Thoroughly Good Words inspired by things that happened in the classical music world this week. Mild snark. Far from exhaustive.
Imbalancing Act
Music agency Intermusica have seized the opportunity to position themselves as right thinking individuals by withdrawing their subscription to social media platform X. They’re going to continue posting to the platform because, presumably like most of the rest of us, they recognise that’s where their audience remains. “Whilst we continue to post to X, which continues to be popular among our East Asian audiences, we are no longer prepared to support X financially.” Intermusica represents disgraced conductor John Eliot Gardiner who some commentators have highlighted sought to ‘gazump’ his former ensemble The Monteverdi Choir in an aggressive series of promotions, staging duplicate concerts the same week as the Monteverdis.
New Trustees Bring Media Nous and Financial Acumen to RLPS Board
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society have announced three new board members. Jernice Easthope, Tom Lewis and David Lloyd bring experience and expertise from the entertainment, financial and music industries.
It’s an impressive collective CV the new trustees bring to the table. Jernice has produced and filmed for BBC, ITV, Discovery and NBC as well as working on Britain’s Got Talent, Dragon’s Den, and The X Factor. Lewis is Co-President of Decca Records and has worked with a wide range of pop and classical artists. Financial adviser and regular RLPO attendee David Lloyd has 40 years of experience in investment banking and as a corporate finance partner at PWC and Ernst & Young.
ENO’s Next Chapter
English National Opera will have been pleased with their big event this week. After a lot of heartache post-Arts Council funding announcements a couple of years back, ENO have secured partnerships with venues and organisations across Greater Manchester. Expect “contemrpoary works, new work development in opera, ENO signature classics, interdisciplinary experimentations … with and for communities, and developing the opera-makers of today and tomorrow.” Such a perfectly crafted statement makes you wonder what all the fuss was about. Yet, there’s a sense that after the furore (it was rightly heated, painful and depressing) this might be a new start and that there’s a will for it to work. Some of us didn’t want you to leave London ENO, but we absolutely want you to succeed nonetheless. Shame you didn’t send the press release.
Radio 3 Unwinds Awaiting Ofcom’s Verdict Amid Industry Scrutiny
BBC Radio 3 Unwind currently awaits Ofcom approval for its digital radio licences. The digital ‘stream’ was launched recently by the BBC offering the chance for people to chill out, relax, and generally calm the fuck down listening to a carefully selected playlist occasionally interrupted by earnest presenters glossily introducing mood-optimised music. Commercial radio is lodging objections with Ofcom (as they often do) regarding the BBC’s strategy of launching ‘offshoot’ stations (Radio 1 Anthems launched recently too), pointing out that the move is anti-competitive given that other stations are offering a similar service. Radio 3 Unwind does undoubtedly look quite similar to Bauer’s Scala Radio (now Magic Classical) afternoon and overnight output, though presumably the BBC are overlooking it in its pitch to Ofcom because of its low audience share. BBC Radio 3 Controller Sam Jackson’s popped up on Radio 4’s Feedback in a 14 minute segment (half the programme) cheerily asserting that no, Radio 3 Unwind was distinctive and deriding one unnamed critic’s dimissing of the stream as ‘mindful mush’. For the record (and the rightful credit, the critic was Ivan Hewett). When Roger Bolton presented Feedback a few years back the programme had some weight. Now toothless, the episode platformed Jackson’s appreciative response to glowing audience feedback. Industry commentatators concur that Ofcom will wave it through. If they were listening to Feedback there’ll be no doubt.
Violinist Laura Samuels dies
Surprise news from the U.K. classical music world — violinist, BBC Scottish Symphony leader, and chamber musician Laura Samuels has passed away. Touching tributes from RPS and Ian Skelly (amongst others).
