Newsgroups: rec.puzzles.crosswords
Subject: CWC106 Results!
Organization: MV Communications, Inc.


Okay, the results are in for CWC106, and the winner is newcomer
Jean O'Conor <momjean7@aol.com> with the following entry for word #1:

Piece of Mozart - one dancing tune! (6)

Jean has predeclined moderation honors, which will pass to Clay
Colwell <eris@bga.com> who submitted the winning entry for word #2:

An introductory note: I gape at a group wandering without direction (12)


Thanks to all who participated.  Judging was not easy, especially for
word #2.  :-)  Clues only are listed first, followed by a "spoiler
alert" and then the clues, explanations, and comments.

- Pete

Clues only (** = winner; * = runner-up; + = honorable mention):

Word #1
Letter in Greek and Latin describes fashionable dance (6)
+It isn't Max you heard with an alien at the dance (6)
Baroque scherzo transposed final time (6)
I'm left with dance tune in three-four time.
Dance in mute abandonment (6)
+Herb embraced Sue after start of dance (6)
*A slow dance up in my own apartment, finally (6)
Invite unimaginative to provide backing for slow dance (6)
Some trite, unimaginative backstepping dance (6)
**Piece of Mozart - one dancing tune! (6)
Boston school holds nude Gallic dance for groups of couples (6)
Turn and point in brand-new Baroque dance (6)
BONUS CLUES:
Delicate footwork in mute dancing (6)
Tune I'm rearranging for a dance (6)

Word #2
Little note from a father inscribed around disk by soldier at
  ancient Chaldean city (12)
Note from news service about Republican foot soldier has articles describing
  boring job rotation (12)
Embellished note from dissonant air put pa agog! (12)
Short note from guitar -- go, Papa!
+Pair, up to a gag, counterfeited a higher and shorter note (12)
Cartoonist Al and Actor Robert lost their heads over a mate's 
  embellishment (12)
Suspension of one group at a pig assembly (12)
Ornamentation of gap - Rag utupia with syncopation (12)
*Note flourishing glow surrounding first-place goat/pig hybrid (12)
Note two articles contain mixed up part about today in Rome (12)
Musical embellishment wrung from a guitar = Ga. pop (12)
**An introductory note: I gape at a group wandering without direction (12)
BONUS CLUES:
Grace a very quiet Italian eyes at endless mountain chain (12)
Grace, note:  Papago guitar is cracked (12)








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Clues, explanations, and comments (preceded with "==>") follow:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter in Greek and Latin describes fashionable dance (6)

   dance = MINUET

   Letter in Greek = MU
   and Latin = ET (Latin for "and")
   fashionable = IN
   MU+ET "describes" IN = M(IN)UET
      ("Describe" in the sense of "to describe a circle")

==>  MW9 says "describe" (in the context of a circle) means "to trace
==>  or traverse the outline of".  Webster's Unabridged concurs, and 
==>  Chambers doesn't even list that definition.  As such, I think
==>  it's a weak indicator at best.  Otherwise, a decent clue with
==>  a good blending of concepts.
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It isn't Max you heard with an alien at the dance (6)

It isn't Max=MIN
you heard=U
(with an) alien=ET
(at the) dance=MINUET

==>  This clue makes me chuckle, which always helps.  Clever clueing
==>  of MIN, with a nicely integrated theme.  There are those who would
==>  balk at the partial homophone, but in this case I think it works
==>  fine.  Good job.  Honorable mention to Ed Coulson" <fyj@psu.edu>.
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Baroque scherzo transposed final time (6)

Baroque scherzo = definition
transposed final= reversal indicator (for last two letters)
time = MINUTE = MINU(ET)

Explanation: In the baroque period, a minuet and scherzo were virtually
the same thing. Subsequently, the tempo of a scherzo has gotten faster.

==>  It's not that I don't believe you, but... a) I can't seem to verify
==>  your claim, and b) I have to ask myself whether (even if is technically
==>  accurate) it is fair to expect the solver to know or be able to 
==>  determine this "fact".  By my sources, "scherzo" is a sprightly,
==>  humorous piece (or movement) in quick triple time.  In fact, "scherzo"
==>  is literally "joke" in Italian.  Somehow this doesn't seem consistent
==>  with the slower, more graceful minuet.  According to Chambers,
==>  the scherzo is "a lively busy movement in triple time...now
==>  generally taking the place of the minuet in a sonata or a
==>  symphony".  Also, I find "transposed final time", while clever
==>  in concept, to be a bit awkward in its cryptic grammar.
==>  Nice blending of themes into a clever surface reading.
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I'm left with dance tune in three-four time.

