It's uncomfortable to lose your key classical music executive the day before you announce more commitments to "The Arts"; unfortunate timing for the news of Roger Wright's decision to move on from Radio 3 and The Proms.
He's undoubtedly been a Good Thing for both jobs, despite the noises off from Friends of Radio 3. He took over Radio 3 in November 1998. His first quarterly audience figures showed a reach of 2.2m and a 1.4% share of the available audience; Classic FM's figures at the same time were 6.0m and a share of 4.3%. In the most recent quarter, Radio 3 returned as close as dammit to 2.0m and a share of 1.1%; Classic FM was down to 5.6m and 3.5% share.
At the Proms, which he ran from the 2008 season, he's produced 453 concerts so far, and will have another 75 or so under his belt by the time his Last Night comes around in September. Average attendance for the main evening concerts in the last three series have run at 94%, 93% and 93%.
Over his tenure, the BBC has maintained the same number of orchestras; how long will that hold ?
Roger's home is north of Bedford (in a house that saw Glenn Miller's last ever private performance in this country), and he's famously used London hotels during the eight-week Prom seasons; from mid-September, the work journey is up from 60 miles to 100, to reach Aldeburgh, where he will be the new Chief Executive of Aldeburgh Music.
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