saki101

As for tampering, there is an aesthetic that's associated with Western classical music that you don't try to alter a "great" work, although 1) people have done transcriptions and arrangements for centuries, and 2) that aesthetic itself is relatively new in Western classical music (even the idea of a canon great works is not something believed in for much of music history--people wanted new, fresh pieces). I can see SH happily ignoring the "no tampering" rule.

This is something that I always wonder about and cannot make up my mind firmly about. I could definitely see Sherlock thinking that his adaptation would be quite worthy, rules in general don't seem to deter him.

I had not recalled the remark to Sarah about playing the clarinet at school. It would make a nice story for John to retrieve a long-stored instrument and consider trying to revive an earlier facility with it. It didn't strike me that he could be really musical and not have an instrument or singing clearly in evidence, but sometimes circumstances do preclude developing a talent.

Next time I want to take a foray into the musical side of Sherlock, I may have to consult with you first. I know it is distressing to encounter something impossible or ridiculous in a story.