From the official news release (so watch your step around the marketingspeak):
Renowned CBC Radio jazz host Katie Malloch serves up an intoxicating musical cocktail with TONIC, Monday to Friday, 6 to 8 p.m., from Montreal. Listeners can unwind with a mix of warm and soulful jazz, stirred with a blend of soul, Latin and world-influenced music. Celebrated Canadian jazz singer Tim Tamashiro takes over as host of TONIC on the weekends from Calgary.
CBC Radio’s new flagship performance show, CANADA LIVE, gives listeners a free ticket to concert halls, music clubs and festivals across the country. Toronto-based weekday host Matt Galloway and Montreal-based weekend host Patti Schmidt accompany audiences to live performances, ranging from jazz, blues, pop and world, to roots and classical. Each night, from 8 to 10 p.m., CANADA LIVE showcases Canada’s top musical talent, and features the vibrancy and colour of Canada’s regional music scenes.
Laurie Brown, one of Canada’s most passionate music journalist pioneers, makes her radio hosting debut, showcasing contemporary music on THE SIGNAL, from Monday to Thursday in the 10 p.m. to 1a.m. time slot. Brown’s intimate late-night listening sessions take Canadians to a world where genres have no boundaries and unpredictability is the norm. From “new” classical to electronica, world to improvised, Laurie returns to her roots as a contemporary music trendsetter, introducing her audience to adventurous sounds from Canada and around the globe. Winnipeg-based composer Pat Carrabré takes over THE SIGNAL from Friday to Sunday, expanding the contemporary music boundaries even farther.
Finally, Danielle Charboneau helms CBC Radio 2’s overnight show from Montreal, between 1 and 6 a.m. Beginning where THE SIGNAL leaves off, NIGHTSTREAM takes listeners through the night with a mix of music genres, into the classical music programming of the early morning.
Although live radio versions of live shows are sometimes hit or miss, I am looking forward to–excited about–all these new cbc shows, including canada live.
Do these shows have webpages yet?
And, does anyone know when the new programing takes effect?
It all starts on the 19th, right?
I’ve come to terms with the changes, so I’m kinda looking forward to the new shows. Admittedly, the fact that Joshua Carpati (did I get that right?) will no longer be hosting a music show makes me anticipate the The Signal and Nightstream that much more. His back-handed editorial comments about the tunes he plays are as grating as fingernails on a chalkboard.
I’m just glad Ms. Schmidt is still around.
Come on. Josh is charming and, I find, entertaining. I enjoy both his knowledgeable commentary and his opinionated commentary.
Is there a weekend host for Nightstream, or is Danielle Charbonneau hosting all seven days?
re: Danielle Charbonneau
I can’t express how disappointed I am to learn that Danielle Charbonneau’s program Music For A While is being taken off the air. It was a sublime 90 minutes of rarely heard music - sometimes vibrant and frequently soothing and contemplative but always delivered in a serene and intelligent manner. As for the new jazz format program replacing Music For A While: in the Toronto market we already have a dedicated jazz station - Jazz FM 91.1 (headed up by ex-CBC Radio 2’s Ross Porter) and another “smooth jazz format” station originating somewhere in the greater Toronto area. Do we really need more jazz programming? And as a working ‘baby boomer’ there is zero likelihood I will stay up late to listen to Danielle’s new program - my career cannot afford that I turn into a night owl. I had always considered Radio 2 as the source for classical music. I will follow up on the suggestion made by an earlier blogger and start tuning in evenings to WNED -FM 94.5 (the Western NY classical music station that broadcasts from Buffalo).
“Come on. Josh is charming and, I find, entertaining. I enjoy both his knowledgeable commentary and his opinionated commentary.”
We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one, man.
I will not be tuning into the CBC after 1800hrs. Music for a While and After Hours are staples in my daily listening and they will both be missed. Replacing these quality hosts and programming with the likes of Matt Galloway (the reason I stopped listening to CBC 1 during my drive home not to mention the inane Promo Girl) will definitely force my hand. I hope that Danielle Charbonneau finds a new home on a station that truly appreciates her contributions. It’s obvious that the CBC does not.
