Listener Crossword 4288: Solution Notes
A Birthday −A−B−C(E−F) by KevGar
Puzzle explanation
The initials of extra words in clues spelt “squares”, hinting that the letters A to F represent the first six square numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25 and 36 respectively. Thematic entries are the nicknames of symphonies by Joseph Haydn, clued by their numbers. The title is A Birthday Surprise, referencing the “Surprise” Symphony, No. 94. Haydn was born on 31 March 1732.
For the “Hen” Symphony, No. 83, the expected expression was A−B+C+D+E+F. Extra brackets, eg A−(B−C)+D+E+F, were accepted as long as they didn't change the value of the expression.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Extra word | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across | |||
| 1 | (SCHOOLMASTER) | Symphony 55 = 1 + 4 + 9 + 16 + 25 | |
| 10 | PROPOLIS | PRO + POLISH − H | |
| 12 | shoddy | HALO | (c)H(e)A(p) L(o)O(k) |
| 13 | SARSEN | EN(s) after SARS | |
| 15 | INKLE | KINDLE * − (downloa)D | |
| 16 | (CLOCK) | Symphony 101 = 1 + 4 × 25 | |
| 17 | LASS | LASSIE − IE | |
| 18 | queen’s | CACOLET | COLE in CAT |
| 19 | OVOIDAL | VOID in OA(k) + L | |
| 23 | TABOR | OR after BAT < | |
| 24 | SAINS | SANS around I | |
| 26 | (MERCURY) | Symphony 43 = -9 + 16 + 36 | |
| 27 | COCKPIT | COCK + TIP < | |
| 29 | BAMS | AB < + MS | |
| 32 | urethane | PATIO | (s)P(r)A(y) T(h)I(s) O(n) |
| 33 | DEPOT | DEP(art) + TO < | |
| 34 | ASLOPE | A + POLES * | |
| 35 | author | ECCO | E(ighth) + C + C + O |
| 36 | (DRUMROLL) | Symphony 103 = 4 − 9 × (25 − 36) | |
| 37 | RECREATIONAL | REC + RATIONAL around E(P) | |
| Down | |||
| 2 | CRENA | ANE < after CR | |
| 3 | HONKS | (HOST − T) around NK | |
| 4 | resting | OOSE | (l)OOSE(n) |
| 5 | LLAMA | (A + MALL) < | |
| 6 | (MIRACLE) | Symphony 96 = -4 + 9 × 16 × 25 / 36 | |
| 7 | SHELLAC | HELL in SAC(k) | |
| 8 | ELECTOR | E + LECTOR | |
| 9 | engraving | ROCK CRYSTAL | (ROCKERY − E) around C + LAST * |
| 10 | (PHILOSOPHER) | Symphony 22 = 1 − 4 + 25 | |
| 11 | PALS | SLAP < | |
| 14 | SCOT | SCOUT − U | |
| 20 | VACANCE | VACAN(t) + CE | |
| 21 | INCISOR | (ROSSINI − S(onata) + C) * | |
| 22 | AMPHORA | CAMPHOR − C + A | |
| 25 | Scottish | SKOL | SOL around K(ing) |
| 28 | INPUT | (I + NUT) around P | |
| 29 | (BEAR) | Symphony 82 = 1 − 9 × (16 − 25) | |
| 30 | APRON | (PAN + OR) * | |
| 31 | MOLLA | MOLL + A | |
| 33 | DEMI- | (lea)D(ing) (plan)E(tary) (move)M(ent’s) (ecl)I(pse) | |