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I really can’t parse 19 across as an an&lit. I tried when I read it and I’ve tried again, but it’s too much of a stretch. The original linguistic source doesn’t help either. The setter can do rather elegant &lits - 24 across for example, so I remain recalcitrant.

As to an “author”, an Austrian Holy Roman Emperor might be worth seeking out.

Hmm. I got the quote eventually but I don’t have ODQ and none of my Google searches produced that exact wording.

The ODQ (7th edition, 2009) is really only helpful if you know what you're looking for. Just one of the 12 words - the 10th - is indexed. I would have thought the 2nd and 12th ought to have been indicated as well but under-indexing is one of my beefs with that book.

I didn't bother with ODQ, seeing as it wasn't mentioned in the preamble. I tracked the quotation down quite easily and quickly.

Lucky you
Im a bit confused
We are told to think of the author as an austrian holy roman emperor?
There were lots of those

It wasn't all down to just luck - the phrase I used took me straight to relevant information!

Well , I have finally finished this one. Found it rather tricky and left it overnight a couple of times.
The quote came easily to me as my husband was a huge fan of the composer .
I am not sure I have the correct word in 17 a Is it N or S for final letter... or neither ?!

Ignore my last question. Have found it in Chambers

Hi, jazzgirl. The final letter of 17a is S. The wordplay is or + r(ag) + is.

Thanks Will. I think I needed another coffee !