Well as we know, CBC Radio 2, the one we've loved so much, is now history.
Friday, was absolute torture listening to our favourite shows 'swan song' I was home from work in suffiecient time to hear a choked up Jurgen kill is mic right at the end of the show and not saying good bye.
Listening to Studio Sparks was truly poigniant in hearing Eric play Richard Strauss' 4 Last Songs. My absolute favourite song cycle
A sad day in history.
All I can say is that hopefully should we have an election & a 'proper' government gets we can turf out the current Chair of CBC & restore CBC Radio 2 to it's former & better glory.
I should also mention that once again, I had to blast the CBC Blogster as they were doing their best to censor comments.
As for the new CBC Radio 2, forget it. If this is any indication, the CBC Classical channel is a pure joke. No commentary & randomly played music (muzak) much like Galaxie. No hope there.
NPR is now my thing!!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Countdown under way!!!
Hey all, well it appears the countdown is underway as there is less than 2 months and counting.
If anyone reads this blog, I implore you, please, on Labour Day, phone, e-mail, write CBC to let them know you ARE NOT happy with you national broadcaster.
Don't let them get away with it.
No one should ram changes down our throat without consulting us. This is supposed to be a democracy
Less tha 2 months & counting
If anyone reads this blog, I implore you, please, on Labour Day, phone, e-mail, write CBC to let them know you ARE NOT happy with you national broadcaster.
Don't let them get away with it.
No one should ram changes down our throat without consulting us. This is supposed to be a democracy
Less tha 2 months & counting
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Quebec City's 400th Birthday
Well, as we know this is the 400th anniversary. Bonne Fete Quebec a 400 annes juene, vous est mervelliux.
I would write more in French, but my written command of the language might be really embarrasing.
My main reason for entry was the complete lack of coverage of a major event back in March & picked up for broadcast by NPR's WFMT.
Through an e-mail alert I found out WFMT was picking up a broadcast of Mahler's 8th Symphony. It was performed by L'Orchesrtre Symphonic du Quebec, 100o choir & audience of over 10,000.
Neither CBC R2 or Espace Musique picked this up for broadcast of this very historic event.
Again so much for culture in this land of ours
I would write more in French, but my written command of the language might be really embarrasing.
My main reason for entry was the complete lack of coverage of a major event back in March & picked up for broadcast by NPR's WFMT.
Through an e-mail alert I found out WFMT was picking up a broadcast of Mahler's 8th Symphony. It was performed by L'Orchesrtre Symphonic du Quebec, 100o choir & audience of over 10,000.
Neither CBC R2 or Espace Musique picked this up for broadcast of this very historic event.
Again so much for culture in this land of ours
Friday, June 20, 2008
Oh how pretentious
While checking something on the Facebook group to 'Save Classical Music at CBC' I came across the other one about 'In the Key of Charles'.
OMG is that photo of his PRETENTIOUS.
If a network is image concious at all, & we have to put up with this program, PLEASE AT LEAST GET A BETTER PHOTO!!!
OMG is that photo of his PRETENTIOUS.
If a network is image concious at all, & we have to put up with this program, PLEASE AT LEAST GET A BETTER PHOTO!!!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
My Response to Ricahard Stursberg's Chain E-mail
Well this now feels like the battle lines have been drawn between the big corporation & the little guy.
