Letter: Reasons to switch off Radio 3

Sir: While agreeing with Michael De-la-Noy (letter, 4 August) that the recent changes to Radio 3 have produced a reduction in quality, I cannot agree with him that this is the inevitable result of any attempt to broaden the appeal of this service.

I have enjoyed Radio 3's broad range of programming for many years. However, it has been a source of regret to me that while many of my friends enjoy opera, theatre and orchestral concerts, few of them can be encouraged to listen to Radio 3. I suspect this to be due largely to the atmosphere of elitism which Mr De-la-Noy appears to find so attractive. The assumption that, to enjoy music or literature presented in a 'serious' context, one must already be knowledgeable in either is simply incorrect. While appreciating the qualifications of Radio 3 presenters in their specialist fields, I believe many of them have failed to grasp that one of their principal objectives should be communication with the general public.

Popularity in broadcasting may alter standards, but need not lower them, as commercial American classical music stations have been proving for years.

Yours faithfully,

PETE GRAINGER

London, NW5

4 August