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Daunting, then impossible, then it all started to fall into place.

Nice idea, well executed, although the ambiguity is a shame and the &lit clues are unfairly not indicated.

A particular challenge when I have only now had enough time to focus on it, but that's my problem, not something to lay at Mozart's door.

Thanks, Mozart.

I will look forward to the solution but decided at the outset that I didn’t have the time to cope with what is no doubt a masterpiece of construction.

Hi,all clues solved except for 25d,any nudges greatly appreciated, marvelous construction,thanks Mozart

Earmaniac, 25D is an A in B construction, with the (CE'd) definition being the last two words.

Hope that helps.

Thanks rhsi I had an e(for Spain) in in 35a

All done.

Thanks JBird54. 4d allowed me to fix 12a, after which I plodded my way through it. I can't say I enjoyed it - too much checking on websites and in the dictionary for my liking - though I appreciate the idea. As you say, 40a is a delightful clue.

Iratus, I'd worked out the principles of the grid, I just didn't have the right words to start with to fix anything. Your reminder about the y in 40a was timely, though.

As a relative newcomer to the Listener and this forum, there are a couple of abbreviations that puzzle me. What is &Lit and what does gwt stand for?

Mack, &lit means that the whole clue is both the wordplay and the definition, with the latter usually being rather loose.

GWIT means guess what I'm thinking. Used when the solver thinks that there is insufficient guidance in the rubric for an element of the endgame. For example, having to find and highlight a thematic word or phrase when the theme isn't clear. Not everyone agrees on claimed GWITs, but sometimes it's clear from the number of compaints that it is one!

Thanks, RHSL.

I am struggling to get a meaningful start to the grid layout. I have made a tentative start using some of the answers to clues containing CE's. I have entered 12 across on the second row, starting in the second column, followed by 13 across. I have entered 14 across on the third row, starting in column 1. I have entered 17 across on the fifth row, starting in column 1. I have entered 39 across on the bottom row, starting in column 3. I have entered 5 down at the top of column 7. I have entered 18 down in column 2, starting on the fifth row. I have entered 25 down at the bottom of the fourth column with 26 down next to it. If these are right, I will carry on, but if not, I will be tempted to throw the towel in. Would somebody be kind enough to let me know whether any or all of these assumptions are correct?