Spreading the sound

SIR – The importance of attracting younger generations to classical music (Letters, February 28) cannot be overstated. Offering tuition in schools is vital, as is the availability of live performances, not only in major cities but also in smaller theatres and halls.

In London during the Fifties and Sixties, the Royal Festival Hall was filled for classical music concerts almost every evening. Tickets to see major British and overseas orchestras and soloists cost just a few shillings. As a teenager, I often went there three times a week. The Royal Albert Hall, meanwhile, was packed on Sunday nights for Tchaikovsky extravaganzas. John Pritchard Ingatestone, Essex

SIR – Linda Hughes and Evelyn Gottlieb (Letters, February 28) are absolutely right about the results of Radio 3’s search for younger listeners.

In a typical half-hour on the Saturday-morning breakfast programme, one is now lucky to hear 15 minutes of true classical music, and the conversation seldom reaches even sixth-form level. In one such slot recently, we were treated to Charles Aznavour, a discussion on the merits of the croissant, and assorted extracts of birdsong from the BBC sound archives.

“The home of classical music”? For me, alas, no more. I am increasingly grateful for online alternatives where one can listen to classical music uninterrupted by either advertising or the inanities which pass for presenter comment at the BBC these days. My own favourite is Radio Swiss Classic. Jeremy Thomas Birmingham

SIR – With the exceptions of David Mellor and Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM has become the place for pensioned-off BBC announcers with little or no attachment to classical music. The BBC has also downgraded its classical offering.

There is an opening for musicians – preferably young, skilled purveyors of their art – to bring back serious classical broadcasting, free from commercials and irrelevant chit-chat. Millions of us would happily offer financial support for such a venture.

Richard English Poundbury, Dorset