If it wasn’t for Tom Allen, Shelley Solmes and Eric Friesen, I would have abandoned CBC 2 all together. The changes in the Arts Report on Music and Company is another disappointment. The intelligent and witty banter during those couple minutes was enlightening and entertaining. Gone!
Even though I wish to support Canadian Public Radio, I am reluctantly forced to seek out NPR stations that do what the CBC is unwilling to do. I will be tuning into WNED on the radio and WXXI on the web.
I feel for the fans of BNW as they, too, have been pushed around by the apparently out of touch programmers.
I agree entirely with Toby from Toronto, eliminating Danielle’s show is a shame. And 10 hours of Katie Malloch is more than I can face.
As I listen to the farewell edition of After Hours, I must say that I am saddened by the fact that excellent shows like The Arts Report and After Hours will no longer be a part of my days and evenings. Radio is about both music and personality, and evening jazz on cbc 2 will lose a good part of its charm without Andy Shepard. While I understand that all things must change at some point, the revamping of radio 2 programming seems forced and abrupt. The hosts and program directors deserved more respect. I am hoping dearly that the daytime programs do not get changed. Wonderful shows like Jurgen Goethe’s DiscDrive and Tom Allen’s Music and Company are going strong and connecting well with young professionals in their 30s and 40s such as myself, and there is no reason to change them.
Count me as another one who is already in withdrawal over the cancelling of Music For A While. Danielle’s approach was calming and truly professional. Her ability to select beautiful music and themes puts her talents at the top of her profession. We Radio 2 listeners are intensely loyal to the best parts of this service - you become part of our family. I don’t resist change but please be gentle! We listen because you give us what we want.
The whole idea of changing Radio 2 to attract ‘a younger demographic’ grates on me. I believe the CBC is to be a national service offering music and styles not available elsewhere. Radio 2 should be concerned with the musical (and cultural) education of it’s listeners. Classical music is a part of that - but it seems that classics are being pushed into a corner on Radio 2 while we pursue the current desirable demographic. I know classics are available during the day, but I’m at home from 6 pm on and that’s when I want to listen to them.
Some geographical areas have other choices in classical music programming, most do not. I can tell you that London, Ontario has some of the most banal commercial radio programming in the country. There are people here running to buy satellite radio just to find some diversity.
I do like jazz and I’m sure Katy’s show will be well done but why are we moving Radio 2 away from classical music to change larger audience numbers? Isn’t Radio 2 here to offer what I can’t find elsewhere? Where else can I hear good classical music programming except on Radio 2?
Maybe we need an all-classical Radio 4. Classical music needs to have a home somewhere on a national service.
I almost cried. RIP Brave New Waves.
At least Patti’s still on the air though–thing’s could always be worse. As if that helps.
Re: Joshua–I hated him at first, but really got to love his selections and his commentary. What’s he doing now?
Toby from Toronto: You can still listen to Danielle Charbonneau. Do what I did for BNW. Get an $30 MD player on ebay and a cheap Radioshack cable. You’ll get five hours of programming at radio quality and can listen to it later.
Bryan: Gak - ah, Radio 4. I’m really not supposed to say anything yet, but you might get your wish.
After Hours lost me (most of the time) when Ross Porter left, but I still like jazz programming as a late night thing.
I’m glad they didn’t mess with Thom Allen.
Danielle Charbonneau’s program Music For A While is a loss. She is a lovely radio presence, who is intelligent and perhaps the only host other than Peter Tiefenbach (who is only an occasional guest for absent hosts now - whatever happened to his excellent show?) that can correctly, and in her case, beautifully, pronounce things in French, Italian and German!
Now why couldn’t they swap Eric Friesen into the overnight spot and give Danielle the afternoon!?!
Jurgen Goethe’s DiscDrive and Peter Togni’s Weekender are too eclectic and long overdue to be refreshed and revamped and yet….
