Alphabet associations - I

[rubbernecker]

My P question is pretty obscure, I admit, very difficult to pitch the level just right in my opinion, I think rubbernecker is onto it, surprise surprise

Petrassi , pupils also included Norma Beecroft (me, neither) and Kenneth Leighton

[rubbernecker]

What Q connects Buenos Aires, Budapest and Neath in South Wales?

In the spirit of fairness, and assuming that Rob Cowan is not participating, I should add a clue. The answer is a manufacturer of goods associated with classical music.

I am about to embark for the Welsh hills on my bicycle, where my BlackBerry desn't work, and will return after lunch to see how we're faring.

[rubbernecker]

Qualiton (me neither)?

That didn't take long, obviously the clue made it too easy. But as long as you had fun...

Qualiton, a defunct state-owned record label born in Budapest. I actually have several Qualiton LPs in my collection, but being a bit weird like that, I suppose that's not altogether surprising. Over to Hercule for R. I'll try and sit this one out, maybe go and wash the car or something instead...

[Norfolk Born]

34 of the last 37 messages posted on this thread have been from just 3 people, including myself. 'Elitist, moi?'

[french frank]

Qualiton, a defunct state-owned record label born in Budapest.

And which, as rn knows, Rob Cowan spent part of his early life flogging aroubnd the UK.

[Norfolk Born]

They were all born in Romania ... go on, tell me that isn't the right answer, even though it answers your question.

[rubbernecker]

does he often?

Nah, he thinks it's far too elitist

[Don Petter]

Coming up to three hours. Are we expecting an S from ofca, or has he gone off in a huff?

[Norfolk Born]

well done

My reply, though correct, wasn't meant to be serious. However, if, like me, you wish to encourage contributions from outside the 'magic circle', I can offer what I believe to be a pretty straightforward question, the answer to which begins with 'S':
Between 1491 and 1570, three cities later associated much later with, respectively, a Republic, a firestorm and a Wall all established what?

[Don Petter]

My reply, though correct, wasn't meant to be serious. However, if, like me, you wish to encourage contributions from outside the 'magic circle', I can offer what I believe to be a pretty straightforward question, the answer to which begins with 'S':
Between 1491 and 1570, three cities later associated much later with, respectively, a Republic, a firestorm and a Wall all established what?

Glad you're still here, ofca. I took your answer at face value, being a simple soul, and have now probably sent the other three off in huffs. Still, your conundrum will fill the time until they reappear. I'll start thinking.

I don't subscribe to any magic circle theory, being quite happy to have a guess if I can, and sit back to watch and wait if I can't. At least your question doesn't seem to relate to those 'contemptable' composers, who usually floor me. (Reactionary, me? Not really, just a joke.)

[Norfolk Born]

I wondered where all the huffs had gone - I had to walk! I remain, however, genuinely concerned that the thread might increasingly come across as a kind of refuge for a very limited number of initiates indulging in Senior Common Room humour and wordplay. I haven't checked, but I suspect that quite a few contributors who participated at the outset have now dropped out. Which, if true, is a great pity.

[subcontrabass]

My reply, though correct, wasn't meant to be serious. However, if, like me, you wish to encourage contributions from outside the 'magic circle', I can offer what I believe to be a pretty straightforward question, the answer to which begins with 'S':
Between 1491 and 1570, three cities later associated much later with, respectively, a Republic, a firestorm and a Wall all established what?

Staatskapelle: Weimar, Dresden, Berlin

[Norfolk Born]

[subcontrabass]

Next question:

What T links Arthur Benjamin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Offenbach and Johann Strauss?

[Norfolk Born]

Tale(s) ... of Two Cities/of The Tsar Saltan/of Hoffmann/of the Vienna Woods?