Radio 3: the harpsichord's worst enemy?

I am frequently informed that performances of harpsichord music on radio always seem to be on the piano. And it's true.

The BBC's charter stipulates that the organisation shall seek a balanced output. This crucial characteristic of good broadcasting is lacking from music scheduled on the BBC's 'flagship' culture station, Radio 3. Despite protests from many listeners over several years, the station continues to offer a highly selective 'sound-world', giving disproportionate airtime to world music and jazz (which many feel should not even be within Radio 3's remit), while consciously neglecting many musical genres or instruments which are considered 'minority interests', or which are out of favour for reasons known only to BBC producers. My own complaint focuses, of course, on their treatment of my own instrument, the harpsichord, but those keen on the sound of the guitar, the lute, the organ, or the trio sonata (to give four examples from many), will find themselves in a similar plight.

Look at the schedules for Radio 3 from daybreak to midnight during one week recently. They're quite typical:

Sunday: Three Scarlatti sonatas, played by Nina Milkina, piano.

Monday: Corelli violin sonata in D minor, played by violin and piano.

Tuesday: Veracini: violin sonata in B minor played by violin and piano.

Wednesday: (from the Lufthansa festival of Baroque Music!) Bach: Partita 1, and English Suite 2, played by Martin Helmchen, piano.

Thursday: Bach: Concerto in the Italian Style, played by Andras Schiff, piano; Vivaldi: violin sonata in A, played by violin and piano. Couperin: 6 pieces, played by Alexandre Tharaud, piano.

Friday: Bach: Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, played by Samuil Feinberg, piano; Plus three Bach preludes and fugues, played by Alfredo Peri, piano.

An extreme example, perhaps. But the underlying bias is clear.

To return to the central point: This bias is destructive. It deprives the audience of a balanced output, and contravenes the BBC's charter. It must continue to be challenged. If people don't demonstrate how they feel, the present bias will never be changed.

If you want to check the validity of this critique, have a look at Radio 3 schedules. The BBC's provision of web forums, in my opinion, is more a token gesture to "participation' than a real means of influencing it. If you don't like what you find, write to Controller, Radio 3, BBC Broadcasting House, London W1A 1AA, or email the BBC.