Radio 3 has been told to replace Mozart with music by living British composers to boost the earnings of financially-stricken classical musicians.

The Ivors Academy, which represents music writers, said that broadcasting more works by contemporary UK and Irish composers would provide vital royalties payments and promotion for musicians whose earnings have been devastated by the coronavirus crisis.

In a letter to Alan Davey, Radio 3 Controller, Gary Carpenter, chair of The Ivors Academy Classical Committee, accepted that Harrison Birtwistle at breakfast might be too “complex” for some Radio 3 listeners.

Fees disappearing

But programmes like Through The Night and the Radio 3 Mixtape, might be “appropriate platforms” for more contemporary composers.

Mr Carpenter wrote: “Our performances are being cancelled along with the work of freelance players and as their fees disappear, so do our royalties.”

“We therefore wondered if, during this challenging time, you might consider broadcasting more work by living British and Irish composers?”

In a Tweet reply, Mr Davey said he was “focused on keeping Radio 3 on air.”

He said the station was already giving airtime to living composers, with more initiatives to be unveiled.

Self-employed musicians suffering

“Helping composers and musicians to earn in difficult times is really important and a key part of what we do. Music matters,” Mr Davey wrote.

The Ivors Academy added: “The BBC is the largest commissioner of classical music in the UK and has access to thousands of recordings of contemporary classical recordings – many of which only receive a first performance.”

“Classical composers, along with most other musicians are self-employed and have not received the same support from the Government as businesses and their employees.”