ST 2573 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 2573 (Hints)

by Big Dave  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2573 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Big Dave

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.

Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.

Could new readers please read the Welcome post before asking questions about the site.

A full review of this puzzle will be published on or after the closing date.

Across

7a    Reacted aggressively in end of letter the writer sent (8)
A verb meaning reacted aggressively is a charade of R (end of letteR), the writer of the puzzle (1) and sent, as in sent a letter

10a    Wife put in grave situation when Richard was discontented? (6)
… in Shakespeare’s play Richard III

12a    Composition of the year, a set of concertos (3,4,7)
In this double definition the parts of a year are also a set of concertos by 20a – and the theme of this puzzle

20a    New arrangement for violin, to an avid composer (7,7)
An anagram (new arrangement) of VIOLIN TO AN AVID gives the full name of the composer of 12a

28a    Test broadcast on TV channel for minister (3,5)
Put a test broadcast to try out a new programme after (it’s that wretched word on again) a TV channel to get a slang word for a clergyman

Down

1d    Car, note, missing second motorway (4)
This car is derived by dropping the second M (motorway) from a type of musical note

4d    State north of Washington and New York (6)
This is already causing consternation! You are meant to think of Washington DC and New York as cities, but what you need is the state, not in the US, that borders both Washington and New York US states

18d    Wanting a drink, son gets stuck into a lot of XXXX (7)
An adjective meaning wanting a drink is created by putting S(on) inside the number represented in Roman numerals by most of XXX(X)

26d    Contradictory responses to request for peaceful retreat (4)
Combine a negative response (2) with a positive one (2) to get a peaceful retreat

If you need further help then please ask and I will see what I can do.

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put whole or partial answers or alternative clues in your comment, else they may be censored!

104 comments on “ST 2573 (Hints)”

  1. I thought I would get in first before all those impatient people who have been posting on last week’s puzzle review so eager were they to comment on this brilliant themed offering from Virgilius. As I said to Gnomey this morning, we are soon going to run out of superlatives when reviewing Sunday puzzles. Thanks Virgilius for the great fun and BD for the hints.

  2. Loved the theme today, only quibble was 4d, can’t really think its cryptic, whichever way you look at it? fav clues 5d, 2d and the themed ones :) thanks for hints Dave, sorry for leading Pommers astray!!

      1. Chambers, as always, has the answer. Three of the definitions of state:

        * A political community under one government

        * One of a number of political communities forming a federation under a central government

        * The territory of such a community

  3. Hello BD
    4d – I was correct then, for once, but your explanation reads better than mine!
    Great crossword so thanks to Virgilius (I’m assuming it was he).
    Loved the theme and only today realised I didn’t know the composer’s first name but it was clear from the anagram fodder.
    Thanks for the blog and for editing my gaff on CS’s review of last weeks Sunday.

      1. Always read them CS. After all your effort writing them it would be rude to ignore them and I enjoy the read!

        1. I am just enjoying the writing of today’s puzzle review – much better for me post Sunday lunch than snoozing in the chair like Mr CS!

          1. Look forward to reading it. Can’t put my finger on why but this is my favourite puzzle for some time! Perhaps it’s just that I love the piece of music. Hope Mr CS is enjoying his siesta, might go for one myself as this is Spain but the weather is too nice this pm!

            1. We actually have sun in E Kent this afternoon but the keen easterly wind would deter anyone from actually going outside and enjoying it, although saying that, in full thermals and a hat I did have a very nice four mile walk this morning.

              1. Beautiful sunshine here and blue skies yesterday and today but the frost is still white on the ground!

                1. Believe it or not it’s getting down to about zero overnight here. I don’t get up until the sun has had chance to clear the ***** though!

                  1. That was the quickest edit Ive ever seen!!!!!
                    What’s wrong with ***** or were you just demostrating!

