Combined with Bartóks natural tendency to mathematical abstraction, these influences led in the Twenties to a kind of fiercely dissonant "Cubist folk music". Salonen admits that when he was a young tough-minded Modernist it was these works that specially appealed to him. Now he views Bartók differently.

"I'm off for the next two months not working due to my doctor, with no future work or contracts," said Hamilton.

The bridge over the River Kwai where thousands of POW's died (Roy Letkey)

And once they weren't frightened of him, they ceased to worry about losing either. Instead, conservatives could indulge their internal ideological arguments and - in the case of some MPs - enjoy the easy life of Opposition, with its inconsequence and decent possibilities for outside earnings. Labour plucked the goose so gently that the well-off never noticed enough to worry. I remember one Tory frontbencher assuring me before the 2005 election that the problem with victory was that it would mean hard work. Lucky for him, Michael Howard didn't come close.

I fashioned my own Janacek button, So thank you Charles Mackerras, When the two prisoners are alone, The two sides battle until the goddess Diana appears. Visit our permissions page for further information. Copyright 2005 NPR.com.