Alphabet associations - I

[Flay]

googling says Sousa formed a quadrille orchestra [whatever that is]

Well, a quadrille is a dance where partners are constantly changing. So IMHO a quadrille orchestra must be one where they all swap instruments

[mercia]

wasn't that the basis of the Portsmouth Sinfonia ?

[Northender]

mercia is correct, of course. Sousa formed his own quadrille ensemble at the age of 11, while Elgar and Dodgson/Carroll wrote their respective quadrilles at the given ages.
EDIT:
I believe that Anna's Law has been complied with, but I think I'd better await clearance from subcontrabass before launching my 'R' on an unsuspecting world...

[Anna]

When I said Vivaldi I was of course thinking of his most famous work Quattro Formaggi which of course was another subtle clue towards the answer of Piazzolla!!! Apologies if I led anyone astray

[Northender]

There's a Victorian Quadrille orchestra for hire in West Springfield...I think Marge and Lisa might manage to display the requisite degree of elegance, but fear that father and son might detract from their efforts.

[Nick Armstrong]

Piazzolla Quattro Formaggi

[subcontrabass]

googling says Sousa formed a quadrille orchestra [whatever that is] when he was 11 years old
whereas he was in his thirties when he wrote the QotHQ
[your Elgar & Dodgson fit their respective ages]

That completes the correct three links. Northender for an R, I think.

[Northender]

Thank you.
'R'
John's was cancelled twice, Judith and friends may well have slept through theirs, while Richard's usually takes about 8 minutes.

[mercia]

wikipedia tells me that The Ride of the Valkyries usually takes about 8 minutes
wiki also tells me that John Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine has been cancelled at the Proms twice through coinciding with "wider events" [death of Diana& 9/11]
are we with Judith Durham & The Seekers and Morningtown Ride ? not sure of the sleepy aspect

[subcontrabass]

wikipedia tells me that The Ride of the Valkyries usually takes about 8 minutes
wiki also tells me that John Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine has been cancelled at the Proms twice through coinciding with "wider events" [death of Diana& 9/11]

Wikipedia also says that Judith Durham and the rest of The Seekers recorded Morningtown Ride, a lullaby which "tells the comforting story of the 'journey' through nighttime made by all the "little travellers" (children)".

[Northender]

wiki is not (as it were) taking you for a ride. Despite her name, Judith is not a Wearsider.

[mercia]

wiki is not (as it were) taking you for a ride. Despite her name, Judith is not a Wearsider.

neat clue
so Judith Weir, The Ride over Lake Constance ?
still adrift with the sleepiness though

[Northender]

wikipedia tells me that The Ride of the Valkyries usually takes about 8 minutes
wiki also tells me that John Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine has been cancelled at the Proms twice through coinciding with "wider events" [death of Diana& 9/11]
are we with Judith Durham & The Seekers and Morningtown Ride ? not sure of the sleepy aspect

I think the idea behind the song is that children climb aboard the train, settle down and go to sleep, and when they wake up they find that they've 'ridden' all the way to 'Morning Town'.
Please provide us with an 'S' at your convenience!

[mercia]

oops I mistakenly thought I was being put off Durham
ignore #22887

[mercia]

S connecting

part of time spent on Lysa Hora
5th movement dreams
a mermaid premieres Browning