As for the new proramming, I don’t want to criticize what I have not yet heard.
An all-classical Radio 4 on the airwaves and not only internet, now that would be great!!!
I probably should delete these references to Radio 4… I don’t know if word is actually getting out or people are just speculating.
As with many others, I am upset that the best (Danielle Charboneau) show is being shunted to a god-awful time. Where do the powers-that-be get such idiocity!?
I’m going to try one or two of the suggestions others have kindly shared with us.
Thanks.
Danielle-THANKS for the many, many classy and classical hours you’ve given us.
You will be missed.
huh, thanks for cancelling Brave New Waves and not even having the guts to announce it properly.
Todd: My comments yesterday on an all-classical Radio 4 were a suggestion to what I see as a problem to be solved - no inside information that I know of.
I think a Radio 4 (and points beyond) is a good idea. The CBC does broadcasting very well - we just need more choice in this narrow-casted age we live in.
Who better to do it than CBC?
Am I on to something??
You may indeed be onto something. I don’t think they’re announcing anything for another couple of weeks though.
I am so sorry that Music For A While has been pulled. It was an evening tradition in our house to listen to Danielle Charbonneau while eating dinner. Her choice of music and elegant demeanor were the perfect antidote to the boring commercial classical radio we are stuck with here in the US. There are already some very good jazz shows out there, but Music For A While was the gold standard for imaginative, well-presented classical programming. I always thought the CBC was a more creative and interesting alternative to NPR, but maybe not anymore. Too bad.
I’m so sad, disappointed and disgusted! with the programming changes. Where are our Canadian orchestras and Canadian concert artists? Where is Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Tchaikowsky, Mendelsohn, etc, etc, etc ??! Please, PLEASE, PLEASE give us some evening real classical music by Canadian orchestras and artists. Maybe compromise with 4 evenings (6:30 - 10:00) of classical and 3 of this other ‘what-ever-it-is’.
The butchers of CBC Radilo are at it again showing complete and absolute contempt for their hundreds of thousands of faithful Radio 2 listeners. In an attenpt to attract listeners between the ages of 35 and 48 (!), the CBC 2 hierarchy have introduced 7 hours of music that even they, I feel sure, could not tolerate for more than the moment to turn off the switch. The programmes these morons have dumped were excellent - the sublime Danielle Charbonneau at dinner time, the often excellent ” In Performance” and the delightful Andy Shepherd with ” After Hours” a top-flight jazz programme running for 14 years. You must be out of your minds, CBC brass. After almost destroying your network 2 years ago during the artists’ strike, you strike again allowing our hateful prime minister little left to destroy of a radio network that was once ranked with the BBC for broadcasting excellence. Such ignorant pandering and incompetence can never be forgiven. It would be hard to stoop lower than this but I am sure you will find a way. Off with their heads thousands of your ex-listeners must be saying today.
I am 48 years old and have been an avid Radio Two listener ever since I lived in Squamish and it was either CBC or Mountain FM, which is the equivalent of today’s fast food equivalent “Easy Listening” stations (think: Rod Stewart, James Blunt and Cher). I am extremely disappointed with the new programming and cannot help but think derogatory thoughts about whatever minds initiated these changes.
First of all, I’m with many other posters: How can anyone think it will benefit the average radio listener by taking Radio’s best voice and sticking her in at a timeslot when the only people listening to her will be the shelf-stockers at Wal-Mart? Danielle Charbonneau’s program was a deep and intelligent balm to an often frantic day. I will miss her dearly.
Secondly, I can’t think of how many times my wife and I would sit around with a glass of wine listening to Andy Sheppard’s ‘After Hours.’ After Hours has been a staple in our household ever since I could remember. Although Ross Porter’s shoes were big ones to fill, Andy Sheppard did a terrific job and his programming choices and lucid introductions made this one of the finest mellow jazz programs I’ve ever heard. Nothing against Katie Malloch–I still remember the days when she used to host After Hours–but, in my opinion, her selections are too acerbic for my ears.
