And now for something completely different...

On a more positive note (and to change the subject), there was a lovely programme on Radio 4 this morning hosted by pianist and academic (and occasional Radio 3 presenter) David Owen Norris on the musical interests of the 'peasant poet' John Clare.

This episode, the first in a new series called The Playlist Series, had a fascinating subject, a likeable presenter, and three interesting (and interested) guests - and the music the presenter unearthed included a pleasant folksong, a delightfully smutty song and a particularly beautiful arrangement of another folksong as arranged by Clare himself in his late asylum years - a song with charms to sweeten anyone's solitude. I liked this latter piece so much I even tweeted him to ask him if it could be recorded. (Well, you can only ask.)

IN HILLY-WOOD

How sweet to be thus nestling deep in boughs,

Upon an ashen stoven pillowing me;

Faintly are heard the ploughmen at their ploughs,

But not an eye can find its way to see.

The sunbeams scarce molest me with a smile,

So thick the leafy armies gather round;

And where they do, the breeze blows cool the while,

Their leafy shadows dancing on the ground.

Full many a flower, too, wishing to be seen,

Perks up its head the hiding grass between.-

In mid-wood silence, thus, how sweet to be;

Where all the noises, that on peace intrude,

Come from the chittering cricket, bird, and bee,

Whose songs have charms to sweeten solitude.