{"id":1497,"date":"2012-02-12T16:28:03","date_gmt":"2012-02-12T21:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=1497"},"modified":"2012-02-12T16:28:03","modified_gmt":"2012-02-12T21:28:03","slug":"cbc-goes-live-with-new-online-classical-channels-and-completely-redesigned-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2012\/02\/12\/cbc-goes-live-with-new-online-classical-channels-and-completely-redesigned-website\/","title":{"rendered":"CBC goes live with new online classical channels and completely redesigned website"},"content":{"rendered":"
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250 Front St. W. after the 2008 protest against cuts to CBC classical programming<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The CBC has quietly gone live with a totally revamped website and online music offerings at cbcmusic.ca, ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled official launch.<\/p>\n

This is a huge change, meant to do several different things, starting with bringing CBC Radio, TV and web offerings together under one easy-to-navigate tent. The new site integrates the latest in social media tools, offers all manner of on-demand programming, video and audio as well as community tie-ins, like concert calendars by artist or city.<\/p>\n

For classical music fans, who have spent the last four years virtually cursing and spitting on the ground at the loss of several hours of classical programming a day on Radio 2, as well as the near-total disappearance of arts programming from CBC Television, this is supposed to promise new ways of connecting with their favourite listening, artists and concerts.<\/p>\n

There are now 10 classical “stations” at the CBC: Radio 2, Essential Classics, Opera, Baroque, Modern Masters, Orchestral, Piano, Glenn Gould, CBC Records and Canadian Composers. As I type this, late Canadian composer Ann Southam’s Seastill is playing on the last channel.<\/p>\n

It’s not like real radio, though, because there isn’t a host to provide little bits of commentary or insight, nor is there a way of directly getting information on the piece or composer or artist currently playing. I have to go looking elsewhere if I want to know who Ann Southam was, when she wrote Seastill or, even more importantly in terms of the usual information one would hear on the radio: who is performing, or when the performance took place (or was recorded).<\/p>\n

The old Concerts on Demand have been integrated, along with a variety of special concert video footage, which can also be accessed via CBC Music’s YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is a lot to browse and check out on what is still labelled a “beta” site. There’s a lot missing, which will no doubt get filled in over the coming weeks and months.<\/p>\n

Because the CBC’s new online presence is supposed to be community focused — by interest as well as other affiliations, including location — each reader’s or listener’s input is part of its development. Constructive criticism should lead to constructive engagement.<\/p>\n

We just need to hope that there are the means and the will at the public broadcaster to follow through with all of these great promises.<\/p>\n

Robert Rowat, the new community producer for the classical channels, has posted his words of welcome as “Classical music thrives at CBC Music<\/a>.” It’s well worth checking out.<\/p>\n

I have a blog entry on the new site, here<\/a>, on tonight’s Grammy awards. The broadcaster is also marshalling a wide range of online commentators to produce live chat during tonight’s awards’ ceremony, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here, courtesy of CBC Music, is J.S. Bach’s French Suite No. 4, in E-flat Major, performed by Angela Hewitt at Koerner Hall:<\/p>\n