Alphabet Associations - II

[Flay]

Well I know but how on earth did you know Miles was one of his names?

I didn't. It turned up in one of my numerous fruitless Google searches

[Nick Armstrong]

I didn't. It turned up in one of my numerous fruitless Google searches

We've all been there!

[subcontrabass]

This O is associated with a vitrified (though actually petrified) first appearance, and also with two varied members of an Elizabethan sextet, making a dozen in one case.

Does "Elizabethan sextet" refer to the work of that name by Milton Babbitt?

[Pulcinella]

Does "Elizabethan sextet" refer to the work of that name by Milton Babbitt?

No.
I think I will let other contributors to this round have a go before dropping another hint.

[mercia]

two varied members of an Elizabethan sextet

is that bit anything to do with the collaborative work "Variations on an Elizabethan Theme" ?

how about Oldham, birthplace of Walton ?

[Pulcinella]

is that bit anything to do with the collaborative work "Variations on an Elizabethan Theme" ?

how about Oldham, birthplace of Walton ?

So how does it work?

[mercia]

So how does it work?

good question. Arthur Oldham was another variation contributor (as well as William). That's as far as I've got. I guess we're looking for more people either named or from the said town.

[Pulcinella]

good question. Arthur Oldham was another variation contributor (as well as William). That's as far as I've got. I guess we're looking for more people either named or from the said town.

One more person who gives Oldham a claim to fame, not musical as far as I know, but there's the extra Walton hint too that you could comment on, perhaps!

[mercia]

Walton wrote a lovely choral work called "The Twelve" ???

[Pulcinella]

Walton wrote a lovely choral work called "The Twelve" ???

He did indeed!

Now, the very special other person who is linked with Oldham.
And yes, I didn't know either! T'interweb is wonderful: a veritable triumph of conception.

[mercia]

One more person who gives Oldham a claim to fame

...... making a 'vitrified' first appearance ? ..... like the first "test-tube" baby ? Louise Brown apparently

[Pulcinella]

...... making a 'vitrified' first appearance ? ..... like the first "test-tube" baby ? Louise Brown apparently

Exactly so!



So, the full explanation.

Oldham is where Louise Brown, the world's first test-tube baby, was born.
The process is now known as in vitro fertilisation (hence vitrified) but according to the wiki link the procedure took place in a Petri dish (hence petrified!):

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Brown

The collaborative work is
Variations on an Elizabethan theme (Sellinger's round: hence my early hint to scb about waiting for other contributors to the round).
Amongst the six composers we have Arthur Oldham, and Willie Walton, Oldham's most famous son, who wrote The twelve.

Time for a pee, I think, mercs!

[mercia]

what a clever question. do you composer Telegraph cryptic crosswords by any chance ?



P

do Huxley's devils wear a Black Mask at Christmas ?

[Pulcinella]

what a clever question. do you composer Telegraph cryptic crosswords by any chance ?

No! I don't even take The Telegraph 'just for the sport'!
But my partner and I usually tackle The Times cryptic at 5 each night, as we crack (unscrew?) a bottle of cheap Aldi red, and we usually finish it (and the wine!) in the hour or so before the evening meal is ready, though the iPad edition is great at letting you cheat when you get stuck!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

what a clever question. do you composer Telegraph cryptic crosswords by any chance ?

- had me searching for works by Philip Glass, Phillippe de Vitry ... and the Rolling Stones!

P

do Huxley's devils wear a Black Mask at Christmas ?

I shall take time to pender this one.