Big changes are afoot at Radio 3. Choral Evensong is being moved from Wednesday to Sunday; Brian Kay’s request show and his light-music series are both being axed, along with Stage and Screen, Voices and Mixing It; and, as I reported last week, there will be less live music in the evening (though the Proms will be unaffected).

All this takes effect — unless Roger Wright, the controller, is forced to change his mind — from late February. That will be in the immediate aftermath of a week devoted to the entire works of Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Is it intended simply to capitalise on that extra excitement, change for change’s sake or a proper response to research? Wright refuses to comment: he wants to get every detail straight and then announce it as a fait accompli. “We don’t want to give out incomplete information,” says his spokeswoman.

It is hard, therefore, to see what general principle underpins this latest shake-up, especially as two separate parts of the schedule, evenings and afternoons, are affected.

Significantly, even individual producers have not been told, and some presenters were not due to meet Wright until two days ago. So, speculation abounds. But the key ingredient of the new schedule, in my view, is its increased use of the BBC’s own orchestras and singers. As members of staff, they do not have to be paid any extra, however much of their recordings is used on air. Programmes featuring them are therefore much cheaper than those that employ outside experts. This will enable Radio 3 to implement some of its efficiency savings, which all parts of the BBC (which is also losing 3,000 posts) are now having to make. Radio 3 knows that it is an expensive service to run (£31m per year, plus another £28m for the orchestras) in relation to its tiny audience of 2m.

The reduction of live concert broadcasts, which Radio 3 confirmed 12 days ago without giving any details, seems the oddest thing of all, given its oft-proclaimed and admirable commitment to live music.

Sarah Spilsbury, who runs the pressure group Friends of Radio 3, says: “The decision to cut live concert broadcasts is disappointing and of no benefit to listeners. The reported explanation that unpredictable overruns upset the schedules is rubbish. In practice, overruns seldom happen.”

On weekdays, in order to let Afternoon Performance — the showcase for the BBC orchestras — run until 5pm, Wright is removing the shows that now start at 4pm. Brian Kay’s Light Programme is the Thursday one. His Sunday request show, 3 for All, will make room for Choral Evensong. “It does seem strange to lose two specialist shows that have proved of interest to listeners,” says Kay.

Choral Evensong’s last weekday outing will be on Ash Wednesday, February 21. Wright checked informally with the Archbishop of Canterbury that the Church of England would not oppose the move. The shift will generate reaction.

Those keen to make representations should not approach Wright. Although a decent man, his mind is made up, and he wants to inform, not consult. They should write instead to the BBC’s chairman, Michael Grade, at 35 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4AA. “Have Your Say,” he is always proclaiming. Now’s your chance.

paul.donovan@sunday-times.co.uk