Thirdly, although I can tolerate more of a condensed newscast, this Ipod mentality is really starting to get to me. I’m sorry, but my brain can handle more than three minutes of what’s happening around me. Even worse, as I noticed today, they’ve not only eliminated the hockey scores–can’t help being Canadian–but they’ve stopped giving the weather reports. The result: If I want to find out whether or not it’s going to stop raining outside, I’ve not got to flipping around with my radio to tune into another station to get 10 seconds of a weather update. I have to ask, what kind of mentality would implement changes that would force their listeners to switch stations? CBC Radio Two used to be the only radio station all six of our radios were tuned to, around the clock.
Fourthly, I truly enjoy Tom Allen in the mornings and felt that the rapport between him and Joel Cummings always brought a nice ray of light into the morning. Let the plebes have their Larry and Willy. We’ve got Tom and Joel, with a little introduction to what’s happening with the arts in the world. Alas, no more Arts Report and no more Joel Cummings.
So where does that leave me? As a strong CBC supporter (CBC is even my home web-page) and avid Radio Two listener (I’m really not interested in TV land), I’m now going to need to find an alternative station in the morning to see if I can bike or drive to work. And after dinner time, well, it’s a good time to turn to my CD collection.
In other words, one less listener. What a shame.
I am indifferent to the changes really, most seem to be good shows (with the exception of jazz at 6pm) I will miss ‘Music for Awhile’ more than any other show. I’m still not over the shock of it being gone. Sad, very sad. Danielle Charbonneau on at 1am, a non-classical program? I feel sick to my stomach. On a happier note, the Canadian music show at 8pm seems great.
I, too. am joining those who lament the loss of Danielle Charbonneau and Music for A While. Her programme was a delight in every way, and it is still hard to believe that she has been intentionally removed from prime time CBC Radio. If there is anyone who has the talent and ability to encourage and develop classical music interest in others;it is Danielle. Sending her to the equivalent of purgatory (1.am to 6.am.) is just wrong headed.
I always believed that the mandate of our public broadcaster was to challenge to educate, and to provide music and ideas not offered elsewhere. Why, then, is there a continual dumbing down of Radio Two?
As a past loyal supporter of Radio Two, I am also disappointed with the removal of Andy Sheppard and Angela Ratuski, both really talented hosts. And, I remain absolutely astonished, at the decision to eliminate the morning and evening complete news broadcasts. One can only surmise that, by this act, the oracles at CBC have little respect for the intelligence of not only seasoned Radio Two listeners, but also those they say they hope “to grow”.
I too am sickened by the treacle that makes up the new radio two programming. Goodbye, CBC.
I am so very disappointed and shocked that CBC has chosen to shove “Music for Awhile” to an impossible time of the night . Danielle Charbonneau was a program my late husband and I listened to every day while having dinner. I have continued to do so. Such special classical music that is seldom heard anywhere else, introduced in her gentle, beautiful voice. A soothing end to the day. A ritual that will be sorely missed.
As for the other changes - where else can you find the light hearted banter at program changes, the weather and the news. Now I have to change to Radio 1, and then back to Radio 2, although with what is being offered now, I will most likely turn off the radio or follow the suggestion of one of your other disappointed listeners and switch to FM 94.5 Buffalo.
How do you come to make these kind of decisions ? A watering down of all that is worthwhile listening to and having the opportuinity to learn more about classical music, composers, conductors and musicians. Pity.
How will we bring along new listeners to classical music, more concert goers, more supporters of our cash strapped orchestras, if they do not have the opportunity to hear such music on the radio.
I am one of the many who is terribly upset that you have taken Danielle Charbonneau away and hidden her in the middle of the night. What is CBC for anyway? Please get her back, we can listen to jazz later, we NEED Danielle Charbonneau. I always had the feeling that she respected her audience, playing interesting, sometimes unknown, beautiful music. She chose music that we would otherwise not hear, we learned from her, we were entertained and we will miss her. PLEASE don’t go the way of Radio-Canada Espace Musique, we don’t need dumbing down, we need the CBC we used to have.