Across clue.
....MI..      ...NUET... ........defn.......    &lit.
...and yes, dance can be a transitive verb.

==>  Nice idea.  Unfortunately, it seems to require "tune" to serve
==>  double duty as the anagram fodder and as part of the definition.
==>  Just "in three-four time" is not enough to define "minuet".
==>  Also, don't forget the enumeration, and drop the final period.
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Dance in mute abandonment (6)

Type: Anagram

Dance       = definition
in mute     = anagram fodder
abandonment = anagram indicator

Surface: Shut up and dance...

==>  I don't like "abandonment" as an anagram indicator.  "Abandonment" is
==>  the act of leaving, stopping, or relinquishing control.  I can't find
==>  a way to make it an anagrammer.  Perhaps "abandon" (the noun), meaning
==>  uninhibitedness, exuberance, or careless freedom of action is more
==>  what you intended?
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Herb embraced Sue after start of dance (6)
  "Herb" = MINT
  "embraced" = container indicator
  " Sue after start" = UE
  MINT containing UE = MINUET
  "dance" = definition of MINUET

==>  I like it.  Very clever and very efficient.  Good use of Herb
==>  at the beginning to warrant capitalization, and a nice surface.
==>  Honorable mention to John Hakemian <sailorjohn@mindspring.com>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A slow dance up in my own apartment, finally (6)

             a slow dance      definition
             up                U (an elevator button, for example)
             my own            MINE
             apartment, finally  T
               MIN(U)E + T

==>  A tough, but not unfair, combination.  Surface is excellent,
==>  evoking strong imagery and history behind the situation.  
==>  Runner-up for Jake Bergmann <jbergmann@domaincorp.com>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invite unimaginative to provide backing for slow dance (6)

Reverse contaier clue, indicated by 'TO PROVIDE BACKING FOR' 
'inviTE UNIMaginative' - fodder
'slow dance' - definition

I actualy found several conflicting definitions for the word. This comes
from Longmans Dictionary (my e-dictionary)

minuet /minyoo'et/ n (music for or in the rhythm of) a slow graceful 
dance in 4 time [Fr menuet, fr obs Fr, tiny, delicate, fr OF, fr menu 
small, fr L minutus ] 

==>  I'm not crazy about the choice of reverse-container for a word that
==>  IMO had more interesting options, especially without a real knock-out
==>  surface to warrant it.  I'm not sure I would have figured out that
==>  "to provide backing for" was supposed to be a reverse-container 
==>  indicator, either.  I don't quite see the container part.  And
==>  on a surface note, why would one want someone unimaginative?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some trite, unimaginative backstepping dance (6)
     "some" = hidden-word indicator
     "triTE UNIMaginative" = phrase hiding the reversed word
     "backstepping" = reversal indicator
     "dance" = def.

==>  A bit awkward sounding.  Same comment as above regarding the choice
==>  of reverse-container, though the indicators here are more sound.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Piece of Mozart - one dancing tune! (6)

& lit
M = piece of mozart
one = I
dancing = anagram indicator
tune = fodder

==>  This is one of the best, most efficient &lit clues I've seen in these
==>  contests in quite some time!  Every word serves a purpose in the 
==>  cryptic, and the definition is (no pun intended) sound.  Also, the
==>  exclamation mark works well with the surface wording.  Excellent!
==>  Winning entry by Jean O'Conor <momjean7@aol.com>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston school holds nude Gallic dance for groups of couples (6)

	Boston school - MIT
	holds - container indicator
	nude Gallic - NUE
	dance for groups of couples - definition of MINUET

==>  When?  ;-)  :-)
==>  Good surface.  Quibblers might complain about the use of
==>  French, and the "local knowledge" aspect of the location of MIT
==>  (which is actually in Cambridge, not Boston proper).  Nice clue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
	Turn and point in brand-new Baroque dance (6)
	----     -----    --------- =============
        U   &    E   in   MINT       defn.

