Sir, – The loss of Tim Thurston's serene programme Gloria is lamentable. It would seem that the bosses at Lyric measure presenters not by the quality of their broadcasts, but by the numbers of texted requests and answers to questions in banal competitions. Lyric seems to have forgetten its original remit of broadcasting classical music as a public service. – Yours, etc,
JOHN SWEETMAN,
Kilmacud,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Is Lyric FM really a classical station? Much of the daytime output is made up of classical “bits”, single movements from works over which, for all I know, the composers may have sweated blood. They are presented with little context and history, and often in a tone which a teacher might use to jolly along a fractious kindergarten.
This morning I listened to as much as I could bear, and that wasn't much – a scrap of a Hans Zimmer film score was followed by tracks from the Everly Brothers and the Eagles and a particularly overblown version of The Music of the Mind. I love the Everly Brothers and the Eagles, their songs are classic hits for sure, but their music can be heard across many stations.
Then on Lyric Notes at 10.25, a Thomas Newman film soundtrack was followed by the promise of a “fantastic Baroque coffee concert” and, I expect, more popular classical bits.
“Close your eyes and let the music set you free.” If only. – Yours, etc,
MAEVE KENNEDY,
Rathgar, Dublin 6.
Sir, – Jazz Alley and the mellow tones of Donald Helme have gone from the schedules. There used to be an hour on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday; some time ago this was reduced to Wednesday. Now not even Wednesday is left.
John Bowman recently reminded his listeners of a ranting preacher in the early days of the State who, with an oddly syncopated rhetoric, inveighed against the evils of “jungle music”. Is Lyric is to celebrate the centenary year of 2016 with a return to the culture of 2RN?
As Donald Helme used to say, “If you have been, thanks for listening”. – Yours, etc,
ROBIN HARTE,
Strawberry Beds,
Dublin 20.