This is the typical response from Richard Stursberg & my rebuttle
His response;
Hello,Thank you for your interest in CBC Radio 2. As a result of your email,we thought you would be interested to hear of the announcements we’vemade about the hosts and programs for Radio 2 for this fall. We're veryexcited about our new line-up. Please have a look below for thedescription of our program schedule and biographies of our hosts. Wehope you'll check it all out in September and let us know what youthink.Best regards,Richard StursbergExecutive Vice-PresidentCBC English ServicesCBC Radio is delighted to announce the hosts for new programs slated toair this fall as part of the new radio schedule. While classical musicremains central to the schedule, there is now room for more excellentCanadian music in a mix of genres. These additions will complete thetransformation of CBC Radio 2 into a high quality, inclusive andcommercial-free Canadian adult music service. Monday to Friday from 6 to 10 a.m., Tom Allen will host CBC Radio 2’snew morning show, which will serve as the gateway to the new Radio 2schedule and will feature a wide range of music. At 10 a.m.,mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah will take the helm of the network’s newdaytime classical show, airing until 3 p.m. Then at 3 p.m., Rich Terfry,better known as Buck 65, will host Radio 2’s new drive-time songwritershow until 6 p.m. On the weekends, Molly Johnson will host the newmorning show airing Saturdays from 6 to 10 a.m. and Sundays from 6 to 8a.m. Completing the weekend schedule, Peter Togni will be ChoralConcert’s new host beginning in September, and Jurgen Gothe will hosta new weekly show on Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.Tom Allen needs no introduction to CBC Radio listeners. An accomplishedtrombonist, writer and broadcaster, he brings a wealth of experience andknowledge to every program he works on. Former host of such CBC Radioprograms as Weekender, Fresh Air and Music & Company, he returns to theweekday morning spot in a new show, one that will “feature a mix ofmusic that will set the tone for the day,” says Mark Steinmetz,director of Radio Music, “and represent the new direction that thenetwork is taking.”Julie Nesrallah is a versatile singer, at ease in all styles and wellversed in all forms of classical music. Chris Boyce, programmingdirector for CBC Radio, notes: “As soon as people listen to her, herappeal as a host, companion and broadcaster will be evident. Where shereally shines is her intimate knowledge of classical music, herdiscipline as a performer and certainly in the insight she will bring tomusic and musicians on the show.” Nesrallah is the recipient of manyprestigious awards and prizes, including the Canada Council for the ArtsEmerging Artist Award, the Brian Law Opera Award Grand Prize Winner, theCercle des Cents Associés Grand Prize Winner and the Journées de laMusique Française Grand Prize Winner. She is regularly cast in principalroles by leading opera companies across North America and abroad. Herroles include Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Suzuki (MadamaButterfly) and Maddalena (Rigoletto). A self-described “big music fan” with a vast record collection,innovative artist Rich Terfry calls upon the influences of folk, bluesand soul to create a unique and distinctive sound that’s difficult toclassify but easy to enjoy. A remarkable songwriter himself, hisexplorations and perspectives on other artists’ music are sure to beinsightful and entertaining. “No point of view, emotion, orinstrumentation is off-limits for me,” he says. “If I find an idea,memory, or emotion interesting enough to want to write about it, I justtry to turn that into music in as clear and honest a way aspossible.”Molly Johnson is one of Canada’s best-known singers, and herwide-ranging heartfelt music has long been a favourite of CBC Radiolisteners. She has rocked standing-room only audiences fromcoast-to-coast as a pop artist, and seduced the patrons of salons andlounges with her luscious interpretations of jazz and blues standards.She made history at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, becoming thefirst Canadian female vocalist in the festival's 17-year-history to sellout a show on the mainstage. She has regaled royalty during a privatecommand performance aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before the Princeand late Princess of Wales, as well as having performed for NelsonMandela and Quincy Jones. In 2007, she was honoured with becoming anOfficer of the Order Of Canada. “Molly is a terrific host,” saysSteinmetz. “She’s an ideal choice for weekend mornings - thoughtfuland knowledgeable, eclectic, a friendly voice to help ease you into yourday.”Peter Togni is a composer, broadcaster, organist and conductor. As acomposer, Togni’s choral works are sung by choirs throughout Canada,the United States and Europe. His works have been released on XXIRecords, CBC Records, Hänssler Classics and Warner Classics U.K. In2006, Togni was nominated for a Juno award in the category ClassicalComposer of the Year for his work Illuminations, written for theSanctuary Trio and the Sanctuary String Orchestra. Togni will hostChoral Concert from Halifax.Since 1985, Jurgen Gothe has been entertaining listeners with a mélangeof music, off-the-cuff commentary and his unique frequent flights offancy. Gothe will continue to showcase his exceptional knowledge ofmusic in his new time slot on Sundays, and will put his own indeliblemark on different themes as they relate to music. Gothe will host hisnew program from Vancouver.With these additions, CBC Radio 2 offers listeners the strongest groupof knowledgeable and welcoming music hosts anywhere in the country - oraround the world! Stay tuned this fall for the launch of an exciting newCBC Radio
