As all old journalists know, the difference between working for a right-wing newspaper and a “compassionate” liberal media organisation is that the latter always sack people just before Christmas. Which is what has happened to Stephen Jackson, who was the hugely respected director of the BBC Symphony Chorus for 26 years until last month, when he was given the old heave-ho by Alan Davey, the controller of BBC Radio 3.
Was Jackson bad at his job? On the contrary. In a city of top-notch amateur choirs the BBC Symphony Chorus is never far from the top of the pile, showcased in Proms and BBC Symphony Orchestra concerts, exemplary in choral masterpieces and premieres alike, and garnering excellent reviews. In the past 26 years I have