Friday Night is Music Night

"Friday Night is Music Night" is a long running live BBC radio programme featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra, broadcast most Fridays on BBC Radio 2 at 7.30pm. It is claimed to be the world's longest-running 'live music' radio programme. [" [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/fridaynight/index.shtml Friday Night is Music Night] " at bbc.co.uk]

Format

"Friday Night is Music Night" traditionally begins with the orchestra playing the first bars of an adapted version of Charles Williams's "High Adventure". After the fanfare, the compère (today usually Ken Bruce, Aled Jones, Paul Gambaccini or Russell Davies, but formerly Richard Baker, Jimmy Kingsbury, Robin Boyle, or Brian Kay) gives a summary of the programme, before reciting the slogan of the title. This happens again at the close of the programme, with the announcer usually ending on "I hope that once again we have proved that Friday Night IS Music Night"

It is broadcast live from many theatres and concert halls throughout the UK, although regularly from the Mermaid Theatre in London or the Watford Colosseum. The show is not recorded live every week, but instead previous shows are repeated later in the year when the orchestra is on tour.

Appeal

The programme regularly features many types of music, such as classical music, light music, film music, theatre music and songs from the musicals, opera and operetta. It is also notable for its arrangements of popular standards and folksongs. One of its biggest appeals is its unpredicable playlist, which is left unrevealed until broadcast.

The programme usually features guest artistes between the orchestral pieces, who sing with full orchestral accompaniment. Occasionally, artistes such as Donny Osmond and Alanis Morissette perform in the larger venues. The programme also showpieces certain sections of the orchestra, or features guest instrumentalists.

History

The programme has been running since 1952, first on the BBC Light Programme and now on its successor, BBC Radio 2, making it the world's longest-running 'live music' radio programme. Many attribute the programme's format to the composer and conductor Sidney Torch. In particular, it is notable for now being the only programme to feature light music on Radio 2.

In 2005, the programme was televised for the first time on BBC Four as part of a special 'light music night', and as such concentrated on classic light music by composers such as Eric Coates, Trevor Duncan, Ronald Binge and Leroy Anderson. Bizarrely, the compère was not one of the regulars, but instead actor and comedian Roy Hudd, who somewhat strayed from the normal format by telling a story in the middle.

Controversy

Controversially, in 2004 the traditional Christmas special was replaced by the BBC in favour of a special featuring only Cliff Richard, a change continued with Elaine Paige in 2005. However, this has alienated many fans for whom the traditional mix of light Christmas arrangements with only a few songs was the preferred format.

Also, the show's recent tendency to feature more celebrity hosts and artistes has drawn criticism from previously unknown guest artistes who used the programme as an excellent way to become noticed.

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/fridaynight/ BBC Friday Night is Music Night website]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/concertorchestra/ BBC Concert Orchestra website]
* [http://www.guildmusic.com/artists/bbcconct.htm Biography of BBC Concert Orchestra]