My response;
I AM EXTREMELY disappointed with the completely impersonal response I received from you concerning the e-mail I had sent you earlier.This shows, to me at least, that CBC Radio does NOT care about it's listener's & is going to do what it wants regardless.I was under the impression that Canada is a democracy & were there changes to be made, consult the listeners who pay for CBC through our tax dollars.At this point, I really don't know what to say. I really think that CBC has lost touch with it's listener's in the completely inhuman approach it takes in responses.If the morning program during the weekdays is anything like 'Weekender' is now, rest assured, you WILL have one less listener to worry about, not that you care.Thankfully, I have alternatives. With over 1100 Classical cd's ranging from the 16th-20th Century, I can convert them to mp3 discs & run them on random during my days off. I have hundreds of lp's crying to be transferred to cd. Sadly there are those who have no alternative.It is interesting that you are gearing to a supposed age group of 35-49. Guess what, I'm 50, so I feel discriminated against. Again, you have ignored people who cannot afford, or want computers by relegating Classical music to the internet.In slotting Classical music from 10AM-3PM, you are ensuring people will not be listening to Classical music on CBC Radio 2. You've done a great job of purging Classical music from the airwaves.A once great institution now wanes. A sad day for CanadiansBased on the response I got from your last e-mail, at this point, I DO NOT expect the courtesy of a human response, but will be totally shocked if I do.Philip Elliott
Forgive the structuring of my response as I copied it from my e-mail.
Needless to say I am NOT amuzed!!
This is the typical response from Richard Stursberg & my rebuttle
His response;
Hello,Thank you for your interest in CBC Radio 2. As a result of your email,we thought you would be interested to hear of the announcements we’vemade about the hosts and programs for Radio 2 for this fall. We're veryexcited about our new line-up. Please have a look below for thedescription of our program schedule and biographies of our hosts. Wehope you'll check it all out in September and let us know what youthink.Best regards,Richard StursbergExecutive Vice-PresidentCBC English ServicesCBC Radio is delighted to announce the hosts for new programs slated toair this fall as part of the new radio schedule. While classical musicremains central to the schedule, there is now room for more excellentCanadian music in a mix of genres. These additions will complete thetransformation of CBC Radio 2 into a high quality, inclusive andcommercial-free Canadian adult music service. Monday to Friday from 6 to 10 a.m., Tom Allen will host CBC Radio 2’snew morning show, which will serve as the gateway to the new Radio 2schedule and will feature a wide range of music. At 10 a.m.,mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah will take the helm of the network’s newdaytime classical show, airing until 3 p.m. Then at 3 p.m., Rich Terfry,better known as Buck 65, will host Radio 2’s new drive-time songwritershow until 6 p.m. On the weekends, Molly Johnson will host the newmorning show airing Saturdays from 6 to 10 a.m. and Sundays from 6 to 8a.m. Completing the weekend schedule, Peter Togni will be ChoralConcert’s new host beginning in September, and Jurgen Gothe will hosta new weekly show on Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.Tom Allen needs no introduction to CBC Radio listeners. An accomplishedtrombonist, writer and broadcaster, he brings a wealth of experience andknowledge to every program he works on. Former host of such CBC Radioprograms as Weekender, Fresh Air and Music & Company, he returns to theweekday morning spot in a new show, one that will “feature a mix ofmusic that will set the tone for the day,” says Mark Steinmetz,director of Radio Music, “and represent the new direction that thenetwork is taking.”Julie Nesrallah is a versatile singer, at ease in all styles and wellversed in all forms of classical music. Chris Boyce, programmingdirector for CBC Radio, notes: “As soon as people listen to her, herappeal as a host, companion and broadcaster will be evident. Where shereally shines is her intimate knowledge of classical music, herdiscipline as a performer and certainly in the insight she will bring tomusic and musicians on the show.” Nesrallah is the recipient of manyprestigious awards and prizes, including the Canada Council for the ArtsEmerging Artist Award, the Brian Law Opera Award Grand Prize Winner, theCercle des Cents Associés Grand Prize Winner and the Journées de laMusique Française Grand Prize Winner. She is regularly