My whole classical education has come through the CBC, for years only through evening programs. What chance will others have, now that classical programs are only earlier in the day and are so eclectic that I turn the radio off and on hoping for classical music? The best program of the day is from 6 to 9 am, hardly the time to stop everything to enjoy Tom Allen’s delightful program.
Why dismiss a faithful listening audience?
Canada now has more world-class artists than ever and now less chance to enjoy them. What a disappointment this re-programing is to so many long-time faithful listeners! Also, not everyone has a computer to listen to broadcasts at will.
Hey Tod,
What are the odds that the executives in charge of programming are actually reading this? There is a clear and strong message coming through here.
Perhaps there is somewhere else we should be writing as well?
Baritono - they do read the blog pretty regularly. I’d hope they’d also weigh in here in the comments, but perhaps they’re shy.
I, also, wonder about whether or not the “powers that be” actually read our comments.
I do know that the comments go directly to Mlle. Charbonneau and she reads them.
I doubt she would pass the comments along to her boss(es).
We can hope for the best. If only one good emanates from this is, it will show Mlle. Charbonneau she has loyal and appreciative “fans.”
I, too, like many posters here am very disappointed with the recent changes to Radio 2. And my number one complaint is, like so many others, against the relegating of Danielle Charbonneau to the wee hours of the night. What an ill-advised decision that was! Her mellifluous voice and the rich, soothing music of the program, along with a glass of wine, were often the antidote to my hectic day.
I am further disappointed by the loss of Joe Cummings and the Arts Report, and the local arts events information you use to provide. I have always admired CBC for its support of Canadian art & culture. What a great service you provided to local arts groups that often have limited publicity budgets. Such a shame to cut such a valuable service.
And the news! Where’s the news? I admire CBC for the excellent news reporting they do. But now, in order to hear World Report, I have to switch to Radio 1 and a couple times this week, I haven’t switched back to Radio 2.
This lack of news, arts information, and even local weather, give Radio 2 a kind of bare-bones feel, a skeletal shell of its former self.
I hope those in charge come to their senses, realize the mistakes they’ve made and restore Radio 2 to what so many listeners have so long enjoyed and admired.
re Danielle Charbonneau (and Music for Awhile supporters - Baritono, Tod, highness, Leora, Dorothy.Sunshine Coast, Jeannette Pyrch, Ryan, Roland and the many others who have taken time to ‘blog’ their displeasure at the loss of 90 minutes of unique early evening classical music on Radio 2):
I regret not having downloaded any of Ms Charbonneau’s programs months ago when I learned that it was the end of Music for Awhile.
A proposal to CBC execs:
Please establish an ‘archival music service’ to make available Ms Charbonneau’s many years of Music for Awhile programs (access via internet at no charge to we, the taxpayers).
In the meantime I will be writing to Ms Oda and the CRTC to ask why my tax money was wasted by the CBC on new radio programming. Our country has significantly more important issues at which to direct taxpayer money.
I still lament the end of Brave New Waves and the Saturday night simulcast of Radio 3, but this comment is more on the absolute annoyance of inserting Radio 2 idents and show promos in the middle of programming. What happened to putting these before and after the news, where it used to be? The idents between songs in particular are what put me off from commercial radio in the first place. What’s next: inserting “Disc Drive” promos in the middle of a live performance of the Met on Saturday Opera?
And bring back “World Report” in the morning. The less I hear of Tom Allen, the better.
I have just returned from working in India,
looking forward enormously to getting back to R2 on CBC.
What a disaster was waiting!
Andy Sheppard, Danielle Charbonneau - my
favourites, all gone.
Along with the news that reset my clocks throughout the day.
To be replaced by 10 hours of Katie Malloch every week?
Aargh. Even now I can hardly believe it,
it’s a kind of personal Katrina. You have lost a happy listener,
probably forever.