  4. What a great crossword! The theme quickly became apparent, and there were some good laugh-out-loud clues!

  5. Yes, this was great fun and I enjoyed the musical theme, however It took me a long time to complete and I’ve only just managed to put in 24 and 25d — stinkers! Anyway, thanks to Virgilius and to BD of course.
    :-)

      1. Yes, Mary, same here. I looked at 26d for ages; it’s one of those pesky 4 letter words I always struggle with. It was the last one in for me and I needed to look at the hint before the penny dropped. But I enjoyed the puzzle. Thanks to setter and BD for the tips

      2. Yes I did. the squiggle I put through the number made it look like a 25. I should have been wearing my glasses. :-)

  6. ” I cannot do this bloody thing” going for a shower, then cook lunch, “I shall return”

  7. On a different subject, if any of you have some spare time then this week’s NTSPP by Qix is well worth a look. Not so difficult as some recent offerings but very enjoyable.

  8. Lovely puzzle with lovely theme, although I did wonder why and even looked him up to see if it’s his birthday! 12/20a fell into place very easily, along with several others. Last in was 23a, not a word I hear very often and the clue I liked the least. 28a was a term I’ve never heard before and given one my jobs of playing at the crem, it has to be my clue of the week! Another one done with only a few hints and no electronic gizmos.

    Thanks to Virgilius and BD.

  9. Greatly enjoyable, after a cold but enervating morning of tennis. Had to convince myself that 16d was correct, as my dictionary only contained a definition to do with a metallic element. I look forward to the full debrief.

    1. Hi Digby
      To get the element you have to switch a couple of the letters around. Had to check the dictionary for this one as well. Never come across the word!

  10. Mary
    Run out of reply space but deleted was the white stuff on the ground. I pressed ‘post comment’ and the post appeared with the asterisks – I think BD is having a laugh!

      1. I think it’s because of my comment on CS’s review about the edit in a microsecond – this one was more like a nanosecond! Proving a point perhaps, or as I said, having a laugh lol!

  12. I didn’t find this too difficult but couldn’t do 4d.
    I think that, from the fact people are talking about 16d being an element, my answer is wrong – any help? Was always a bit doubtful about it anyway and only put it in because it fitted and I couldn’t think of another word that did!
    Loved the crossword although it was only when I’d finished it (apart from aforementioned pesky 4d) that I noticed the theme.
    I’m completely confused about what has been deleted from lots of the comments …
    Thanks to Virgilius and Big Dave.

    1. It is an element . But if you look it up on Wikipedia, which I just did for review purposes as Chambers just mentioned the element bit, you will find some of its compounds are related to arsenic. Read the wordplay and you will see how it links up.

      1. Oh damn and blast! Thanks all for the helpful comments – and I STILL can’t do it!! Going to go off to have a bit of a sulk, stack some more wood and let the brain cogitate for a little while.

        1. It is very close in spelling to the word to do with an element, or arsenic etc but there is one letter difference in the spelling, if you stick to the anagram you will get it, just one M not two! hope I’m right on this??

        1. I realised that a short while ago and have amended my draft. Am off to move Mr CS off the sofa and rest my brain cells!

      1. I don’t really know about the element bit, I think it is to do with a contradiction between two laws or priciples when both think they’re right , not very sure though!

        1. I’m pretty sure you’re right Mary. The element in ******** and that isn’t the answer.

          Def of the answer from Collins
          1. opposition of one law, principle, or rule to another; contradiction within a law
          2. contradiction existing between two apparently indubitable propositions; paradox

                1. Won’t be so talkative tomorrow. Today I’ve been a bit at a loose end since the end of the tennis (and Mr Murray) due to Pommette having her head in her computer building a web site. Perhaps normal tomorrow if she gets it done and then there’s bridge in the afternoon.
                  See ya

    3. Hi Kath
      You need to read the comments on CS’s review of last Sunday (2572) to understand the conversation about deletions.
      16d isn’t the element but a word that means paradox and to get it, take the element and switch 2 of the letters. Odd word which I’d never come across before!