cast in principalroles by leading opera companies across North America and abroad. Herroles include Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Suzuki (MadamaButterfly) and Maddalena (Rigoletto). A self-described “big music fan” with a vast record collection,innovative artist Rich Terfry calls upon the influences of folk, bluesand soul to create a unique and distinctive sound that’s difficult toclassify but easy to enjoy. A remarkable songwriter himself, hisexplorations and perspectives on other artists’ music are sure to beinsightful and entertaining. “No point of view, emotion, orinstrumentation is off-limits for me,” he says. “If I find an idea,memory, or emotion interesting enough to want to write about it, I justtry to turn that into music in as clear and honest a way aspossible.”Molly Johnson is one of Canada’s best-known singers, and herwide-ranging heartfelt music has long been a favourite of CBC Radiolisteners. She has rocked standing-room only audiences fromcoast-to-coast as a pop artist, and seduced the patrons of salons andlounges with her luscious interpretations of jazz and blues standards.She made history at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, becoming thefirst Canadian female vocalist in the festival's 17-year-history to sellout a show on the mainstage. She has regaled royalty during a privatecommand performance aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia before the Princeand late Princess of Wales, as well as having performed for NelsonMandela and Quincy Jones. In 2007, she was honoured with becoming anOfficer of the Order Of Canada. “Molly is a terrific host,” saysSteinmetz. “She’s an ideal choice for weekend mornings - thoughtfuland knowledgeable, eclectic, a friendly voice to help ease you into yourday.”Peter Togni is a composer, broadcaster, organist and conductor. As acomposer, Togni’s choral works are sung by choirs throughout Canada,the United States and Europe. His works have been released on XXIRecords, CBC Records, Hänssler Classics and Warner Classics U.K. In2006, Togni was nominated for a Juno award in the category ClassicalComposer of the Year for his work Illuminations, written for theSanctuary Trio and the Sanctuary String Orchestra. Togni will hostChoral Concert from Halifax.Since 1985, Jurgen Gothe has been entertaining listeners with a mélangeof music, off-the-cuff commentary and his unique frequent flights offancy. Gothe will continue to showcase his exceptional knowledge ofmusic in his new time slot on Sundays, and will put his own indeliblemark on different themes as they relate to music. Gothe will host hisnew program from Vancouver.With these additions, CBC Radio 2 offers listeners the strongest groupof knowledgeable and welcoming music hosts anywhere in the country - oraround the world! Stay tuned this fall for the launch of an exciting newCBC Radio
My response;
I AM EXTREMELY disappointed with the completely impersonal response I received from you concerning the e-mail I had sent you earlier.This shows, to me at least, that CBC Radio does NOT care about it's listener's & is going to do what it wants regardless.I was under the impression that Canada is a democracy & were there changes to be made, consult the listeners who pay for CBC through our tax dollars.At this point, I really don't know what to say. I really think that CBC has lost touch with it's listener's in the completely inhuman approach it takes in responses.If the morning program during the weekdays is anything like 'Weekender' is now, rest assured, you WILL have one less listener to worry about, not that you care.Thankfully, I have alternatives. With over 1100 Classical cd's ranging from the 16th-20th Century, I can convert them to mp3 discs & run them on random during my days off. I have hundreds of lp's crying to be transferred to cd. Sadly there are those who have no alternative.It is interesting that you are gearing to a supposed age group of 35-49. Guess what, I'm 50, so I feel discriminated against. Again, you have ignored people who cannot afford, or want computers by relegating Classical music to the internet.In slotting Classical music from 10AM-3PM, you are ensuring people will not be listening to Classical music on CBC Radio 2. You've done a great job of purging Classical music from the airwaves.A once great institution now wanes. A sad day for CanadiansBased on the response I got from your last e-mail, at this point, I DO NOT expect the courtesy of a human response, but will be totally shocked if I do.Philip Elliott
Forgive the structuring of my response as I copied it from my e-mail.
Needless to say I am NOT amuzed!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Oh God, it's Sunday on CBC Radio 2
Well, I keep plugging along here.
At least thankfully I know what I'm NOT listening to & have my alternative on.
Oh well, life goes on!!
At least thankfully I know what I'm NOT listening to & have my alternative on.
Oh well, life goes on!!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Weekend Blahs
One word!!!
BLEEGHHH!!
The only saving grace is Stuart MacLean's Vinyl Cafe.
How long before we loose that??
BLEEGHHH!!
The only saving grace is Stuart MacLean's Vinyl Cafe.
How long before we loose that??
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