Do you know why there doesn't seem to have been a new Composer-in-Association since Julian Anderson's stint finished in spring 2005? Or have I missed some news?

I had always thought the CBSO had a reputation for innovative programming. Not on the basis of this lineup, it seems.

Care to expand on that, Richard? Do you mean repertoire generally, or the way the repertoire is grouped?

best,
Tommy

I mean (excuse me if I've miscounted somewhere, but I think my approximation makes things clear enough):

There are 65 composers mentioned by name.
Of these, 43 were born in the 19th century.
By far the most-performed composer is Tchaikovsky, followed by Beethoven, Dvorak, Elgar, Mozart and Rachmaninov.
5 of the composers are alive today.
Of the works by these five, ONE seems to have been written for this season (the piece by Simon Holt).

In other words: the orchestral repertoire isn't being renewed, and audiences are being served up pretty much the same fare as they can hear anywhere else, in any other season, on Radio 3 or Classic FM or on CD or download. This picture could be multiplied throughout the country, with the possible exception of the BBCSSO under Ilan Volkov, and indeed most other countries too. It looks to me as if orchestras are busy turning themselves into museums, as time goes by and the repertoire remains the same or gets even smaller.

I won't go on about this here, because there's already been a discussion around this general subject:

http://r3ok.myforum365.com/index.php?topic=952.0

Well, I think it looks fairly interesting (and makes me sorry that Birmingham isn't a little closer). I'm green with envy that Oramo is giving a Sibelius series as he is one of my favourite conducts of the composer, the more so after the slightly mixed BBC Scottish one up here last year. I have fond memories of a performance he gave of the 7th a few years back, and his cycle on Erato is (in my view) very fine.

bws

Tommy, I don't suppose there's any chance the Sibelius will be broadcast on Radio 3?

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your comments on the new season. I was able to put some of your questions/points to Stephen Maddock in the CBSO podcast and you can now hear it at the site - www.cbso.co.uk/podcasts. There's a chance for you to win tickets to Sakari Oramo's performances of his Sibelius cycle in September at Symphony Hall. It also features Stephen Johnson talking in depth about Sibelius, a real highlight.
Hope you enjoy the podcast.

So I guess we're all holding our breath for the Proms - I can't believe it's time for another Proms season! I've been absent from the R3/BBC4 broadcasts for a couple of years but pleased to say that I am involved, albeit slightly, this year. I've written the script for Richard E Grant for the Great British Film Music Prom (Prom 2 on Saturday and on BBC2 a few weeks later). That's been a lot of fun. And I'll certainly be promming as much as I can. I've been going to the proms since I was a very young child, often queuing up with my mum (we remember with great affection Gurrelieder with the National Youth Orchestra and Jesse Norman, Boulez conducting - we were right at the front, directly under big Jesse's nostrils!).

To all of you watching, taking part, or whatever - have a great season!

bws,
Tommy