Radio 3 schedule changing soon

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

I hate change, so this is never welcome news. Having said that, it looks like it could be worse. I mostly listen in the early morning. Glad to see Petroc Trelawney will still be on Mon-Fri, but I will miss Martin Handley, who is being dropped from the Sunday morning programme. Elizabeth Alker retained on Saturdays. I can take her or leave her.

This looks like a comprehensive summary of what's happening and the new schedule, which looks likely to kick in next month. New schedule for BBC Radio 3 from April 2024 - Thoroughly Good Classical Music

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

P.S. I assume it's in an effort to save money that some programmes will be produced from Salford, not London. Given R3's huge amount of live broadcasting of concerts from London, this doesn't seem very sensible.

[HarpQuartet]

Thanks for this - I was just thinking of the R3 appreciation thread this morning. They were playing a piece on Sound of Cinema that was itching away at my brain, then I realised what it sounded like: the middle 8 of the Cagney and Lacey theme tune! I like Record Review where it is and probably won't hear it any more. The only bit I might seek out on catch-up would be Building a Library, if it was a piece I was particularly interested in. I like Tom Service so happy to have a bit more of him, and recruiting Nicola Benedetti is a good call. I didn't know Clive Marie had any interest in classical music.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Yes, he's done a few programmes on radio and probably TV. I assume he's one of the presenters the BBC pays a small fortune to in return for getting him to turn his hand to lots of different stuff - presenting the news from Ukraine, Mastermind, Radio 3, you name it, he'll do it. Fine by me as I like him as a presenter.

[HarpQuartet]

Do you sometimes think of being a radio presenter? I think I'd like it a little bit, but would die inside at having to have my photo on the BBC Sounds app and manage the tiny bit of fame that would come with the job. I have a very active imagination.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

I think it's probably far, far harder than it sounds and I'd be rubbish at it! If even someone as experienced as Jim Naughtie can get Jeremy Hunt's name wrong ....

Decades ago we were listening to Radio 3 when somebody, either the presenter or the producer or the studio engineer, spilled a mug of coffee all over the controls. We laughed a lot but I don't imagine the BBC management were impressed.

[HarpQuartet]

Haha, and yes, I suspect there's a level of being cool, calm and collected that is not in my gift.

[AsTheyPulledYouOutOfTheOxygenTent]

More Tom Service is always good.

And because I listen to R3 at work (either while WFH, or on headphones while I'm in the open plan office) I'm happy to have CotW shifted later, it doesn't really work for me at lunchtime.

[HarpQuartet]

Ooh, did you catch Caroline Shaw's recent series on R3? She's a wonderful explainer. I'd be happy for them to commission more from her.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Caroline Shaw who wrote this? I heard this on IWD (not the first time R3 had played it) and it's really got under my skin. Gorgeous.

[HarpQuartet]

Yes, that's her. The BBC also used the opening of one of her pieces for a drama series called Marriage. Having just googled it, I see it divided opinion, but it's a yes from me. The first bit of this: Here

[MrsDanversGlidesAgain]

Phew, Early Music Show saved but moved.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

I'm so glad R3 is getting FNIMN, I've listened to it for years, and was very sad when it was dropped last year. I can put "going to a live recording" back on my wishlist now!

I like both Katie Derham and Petroc Trewlaney, but did like it being hosted by different people depending on the week or theme, so hopefully that will continue that.

I listen between R2 and R3 anyway so don't mind the shuffling, but R3 does seem to be getting a few bits of R2 shunted over!

[CranfordScones]

Free Thinking seems to be moving to Radio 4. I wonder if it will still be 3 times a week.

There's no other programme where you can hear truly informed intellects discussing a weighty topic, and no one's there to plug anything.

On Radio 4, I expect they'll have more comedians on the panel, in order not to scare off the listeners.

[Igneococcus]

Today is the first day I'm actually in the country since the schedule change and I don't like it. I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually but right now I greatly dislike it. I don't want composer of the week at 4 pm, I can't listen to something with too much talking at that time, I'm at work. Thank god for youtube, especially the HR symphony orchestra channel. Glad Petroc is still there for the breakfast show.

[ZebraNIceHorse]

I've listened to Radio 3 for 30 years, but the changes it's making are causing me to go elsewhere for classical choice. I read recently that the station is " hemorrhaging" listenership and I'm not an expert on media business, but I know I like it less now than I previously did. I listen to Radio Swiss Classic which plays the type of music I love and there's very little chatter on it.

[cassiatwenty]

@ZebraNIceHorse Radio Swiss Classic is such a good choice

[Unusualactualname]

Love the music but I'm a sporadic (albeit regular) listener and it seems that every time I turn to the station someone is talking. I want music, not talk.