  13. 16d help please – the missus is determined that this is poison related (but since she is making dinner I want to keep her happy).

      1. too late – she put mercury in the tatties…. the only heavy metal she had. solved it now (but a new word for us).

        1. You do realise we’re filling up BD’s inbox with mindless chatter. Definitely off to the shower now!

  17. I got in a bit of a mess until I spotted the theme, which I should have noticed earlier, given that the piece of music and the composer were my first two in. I had secure instead of the hot time of year – bound and jail seemed to indicate that answer.

  18. However – have been out, come home – over 2 hours later, last one can’t do – 24d. Think I must be very thick because there are not many words will go there and I can’t see the right one??! Aargh! (or maybe Hagar?) Is anyone going to help me? Thanks for all the tips etc. couldn’t have got this far otherwise. 9a only came to me when I’d got the other three seasons!

  19. Took me best part of antiques roadshow and some of countryfile to finish, but to my shame without noticing the theme.D’oh! Is there a reason for said theme?

  20. Hallelujah!!! Got there . Thanks to Virgilius and BD. Goes to show what a shower and a Sunday roast can do for the little grey cells. Lots of lovely clues really hated 27a!

  21. An excellently themed puzzle. Great job Brian G!
    The only one I had a little bother with was 16d as I thought of Stibium at first!

    How did it go at the Waterfall BD?

  22. Thank you Ian – I can now go to bed! But don’t like the word – it’s horrid, even though it does make sense .Not being at all musical, I didn’t spot the theme either, until I’d read the blogs above, so you’re not alone. I appreciate your help! And all the others – for once I’ve finished a ST Xword – whooppee!

      1. I appreciate that would not give the answer, but if the atomic number was permissible I was going to qualify it by referring to Pommers entry in 12* i.e switch 2 of the letters. Very interested to follow the debate on that particular clue and look forward to the review by CT next sunday.

        1. Wayne

          There is no mention of an element in the clue or the answer. What you are trying to do is to give an alternative clue, which may lead someone to the answer but does not help anyone to understand the published clue.

  25. 26d! Finally got it – it’s not a “tactical” retreat as I had been thinking for the last 24hrs!

    1. Good morning Spindrift, I found 26d a clever little clue which took me some time to work out yesterday as did 24d. Ah well on to todays.

  26. This driving me mad, I’ve been at it for 24 hours and still haven’t finished it, sooooooo hard! Cannot see 5d or 11a and 23a is a complete mystery. Got the theme early on but have to say not enjoying this one at all, far far too difficult for me.

    1. Re:23a, hope I dont get in trouble here. Rearrange the letters of the 3 letter word in the clue and add to a former province of south africa to give a word describing a baby.
      Will try and send clues for 5d and 11a without incurring the wrath of BD.

  27. Got 23a at last as I had mispelt 16d, I thought it was a heavy metal rather than a paradox. Just than dreadful 26d, 5d and 11a to go

    2. 11a. Take1st letter of one of the 4 letter words in the clue and add a word for people who receive money for work, the complete word can mean students.

  28. Lovely crossword. Started at 6 this morning and done but for 22d – help. BD – how do you spot the setters? I find it hard to see their different styles.

    1. It’s about time I added this to the FAQ as it’s the most frequently asked question!

      Our info comes from the setters themselves.

      Sunday – always Brian Greer (Virgilius)
      Monday – nearly always Roger Squires (Rufus) – if it’s not he tells us
      Tuesday – Shamus or a mystery setter
      Wednesday – Jeremy Mutch (Jay)
      Thursday – Ray T or a mystery setter, one of which is Anthony Plumb
      Friday – Don Manley (Giovanni)
      Saturday – Peter Chamberlain alternates with a mystery setter

      You can see pictures of Roger, Jeremy and Anthony in the Derby Day album on facebook

      Derby Day

  29. Got it (22d)! Its ******. So obvious. PS agree on 4d – a bit daft. But 23a, 28a and 16d are ace.

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