Musica Viva’s AD counters criticisms of factual inaccuracy from the ABC while continuing to focus on the bigger picture.

Carl Vine has defended comments made to Limelight on the recent drastic reduction in outside broadcasts by Classic FM after the ABC accused him of “factual inaccuracy and false claims”. In a wide-ranging interview published last week, Musica Viva’s Artistic Director focussed on the bigger picture of government cuts and the station’s more than halving of outside broadcasts across all classical music presenters – from a total of 610 concerts in 2013 to 300 in 2016. He also told Limelight that he had been warned in face-to-face meetings by “people at Classic FM” that there could be a further reduction to 100 in 2017.

“Contrary to the report and the claims made by Musica Viva Artistic Director Carl Vine, Classic FM has held no discussion with Musica Viva about the number of committed recordings for 2017 other than to propose an increase in recordings with Musica Viva in 2017,” said Nick Leys, the ABC’s Media Manager. “In 2016, Classic FM recorded 18 events for broadcast, including covering the Huntington Estate Music Festival. By comparison, in 2017 Classic...