*Googles DNF, then feels very silly for missing the obvious.*

Will Sharpe is a fine actor, but it was a poor casting decision. Why go to all the effort of painstakingly recreating the costumes and interiors of the late 18th century, only to cast someone who looks nothing like Mozart? It's just weird to watch.

The ending perfectly sums up how I feel about John Carey. I loved everything about him, right down to the sound of his voice.

Good God, you're right! I've never noticed. In my defence, it's such an awful song, I've tried not to think about it over the years.

He never quite managed to shake off his association with the cinema. But although his music became deeply unfashionable toward the end of the 50s, it has stood the test of time. Yes, it sounds like film music, but it's wonderful stuff and rich in invention.

I only ask because I remember going on caravan holidays and having gas lighting, which seemed really exciting at the time.

I forgot to check Peter Bradshaw. If he loves or hates a film, I'll usually take the opposite view.

With gas lighting, I hope?

I was trying to remember why the photo of Ivan Klima seemed familiar...

Exhibit A:

My favourite eight symphonies today:

Beethoven 3
Shostakovich 6
Sibelius 6
Rosenberg 3
Magnard 3
Mendelssohn 3
VW 3
Rubbra 6

The more astute will notice that they're all third or sixth symphonies. I assure you that it's a coincidence.

Good to see Glazunov get a mention.

So many well-known writers of my youth have dropped off the radar. Remember when David Lodge was huge?