News on CBC Radio 2 by David Podgorski
/ June 4, 2008
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Since the CBC announced its decision
to cut classical programming and axe the CBC Radio Orchestra, they have
met with a massive public backlash, including demonstrations across
the country, a “Stand On Guard For CBC” website, and online petitions
and protests from Facebook and YouTube.
The latest protests on May 24 included
an impromptu concert on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery and
a choral concert of J.S. Bach’s chorale “Wachtet Auf ruft uns die
Stimme” at the CBC Atrium in Toronto.
Ivars Taurins of Tafelmusik spoke
at the Toronto rally on the 24th, asking that the CBC reconsider its
commitment to culture and the arts. “We take our cultural legacy for
granted,” Taurins said. “Nations that have had to rebuild their
culture from the rubble of war, revolution, or natural disaster have
a deeper respect and understanding of their cultural heritage. They
have tended to it and brought it back to life in the true meaning of
cultivation. But culture is all too often confused or melded with entertainment
and consumerism.”
Following the series of protests
around the country, The House of Commons standing committee on Canadian
heritage will be holding hearings on May 27 and 29 to discuss proposed
changes to CBC Radio 2, including the decision to disband the CBC Radio
orchestra.
Committee member and NDP heritage
critic Bill Siksay brought forward the motion to hold hearings. “I’m
concerned that the commitment to classical music in Canada is a key
part of the Canadian culture. CBC Radio 2 has been a key player in classical
music,” Siksay said. “And I’m also concerned as a member of Parliament
for Kingsway about the disbanding of the CBC Radio Orchestra,
which might be the only national cultural institution based in Vancouver
. . . I think it’s a significant national institution and one that
we shouldn’t give up lightly. n
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