CBC Radio has announced two new music shows for CBC Radio Two.
Debuting May 31, from 5 to 6 p.m., is a new show from Calgary called In Tune. Hosted by classically trained musician Katherine Duncan, the program will focus on trends in classical music. Currently, Duncan is the Calgary host of Canada Live, and before that hosted Symphony Hall for 10 years.
Tom Power, a newcomer to CBC, will host Deep Roots. Based in Newfoundland, Power will offer listeners music in the roots/folk genres with a special emphasis on Canadian musicians. Deep Roots replaces I Hear Music in the 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. timeslot.Robert Harris, who had hosted I Hear Music since September 2000, will now produce documentaries for Radio 2. “Inside the Music is the likely spot for Robert’s new work,” explained CBC Radio’s director of programming, Chris Boyce. “But given his enormous talent, we have no doubt that Robert will be heard throughout the Radio 2 schedule.”
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Comments below | See also: CBC Radio 2, Changes to CBC Radio Two, Deep Roots, In Tune |
| Email this | Posted at 11:39 am (16 May 2008) |
Hello CBC,
I couldn’t believe it just now when Robert Harris said next week is his last broadcast of I Hear Music. In my opinion this is easily the best show on CBC and the best show about music I’ve ever listened to, a genuine Saturday morning treat. It’s refreshing to hear Robert talk enthusiastically about every kind of music based on his belief (supported by his incredible musical knowledge) that every genre has its own wonderful performers and composers worth listening to.
Robert has all the requisites for being a musical authority and superb radio man: utterly eccecltic musical tastes, broad-mindededness, intelligence and, of course, his being well-versed (pun-intended) in all musical genres. He is a gentle teacher (with a speaking style reminiscent of Mr. Rogers) and a passion for music that flies in the face of the hitherto elitist approach to music associated with the hitherto almost exclusive classical bent of Radio Two. Although things are changing, aren’t they?!
In all the years I’ve listened to CBC (AM & FM), I never understood CBC-2’s bias in favour of the almost exclusive featuring of classical music appealing primarily to an older, more educated audience rather than playing to Canadians of all musical tastes and ages. In Canada, there are so many talented musicians — young and old, in all genres –who deserve ‘national’ coverage and exposure by our national radio station. I am so pleased that the powers-that-be at CBC have realized they should be catering to ALL Canadians, whatever their musical tastes. I am one of your loyal listeners who, in spite of my sixty years, is thrilled to see you branching out in the same manner that Robert Harris does weekly.
My loyalty to CBC up to now has been limited but perhaps that will change. I must admit that, after listening to Tom Allen in the early morning (a REAL person with charm and opinions along with his musical passion and knowledge and a joy to wake up to) and also to Peter Tonye on Saturdays, I usually shift the dial at 9:00am to my local American NPR station for jazz and only go back to CBC mid-afternoon when Jurgen Gothe’s show offers up more musically diversified listening.
One last plug for Robert Harris. His program on modern divas (a few years ago), taught me to enjoy and appreciate Celine Dion in a way I never had before, as did his Doris Day show. He took me beyond both artists’ ‘commercial’ successes to reveal the true essence and talents of each of these wonderful singers. Quite an accomplishment by a radio announcer, I’d say. Don’t lose Robert Harris! I look forward to hearing his musical documentaries when they are broadcast.
Judith Rassenti
Robert Harris “I Hear Music” gone? Well what else to be expected: it was too intelligent for the dumbing new CBC Radio 2… Think: the guy could jump from Ravel to Pink Floyd to Al Clausen… Sure he’ll be allowed to contribute. So out of 1:30 Sound Advice and 1 hour of Robert Harris, we end up with 1 hour of material… for now.
As for the constant reference to Canada, Canadian, “Canada live”, next Canada Noon, Canada Tomorrow, Canada Today, Canada Yesterday, You and Canada, Canada and the World… the inferiority complex is alive and cultivated.
Gould must be spinning in his grave!
I am saddened to hear that “I Hear Music” is leaving the air. I will miss Mr. Harris’ great programming. Since I retired 9 years ago and found this program, it became the high point of the weekend.
It seems to me that CBC2 has left me behind with a number of changes in the broadcasting of music. I will begin to create my own listening patterns from the internet. I will always treasure “I Hear Music” and the insights.
So, the CBC will be playing classical music from 5 PM to 6 PM every day. And from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Whereas, they used to play classical music from 4 AM to 3 PM, and then 6:30 PM to 10 PM every weekday. (and quite a lot from 3 to 6!)
Trends as in plural? There only is one trend in classical music…towards irrelevance.
Even the new shows strange name ‘In Tune’ reeks of apathy.
Trends in classical music? There only is one trend — Nothingness. The name ‘In Tune’ is especially funny. ‘In Tune’ on my expensive FM Tuner which literally has no classical music to *Tune* into.
I am not happy about the program changes. I Hear Music is one of the last shows I still listen to prior to the previous reformat. Instead of keeping the Radio On (I still miss David Wisdom), I have turned my radio off. I still want After Hours, Brave New Waves, Two New Hours, and the Radio 3 content back on the air. I know radio 3 is on satellite, but the programming is repetitive and lacks the previous production values. I can’t stand The Signal why should I be excited about the new programs?
Inconsistent and annoying. There is no other way to describe the new plans for Radio 2. A new show at 5.OO PM until 6.00 PM adds to the inconsistency. It seems that we are to be ;given classical music from 10.00 AM until 3.OO PM. That’s nice;except that many folk will not be around to listen then. Those that just may, will have had no incentive to do so because we are going to be fed junk music in the early morning time slot. Then, after 3.00 P>M. I suppose we will get more junk music for two hours and then we are expected to tune in again at 5.OO PM for an hour before the so-called jazz unit begins at six. What audience are you trying to please ? I am at a complete loss to understand the logic. We want the old Radio 2 format back. All of us! You are pleasing nobody at the moment. Get somebody to run radio 2 who has good taste and an intelligent attitude to the art of classical music broadcasting!
Hey, look, CBC officials. Whatever you do to the programming in the fall, please, please, PLEASE get rid of all those annoying promos that come in the middle of every show. They are so annoying, and I really don’t want to hear them, and I doubt anyone else does either.
CBC radio prides itself on having no commercials, yet they do have those annoying commercials within shows.
CBC is cutting out quality classical music (Tom Allen and Jurgen of Discdrive), presumably because the numbers don’t support such program. That is a huge mistake. The numbers may not be as great as other programming, but what must factored in is the fact that for the people who listen to that programming, it is VERY important.
If you were to factor in the “importance” factor to the numbers, you would see that you are cutting out an important part of your audience. I truly do not think that life will be the same without these programs for the dedicated listeners.
A case in point is “Say it with Music”, which was on on Sunday afternoons. The listeners were quite passionate about “their” program. Since it was cut out 4-5 years ago, a variety of programs have been in that slot, none with any success.
It is obvious that you have never heard the expression, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”