BBC proposes to move orchestra to Nottingham
OrchestrasA new proposal has been aired in talks between the BBC and the Musicians Union on reducing the broadcaster’s classical headcount and finding other sources to finance its orchestras.
Nottingham is one possibility.
The MU’s Naomi Pohl thinks the talks are stalled.
An update on @BBCSingers @BBCPhilharmonic @BBCCO & @BBCSO. We had a positive meeting with the BBC yesterday. Great to meet @classicjacko in his new role and I feel progress is being made. That said… 👇
— Naomi Pohl (@NaomiPohl) May 17, 2023
We aren’t out of the woods yet! The BBC Performing Groups are run on a tight budget so there aren’t easy savings to be found. We are discussing income generation & how the BBC can get maximum value from recordings of the groups for example.
— Naomi Pohl (@NaomiPohl) May 17, 2023
Our members in the English BBC Performing Groups remain concerned & it is crucial we ensure there are concrete plans for them which will avoid job cuts or further calls for savings. We need this soon because the situation is deeply stressful & unsettling for them.
— Naomi Pohl (@NaomiPohl) May 17, 2023
I honestly don’t know why the BBC doesn’t sweat its orchestral assets a lot more than it does: the man in the UK street would be forgiven for not knowing that the orchestras exist: they’re rarely given television air time, apart from during the Proms, and there seems to be little representation on the iPlayer or on YouTube – pirate uploads provide by far the biggest content from BBC orchestras. Compare the British output with, for example WDR or the Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra (the Hesse radio orchestra).
Not to mention using them for soundtracks to its TV output, which doesn’t seem to happen much.
This isn’t a new idea, BBC Concert Orchestra going to Nottingham has been rumoured for a while. I personally think it would be great, so long as it doesn’t disrupt the already excellent classical season at the Royal Concert Hall by it meaning fewer visits from the many excellent visiting orchestras they have at the mo.
Nottingham has a vibrant classical scene but there’s still room for it to grow and the orchestra could visit Leicester and Derby easily from there too, which would cover a significant part of the population.
Living in Nottingham as I do, we have heard very strong rumours that the BBC Concert Orchestra is to be moved here…
If the BBC want to save money why not close down one of their radio stations blasting out consumer capitalist rock/pop. Or is that “too radical man “. Dumbing down obviously rules !!!!
This is because rock/pop radio stations are making money and attract audience I suppose? Let’s all learn classical music is a small and even dying breed.