go in to service in Denmark, which on day one called for a special piece of music to mark the occasion.
I have an exclusive preview of a live performance you can hear on Radio 3 tonight. Our microphones captured a brilliant up-and-coming pianist in action - I was there to present the concert, so I can assure you it's worth being here for.
And my new album of the week comes from one of the world's top classical musicians who's teamed up with his brother, with other notable performers and with one of the world's greatest song writers. Let's just say you'll thank me for the music today. So, take a chance on me and you never know, you could be the winner who takes it all. Lots more clues as to who it is from half past 9. I'm here until 1 - on the home of Classical Music, BBC Radio 3 and on BBC Sounds."

Most excellent but only, of course, IMVVVHO

[french frank]

Most excellent but only, of course, IMVVVHO

And all credit where it's due!!

[AuntDaisy]

Most excellent but only, of course, IMVVVHO

More Skellers, please.

[LMcD]

According to Twitter, Ian Skelly is back on Essential Classics this week.
Much as I like IS, the blatant R3 plugs and excessive superlatives are very depressing. Once upon a time, R3 didn't need to do this.

Here's what he said...

"Mamma Mia, it's me; back here in the red cube. Hello, Ian Skelly here and here this week bringing you a wonderful stack of Essential Classics on BBC Radio 3, each and every morning from half past 9.
Today, for instance, I have a piece by Dvorak helped out by his mentor Brahms. We're going to build a playlist by travalling along the first bit of railway track to go in to service in Denmark, which on day one called for a special piece of music to mark the occasion.
I have an exclusive preview of a live performance you can hear on Radio 3 tonight. Our microphones captured a brilliant up-and-coming pianist in action - I was there to present the concert, so I can assure you it's worth being here for.
And my new album of the week comes from one of the world's top classical musicians who's teamed up with his brother, with other notable performers and with one of the world's greatest song writers. Let's just say you'll thank me for the music today. So, take a chance on me and you never know, you could be the winner who takes it all. Lots more clues as to who it is from half past 9. I'm here until 1 - on the home of Classical Music, BBC Radio 3 and on BBC Sounds."

A loverly bit of Lumbye!

[cloughie]

A loverly bit of Lumbye!

Someone’s playing Lord, Lumbye. (OK, so the e needs an acute!)