==>  Another good clue.  Solid and efficient.  Surface lacks some
==>  of the personality of several of the clues that I ranked
==>  higher.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONUS:
Delicate footwork in mute dancing (6)

     "delicate footwork" = def.
     "in mute" anagrammed = "minuet"
     "dancing" = anagram indicator

==>  Never having danced one, I can't vouch for its delicateness, but
==>  I don't doubt it.  Still, I wonder whether it's *really* a
==>  "definition" per se.  Decent anagram.  Is "mute dancing"...
==>  a) dancing with or by a mute;
==>  b) dancing without talking; or
==>  c) dancing with no sound?
==>  :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONUS:
Tune I'm rearranging for a dance (6)

Anagram of "Tune I'm"

==>  Very nice anagram with a smooth and meaningful surface.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
==>  Well, I trust no one will dispute that word #2 was harder to clue
==>  than word #1.  :-)  When dealing with a tough word like APPOGGIATURA
==>  I think one has to keep a close eye on solvability.  As such, clues
==>  that utilize unusually difficult combinations or indicators, while
==>  perhaps perfectly acceptable for a more common word, could easily
==>  turn "difficult" into "unfair".  With such a large amount of difficulty
==>  "built in" to the word itself, it is almost unnecessary (and perhaps
==>  imprudent) to be overly clever.  My comments reflect this thought,
==>  and should be taken in the context with which they are given (i.e.
==>  for this particular word); the same cryptic elements might be 

==>  perfectly valid if the word were not so esoteric.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Little note from a father inscribed around disk by soldier at
  ancient Chaldean city (12)

(Even the ancients wrote home to their kids . . .)

   Little note = APPOGGIATURA
   father = PA
   disk = POG
      A "pog" is a small cardboard or plastic disk, of the sort used
      on top of milk bottles; in the US (and elsewhere?) children
      collect them, and use them in tossing games.
   soldier = GI
   ancient Chaldean city = UR
   A + PA "inscribed around" POG + GI + AT + UR = AP(POGGIATUR)A

==>  Case in point.  Clever charade/container combination, but too much so
==>  IMO for the word given.  Also, the surface confuses me.  The note is
==>  from a father, but inscribed around a disk by a soldier?  I don't get 
==>  it.  Solid and accurate definition.  I think "inscribe", from a cryptic
==>  standpoint, should indicate the "containee" rather than the "container";
==>  in this context, "inscribe around" seems an oxymoron.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from news service about Republican foot soldier has articles describing
  boring job rotation (12)

Note= definition
news service=AP
about Republican=POG (reversal of GOP)
foot soldier=GI
articles= AA
describing=container indicator
boring job rotation=TUR (reversal of RUT)
=>AP/POG/GI/A(TUR)A 

==>  Wow.  A charade/container with two separate reversals.  Clever,
==>  but *very* difficult, I would think.  See first clue of word #1
==>  ("Letter in Greek...") for comments regarding use of "describing"
==>  as a container indicator; this is the second usage of this -- am 
==>  I wrong on this one?  The surface is a struggle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Embellished note from dissonant air put pa agog! (12)

Embellished note = definition
from = necessary superfluous pointer
dissonant = anagram indicator
air put pa agog = fodder

Explanation: There are two types of appoggiatura: the *short
appogiatura* (in Britain called a grace note) when written, has an
embellishment - a stroke drawn through the stem; the *long appogiatura*
lacks this feature. Both types of appoggiatura when played however are a
form of musical embellishment - a  note discordant (or dissonant) from
the basic harmony.

==>  Again, different rules apply.  Normally, such blatant anagram
==>  fodder "air put pa agog" would be the death of the clue; in this
==>  case, it's still no gimme.  Cute imagery, though I'd lose the '!'
==>  as the "putting pa agog" part has nothing to do with the definition
==>  (i.e. it's not an &lit).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short note from guitar -- go, Papa!

...simple anagram.
...I think of the 'go' here as encouragement - rather than
...'go away' which is what my offspring say when I play mine.

==>  I don't think "from" is sufficient to denote an anagram, and I'd
==>  lose the '!' as it's not an &lit.  (Don't forget the enumeration.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pair, up to a gag, counterfeited a higher and shorter note (12)

Type: Anagram

Pair up to a gag          = anagram fodder
counterfeited             = anagram indicator
a higher and shorter note = definition

Surface: A couple of jokers messed up their counterfeiting efforts

==>  A bit awkward in surface reading.  Interesting anagram.  Good
==>  choice of definition and indicators lending to the surface theme.
==>  Honorable mention to Frank Heys <frankheys@acslink.net.au>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cartoonist Al and Actor Robert lost their heads over a mate's 
   embellishment (12)

  "Cartoonist Al" = CAPP; "Actor Robert" = LOGGIA
  "lost their heads" = beheadment; i.e. APP and OGGIA
  "over" = reversal indicator
  "a" = A;  "mate" = RUT;  A+RUT reversed = TURA
  APP + OGGIA + TURA = embellishment, definition of APPOGGIATURA,
  a type of grace note in music.

