I listen faithfully to Tom Allen’s Music and Company and am quite content with the present format. I’m not convinced the new one will be as interesting or enjoyable for people who prefer classical music. I have to wonder what is wrong in this country that there is so little room for this type of music, even on national radio.

I will miss Jurgen Gothe’s daily afternoon program. While it was less classically oriented, it was an interesting mix of musical styles and his easy-going personality made it relaxing to listen in.

These two programs represented to me the main reasons for turning on the radio. Why do the CBC powers-that-be have to meddle? Are they determined to alienate everyone with any interest in classical music? I will give the new format a try,but they may well be losing another listener.

Perhaps at some future date the new kewl rhyming-couplet-put-to-chords will qualify as classical music; the market only knows. I do know that my ears will bleed if I have to listen to even a small selection of earnest but el-lamo lyrics often offered up by cutting edge song-writers such as my brother-in-law. Even my 5-year old scoffs.

Meanwhile, I am able to hear all the hep-cat tunes I want ANYWHERE, including Ford truck and Depends TV ads.

Not having a expansive formal music education, I really appreciate the expertise of the dayside D-jays. With the unfortunate addition of Key of Charles, I’ve gone off the entire weekend listening habit. Not even Vinyl Cafe anymore, just Howard Dyck survives, then c-l-i-c-k.

I’m already tired of the oh-so-smooth attempts to integrate the new format. Please don’t make Tom Allen go on about Fiest.

Finally, The prominent role that Molly Johnson played in the nauseating paper ad campaign now makes sense…a job and pension!! Good for her, but really underhanded.

Run by gerbils,

As for the rest….I used to listen to at least 10-15 hours of CBC-FM per week up to the first overhaul where Music for a While and Symphony Hall departed. Now I listen 5-10 hours per week, most of that due to Music and Company.

When Tom Allen switches from playing classical to the same singer-songwriter stuff that’s infected Weekender, I’ll be listening 0-5 hours a week. I mean, do I have to hear crappy blues or someone’s attempt at a mystical-folk-haiku-guitar-strum at 7 AM? Hey, no, I don’t! I can turn the radio off! Yay!

By the way, Jowi Taylor’s Nightstream is the worst “classical” program I’ve ever heard. It’s worse than Moses Znaimer’s station. Apparently Jowi takes fifty CDs that contain only sure-hit classic “pieces” under 3’30″, and puts the CD player on RANDOM.

What the CBC brass seems to miss is that broadcasters such as Mr. Dyck are knowledgable, enthusiastic, know more than the listeners, and are eager to pass their knowledge on to their listeners. Bob Kerr was another broadcaster like this.

Or maybe they don’t miss this, because all these good broadcasters are being turfed.

As for the promos, read by presenters for other programs – tacky and completely unnecessary; Radio2 listeners know what’s on and when.

People who want to hear the kind of stuff you are bringing on now can find it elsewhere. We who loved our CBC the way it used to be don’t have an acceptable alternative. There is the problem, you see.

If I want popular classics, I listen to the Toronto alternative.

CBC Radio 2 used to be a real cultured window on the Arts in this country especially Classical.

I gained my appreciation of Classical music through the likes of Margaret Pachu & Bob Kerr

The lack of Classical music which is obscure & interesting will be sorely missed.

While nice to have Tom Allen in the morning, no Classical weill be a real dead zone

Any thought to bringing back late evening jazz instead of the current experimental “offerings” ?

At low times it seems those who’re making the power decisions know the least about music.

I’m glad that this blog is less censored than the CBC Radio 2 blog!