...And andante is now a maestro! As some people (notably Bagpuss ) know all too well...

Classic FM has started an online dating service.

As if there aren't enough newspapers and radio stations doing this already! This seems to be a recent phenomenon and it's almost as if they are implying that being part of a couple is the done thing, and that if you're not, you're some sort of socially/emotionally retarded leper!

It's true though - if you were interested in that sort of service, it's not hard to flip through the classifieds or find a website is it? I'd have expected Classic FM to be an oasis away from all the fads!

You should hear some of the dating ads on the radio in France, they are quite amusing...

THe ones in the Telegraph are priceless. My eldest and I read them with great amusement. Especially the ones like, " Solvent, intelligent, incredibly handsome 60 year old in good working order with own teeth."

Go for it Bev !

Bloomin cheek It was the "own teeth" that made us laugh.
Don't need another one Fred, I have one already 10 years younger.

Hey, I posted that one . I though it best to underestimate my age a bit .

Did you get any answers?

I think it's more that many people do find it difficult to meet a partner with similar interests to their own. If you're happy being single, that's fine, but some are not!

Maybe in years gone by folk were content to wait for Mr or Miss Right to come along in time, but these days if someone wants something it has to be now, straightaway, today. I suspect most younger people still meet in the conventional way, but older ones seem to go for online dating as soon as they decide it's time to settle down.

A chap at our church was widowed about 10 years ago, stuck it for 18 months and then used a Christian online dating service to meet ladies of a similar age - he remarried within 3 years of being widowed and has so far been very happy with his new wife. Religion was the most important thing for him, but for some it may well be a shared passion for classical music.

I discovered once that pulling someone in the pub can generally be a bad idea... Being under the influence means you get no idea what the other person is really like and it can turn into a potential nightmare It's probably best to join a club of some sort or take up some activity you enjoy, I guess, where you'd meet similar-minded people *if* you really want to meet someone.

A couple of friends have tried internet dating and they came back with horror stories, but I suppose it must work from time to time like you mentioned above

I'm todays top poster

That makes me feel special

I'm in the top 10

Food is a drug.

Food is a necessary consolation after painting and decorating all day.

Do you believe in coincidences?

Funny that, neither do I.

I don't wish to answer that question, on the grounds that I might incriminate myself and you would tell Mrs Gerald .

Why is it impossible for the majority of concert pianists to play without making ridiculous facial expressions?

I'm very tired!

Did you see Stephen Hough play Tchaikovsky 3 at the Proms last Friday (BBC2 I think). He was the epitome of elegance and grace and not a bit of 'girning' in sight! Wonderful. He's a painter too.. and writer and composer... but I love his paintings.

http://www.stephenhough.com/biography.php

Well now she is one of my newest bestest friends, I may well do

I didn't see that one. The pianist playing Finzi tonight was pulling some amusing faces though.

I thought Stephen Hough was absolutely wonderful in the First Night of the Proms, lottie. You would never think he was anyone famous to look at him - he looks like a civil servant or an office worker - but he can't half play!

I liked the interviews they showed with him, particularly the one where he said his parents weren't musical at all, and just sent him to Mrs Somebody down the road when he clamoured for piano lessons. It gave me hope that ordinary English folk can still make it in music despite the influx of Far Eastern whizz kids.

Two friends of mine joined a dating agency - when they finally arranged to meet, they found out that they knew one another and had both been singing in the same choir every Tuesday night for over a year! They're now married with 3 children. I'm not sure whether to attribute that as a success or not for the dating agency...

My room looks like an explosion in sheet music factory.

(Note to self: tidy room in the morning before it gets worse!)

Not quite the same but I met a girl from a discussion group some years back and it was quite an uncomfortable experience for me She was slightly unhinged. Not something I would care to repeat. It's far too easy for people to lie or disguise their "quirks" online IMO.

You haven't met me yet.

Is that a warning?

You know I'm actually an axe-wielding physcopath in real life?

Be prepared for something like this

That is actually quite terrifying.

I thought you said you weren't coming, H_C

Im not
thats you

It can't be me, he's missing the axe and the forked tail.

h_c and Sarah?

"The bells!"

Sarah doesn't really play violin.

And in my cello case...


Don't say we didnt warn you Solari. Infact, just for that, im going to call you Lala.

Well I'll be getting some piano practice in later tonight...



Call me what you like, Helen

I know I don't, I attempt to play the fiddle

What a dreadful shirt

It looks like he fell into a blackberry bush after having a fight with a primary school art class!

They could at least have matched the patterns down the front.

The first bendy buses are withdrawn from London after tonight

Bring back the Routemaster. That's what I say.

I believe that is part of the plan...

Quite right too.

Heh, heh - got myself into today's top 10 posters. First time ever I should think!

It's gone 3 o'clock.... oh dear...

Time for bed me thinks.

Damn you Sarah! lol

yes...