I can only echo and amplify the comments made by others at the loss of Danielle and Andy…a piece of CBC’s soul has been lost with the changes made that essentially eliminate their presence during CBC’s awake hour for many.
The demongraphics that led to these changes I am sure are 100% accurate….and I am just as sure 100% midguided, exchanging short term gain (maybe) for the quality long term sustainable listener that is CBC.
I am heartbroken that “Music for Awhile” has been moved. It was a lovely way to end a day and start an evening with Danielle Charbonneau. If it works why go and break it CBC ??? why??
It appears that maybe ’some one’ in CBC has too much power and is trippin’.
Get your priorities straight. Who exactly are you playing the music for??
I cannot agree more with David Price. CBC has made a very swift decision… that cares nothing for many its listeners.
I am shattered that Andy Shepherd’s Afterhours as well as Music For A While have been shaken. I will miss the gracious voice of Andy Shepherd and his wonderful jazz insight greatly.
In addtion, “Everwhere music takes you” is a mediocre slogan. For it to be repeated endlessly is abhorrent.
I grew up listening to Radio 2. My daughters, now aged 14 and 18, have also grown up listening to Radio 2, and a large part of their musical education was gleaned from the CBC airwaves. Mine as well!
For the last 48 years, there have been changes, but all have been progressive until last week. Some poorly informed decision-maker at the CBC with no vision converted the best “free university” in the country into a parking lot overnight. We must state clearly to the CBC Board why a far-reaching error has been made, and restore 1. Two New Hours on Sunday nights, a unique jewel in North America. 2. Restore Music for A While in the 6-8pm time slot. 3. Put Joe Cummings a.k.a The Arts Report back into Tom Allen’s show. 4. Give us back the NEWS. What are they at the CBC thinking about taking the news away from Radio Two listeners? One of the defining characteristics of CBC listeners/viewers in general is their connection to the world (not trying to “escape”) and that includes an interest in the “real” news. 5. Give us back Andrew Craig’s “In Performance”. The rest of the changes, I will be able to live with. If anyone out there (previously devoted and now disappointed Radio Two fans) wants to join me in drafting a strong protest to the CBC, please email me margaretlogan@rogers.com
In today’s multi-faceted western world, niche markets are what markets seem to be all about. CBC2 filled an incredible niche market. It was the only [non-cable] radio station in Vancouver area for me to listen to continuous classical music at most times of the day. I have tried listening to the new programs. The one I like the most is Tonic. However, I can listen to similar programs on other stations. The later programs also seem to duplicate music available on other radio stations, some that appeal to a very tiny niche market. It seems that changes were made to engage a much wider audience. If that occurs, then your goal will be accomplished. However, I feel, that instead, you may be trying to please too many listeners for short amounts of time, and in the process, please less people.
All in all, I am very sad to say, I do miss CBC2’s niche market of continuous classical [or almost continual]. Since I started listening over the years, I have listened longer and longer and gained much more appreciation of classical music. On average, I listen about 4+ hours daily. I miss listening to Danielle Charbonneau on my trips home from Vancouver in the evening. It was particularly relaxing listening to her exotic voice and the musical selections that made the drive home a pleasant experience. I now plan to listen more to the classical stations I can access on ITunes that I have connected into house speaker system.
I hope somehow that my input may have the CBC management reconsider the many changes that have occurred and change back to a much more classical content and keep the niche market you have developed over the years. Sadly, I now tune out of CBC2 after 12 noon.
I appreciate the space to have public input and for it to be available for all to see.
Sincerely,
Dave Clyne
bring back Danielle!! I too am turning off the radio mid-afternoon. Thank goodness for iPod.
I miss the Arts Report very much. Where else can one get that information? I find it inconvenient to switch to Radio 1 to hear the news all the time, especially when one listens to the radio at work. I feel as though I am getting out of touch by having Radio 2 on all the time, yet Radio 1 has too much talk to allow me to concentrate on my work.
But my main beef is the phrase; “Everywhere music takes you”. If I hear it a few more times I will be strongly tempted to change the station.