==>  Interesting and clever charade.  Perhaps too much so.
==>  "Over" feels like it's in the wrong place, cryptically; as a
==>  transitive verb it means "to leap over", which doesn't work as
==>  a reversal indicator.  I think it needs to follow the fodder
==>  to really work.  Nice surface and very creative concept.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suspension of one group at a pig assembly (12)

             suspension        definition
             of                link word
             one               A
             groupatapig       fodder (though pigs prefer slops)
             assembly          anagram signal
               A + PPOGGIATURA

==>  A difficult (though I think accurate) definition.  Interesting
==>  surface.  A tough, tough solve!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ornamentation of gap - Rag utupia with syncopation (12)

Anagram - indicated by "with syncopation"
"gap rag utopia" - fodder
Ornamentation - this is the best way I can describe the various definitions
of "appoggiatura" from my limited musical understanding.

==>  The surface baffles me a bit.  I don't understand the anagram 
==>  indicator:  "syncopation" involves an off-rhythm based on shortening
==>  certain notes.  I am not seeing the transition to anagrams...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note flourishing glow surrounding first-place goat/pig hybrid (12)

     "note, flourishing" = def.
     "glow" = "aura"
     "surrounding" = containment indicator
     "first-place" = "p"
     "goat pig" anagrammed = "poggiat"
     "hybrid" = anagram indicator

==>  Cute surface.  Tough container/charade/partial anagram combination.  
==>  Runner-up for Brian C. Spollen <bcs@harriseda.com>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note two articles contain mixed up part about today in Rome (12)

Note = definition
two articles = A ---------A
contain = container indicator
mixed = anagram indicator
up part = fodder 
about = container indicator
today in Rome = oggi

==>  A nested container/partial anagram combination where a key portion
==>  comes from a not-too-common Latin word...a bit much for a word such
==>  as this, I think.  The surface meaning eludes me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Musical embellishment wrung from a guitar = Ga. pop (12)

	musical embellishment - definition of APPOGGIATURA
	wrung from - anagram indicator
	a guitar = Ga. pop - anagram fodder for APPOGGIATURA

==>  I assume the "Ga." refers to Georgia in the surface reading; as
==>  an abbreviation, it makes it a bit awkward.  A bit of a stretch
==>  for anagram fodder, but a clever idea in concept. (A vague 
==>  reference to R.E.M., perhaps?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
An introductory note: I gape at a group wandering without direction (12)

	AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE -- defn.
	I GAPE AT A GROUP    -- anagram fodder
	WANDERING            -- anagram indicator
	WITHOUT DIRECTION    -- removes 'E' from the fodder
	                        (clear, as no N, S, or W graces the fodder)

==>  Decent anagram/deletion.  The surface, while not unmeaningful, doesn't
==>  evoke (for me) a sense of belonging anywhere.  What is it an 
==>  introduction to?  Still, cryptically sound and solvable (IMO).  Nice
==>  use of the deletion to turn difficult fodder into a smoother, more
==>  meaningful phrase.  Winning entry for Clay Colwell <eris@bga.com>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONUS:
Grace a very quiet Italian eyes at endless mountain chain (12)

Long-winded charade

Grace - definition - an appoggiatura is a grace note
a                 - A
very quiet        - PP
Italian eyes      - OGGI - I make no excuse for including Italian
                         - given the word to be clued
at                - AT
endless...chain   - URA(L) - The Ural Mountains form the border
                           - between Europe and Asia

==>  I figured more people would use "grace" in their definitions.  This
==>  was the only "pure" charade submitted.  Surface is strained, but
==>  otherwise an okay clue.  I'll take your word that "oggi" is Italian
==>  for "eyes" since this is bonus clue...  :-)  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BONUS:
Grace, note:  Papago guitar is cracked (12)

	Grace, note: - definition of APPOGGIATURA (grace note)
	Papago guitar - anagram fodder for APPOGGIATURA
	is cracked - anagram indicator

==>  Is Papago a place?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------