La Scena Musicale

Sunday, February 17, 2008

CBC Responds to Montreal Gazette Article

Update: In a letter to the Montreal Gazette, Jeff Keay of CBC Media Relations, claims that Arthur Kaptainis's report (see previous blog post) on the downscaling of CBC Records was erroneous as the CBC is planning to introduce "new channels like podcasts and audio streaming, which are growing fast," which Espace Musique started to offer last fall.
For example, beginning next month we will be recording all nine Beethoven symphonies with Bramwell Tovey and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

We remain committed to classical music on Radio 2. However, at the same time, we are building a schedule that reflects the incredible range of musical genres created by and for Canadians throughout the country. No one else does this. We see it as a fundamental part of our mandate.

In this context, it is most regrettable to see Robert Sunter's comment characterizing CBC as being "in a downward spiral." In fact, CBC Radio as a whole is enjoying the best ratings in its history.

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posted by Wah Keung Chan at 7:33 PM

1 Comments:

  • I'm not convinced. Let's see, they've cancelled the in-progress Messiaen series with Kent Nagano and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. And they've substituted -- let me see if I have this right -- Bramwell Tovey conducting the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in a much-needed Beethoven symphony cycle. World-class artists performing cutting-edge repertoire ... NOT!

    This is not only a downward spiral for CBC Records, it's a downward spiral within a porcelain receptacle. What's next? "Peter and the Wolf" performed by the Yellowknife Youth Orchestra? Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" played on spoons? Those would best seem to fit the sensibilities of the management at CBC Records.

    If you've fallen on hard times and you have to go the warhorse route for a quick cash infusion, fine, but then be honest and admit it instead of trying to persuade anybody that it's some sort of "improvement."

    By Blogger Matthew B. Tepper, At February 18, 2008 10:46 AM  

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