464 metres
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« on: 20:34:09, 02-04-2007 » |
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When I listened to Radio 3 in the 1970s, there were several announcers whom I heard a great deal, but whose names I never knew. I've been listening to some old tapes recently, and at the end of one came across a change-over between two such studio announcers after a prom concert. I've put a copy of the section here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/8waqct (1.7MB). From my (sketchy) records, the best date I can estimate is 10th August 1979 (after a performance of the Concerto for Orchestra by Bartok). If anyone can identify them, I'd be very grateful. |
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pim_derks
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« Reply #1 on: 20:48:07, 02-04-2007 » |
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Thank you very much for this fragment, 464 meters.
It makes very clear to me that the old, rather "stiff", way of presenting and the modern "chatting" way of presenting both can work when an announcer is capable of using one of these two methods. Unfortunately not every announcer is capable of it. In that case, I prefer the old method.
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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464 metres
Posts: 31
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« Reply #2 on: 21:02:25, 02-04-2007 » |
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Until only a few years ago, the two announcers would have sounded rather 'stiff' to me, but in comparison with what we are subjected to these days, I would gladly go back to that style tomorrow. Did you notice the silence as the announcers changed over, with not a word of explanation when the second one appeared? How civilised!
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pim_derks
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« Reply #3 on: 21:25:46, 02-04-2007 » |
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Until only a few years ago, the two announcers would have sounded rather 'stiff' to me, but in comparison with what we are subjected to these days, I would gladly go back to that style tomorrow. Did you notice the silence as the announcers changed over, with not a word of explanation when the second one appeared? How civilised!
Yes, the silence is wonderful! You really get the chance to contemplate on what you heard, and you have a moment in which you can prepare yourself for the next announcement. My goodness, August 1979: I was fourteen months old at that time and Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister since May. I now remember that I have a recording on tape of two short sketches by Harold Pinter (I believe from 1963), complete with announcements: "This is the BBC Third Programme". I will try to put them online sooner or later. I have to agree with you: the old way was the best one. |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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Chichivache
Posts: 128
The artiste formerly known as Gabrielle d’Estrées
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« Reply #4 on: 21:58:46, 02-04-2007 » |
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One of them Malcolm Ruthven?
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wotthehell toujours gai archy
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464 metres
Posts: 31
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« Reply #5 on: 22:28:24, 02-04-2007 » |
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One of them Malcolm Ruthven? I don't think so. I'll try to post a clip of one of his announcements sometime. I also know that neither of them is Cormac Rigby, Tony Scotland, Peter Barker, John Holmstrom, John Curle, or Tom Crowe. |
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roslynmuse
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« Reply #6 on: 22:34:11, 02-04-2007 » |
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Very familiar voices, but I can't put a name to them, sorry...
I love the reference to a concert on 'gramophone records'!
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pim_derks
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« Reply #7 on: 10:18:29, 03-04-2007 » |
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I love the reference to a concert on 'gramophone records'! Yes! They used to say that in the Netherlands too. The radio guide would say: "programma met grammofoonmuziek" ( "programme with grammophone music"). Lovely.  |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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Chichivache
Posts: 128
The artiste formerly known as Gabrielle d’Estrées
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« Reply #8 on: 10:35:09, 03-04-2007 » |
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I also know that neither of them is Cormac Rigby, Tony Scotland, Peter Barker, John Holmstrom, John Curle, or Tom Crowe.
Agreed. John Curle! I'd forgotten about him. How about Victor Hallam then? |
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wotthehell toujours gai archy
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richard barrett
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« Reply #9 on: 10:42:04, 03-04-2007 » |
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... and let's not forget the great Charles Fox.
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George Garnett
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« Reply #10 on: 23:08:45, 03-04-2007 » |
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Both voices are very familiar but I can't put a name to either, I'm afraid.
But you see the embarrassing thing is, for those of us of a certain age,.....that 1979 isn't the old days of posh accents and stilted delivery at all. That was the 1950s.
1979 is young and groovy and exciting after we had all been through the 1960s, changed the world, and left 'posh and stilted' (as Mr Beckham was known then) way, way behind us. It's very odd to hear that period described in ways that, to me, are a good twenty years out.
Just you wait, young people. It'll happen to you too. You may not believe it now but it will. ("Ah, the 2010s, that golden age of the old 'Radio 3' , as it was quaintly called, with giants like Sean Rafferty and Charles Hazlewood before it was all dumbed down in the rush for advertising....")
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« Last Edit: 23:14:48, 03-04-2007 by George Garnett »
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roslynmuse
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« Reply #11 on: 23:33:34, 03-04-2007 » |
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George, I had the same thoughts re Rafferty et al myself...
I was 14 in '79 but was a seasoned R3 listener nonetheless and so those voices seemed completely natural - more so then than they seem now, which is rather upsetting, and an indicator of what we have lost. (Thus spake the reactionary in me...) And being 14 doesn't seem long ago (the modern age, rather than ancient history) so it seems peculiar to me to see it described as "Vintage"! Or perhaps I'm just trying to deny the ageing process and pretend that I'm not middle-aged and challenged by attendant crises... hmmm, there's another thread for this sort of thing, isn't there... I'll get me coat...
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464 metres
Posts: 31
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« Reply #12 on: 18:45:39, 04-04-2007 » |
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it seems peculiar to me to see it described as "Vintage"! When I used the term 'vintage' I meant it in the sense of 'of an era', rather than 'a long time ago'. However, it is almost 30 years ago, although 1979 to me seems like the week before last. (I was 18 at the time.) However, in terms of what has happened to Radio 3, it seems an aeon ago! |
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iwarburton
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« Reply #13 on: 10:14:01, 10-04-2007 » |
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and let's not forget the great Charles Fox.
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Robin Holmes and David Dunhill deserve a mention too.
Reference to Jon Curle reminds me that he used to read the very funny spoof news bulletins on the Men from the Ministry (R4 comedy, recently re-run on BBC7) and showed quite a talent for self-parody.
Ian.
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Alison
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« Reply #14 on: 22:21:36, 10-04-2007 » |
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My dad says these announcers are Victor Hallam and Donald Price in that order.
My first message on this board !
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