Note that cmt wrote that she was sure it was 12 letters in the original language, so I'm not sure if any of my guesses is right. But I'm guessing it's got to be Holland.

How about Hungary = Magyarország
That's 12 letters.

Even though Holland seems to be the most likely one, I would assume most people refer the country to the Netherlands instead of Holland...

Hungary
Matyo + Kalocsa

Oh, I missed this one, because Wiki lists it as

Magyar Köztársaság

You're probably on to something. cmt likes to give clues involving Italy and Hungary -- well, she gave a clue on Hungary once (on coronation of Hungarian kings).

It's probably the right guess.

Wow, good job!

And Kalocsa fits her hint too, kind of -- the novel + "eau" (water) + "sa" (from salsa, I guess).

The toy must be yo-yo (so half a toy = "yo").

I guess I'll check in tomorrow. :-)

YK, you have it.

Cal + eau + cha (1/2 cha cha) = Kalocsa
Matt + yo (1/2 yo-yo) = Matyo

I've never been to Hungary, by the way. But I spent 4 years in the 60s in a town with a large Hungarian immigrant population, so I feel obligated to care a little about Hungarian things.

This famous chef, from (region: 6), has restaurants in US, Europe, & Asia. The highest concentrations of his restaurants are located in (city: 3 words: 3,4,4). He also created a brand of cooking sauces, named after his restaurants, which in turn is named after the first 4 letters of his last name.

Chef: 12
Region he was from: 6

(Jean-Georges) Vongerichten
from Alsace
NYC (New York City)

I know that's too easy for you, 111op. Have you been to any of his restaurants? I went to Vong (in NYC) several years ago and I wasn't that impressed. I was reading about his new restaurant, 66, designed by Meier. I guess it's a glorified chinese restaurant? I'm sure one can find similar food for a fraction of the price in Chinatown!

I went to Vong as well, about ten years ago, and I found it unremarkable also.

I ate at Jo Jo a few years ago for lunch. I thought that that was quite good.

I've read about 66 and Spice Garden (? the latest restaurant in the Meatpacking District), and my reaction is the same as yours. Some designer designed the waitstaff's uniform at 66 -- I forget who.

The new steakhouse at the Time Warner building doesn't have good reviews, or so I remember. I've not been.

I also haven't been to the flagship restaurant Jean Georges.

Clue: He (person 1, 2 words: 6 and 8 letters) made a reference recording of the (2 words, music genre: 5, 7) by (person 2: 8 letters) and traces his musical lineage to (person 3: 6 letters), who in turn is famous for being a student of (person 4: 8 letters) and teacher of (person 5: 5 letters).

Note that some of person 1-5 may be the same the person.

5th letter of 1st name of Person 1 = "a"

BTW, I read that Ferran Adria opened a new place in Madrid called Fast Good. Thought his name sounded familiar - and realized that you went to his restaurant last month (and used him as a clue).

Is this the burger place? It sounded interesting.

I forget how I found out about it though. But the complaint was that because of the crowds, the burgers arrived cold. Maybe it's less busy now.

The meal at the Casino was definitely very interesting and unique, even quite good.

Oops -- my fault. I always confuse these two people. Person 1's 1st name has five letters, not six, and the first letter is "a."

So now you've a hint -- there's a Person 6 with the same last name and six letters in the first (with 5th = "a"). This person is more contemporary and quite famous also, but you don't have to identify this person.

Another hint -- music genre = "piano sonatas."

Is anyone still alive? (I can't usually get these music ones, but Yk usually can.)

Ok, NYT just had an article on Person 3, which was why I used this clue.

Also a famous quote on Person 1 is one said to him by his teacher.

"You will never be a musician." (Something like this.)

Should be enough for Google now, I think.

3. Czerny
4. Beethoven
5. Liszt

cmt, why don't you take the next clue?

The pianist is Artur Schnabel. Sorry about the misquote. It makes no sense. The exact quote is "You'll never be a pianist. You'll be a musician."

For more, check out this page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artur_Schnabel

The reference set of the Beethoven piano sonatas came out in the 1930s. It's usually on the EMI label, but various labels (including Naxos) regularly put out the series as well -- I guess the copyright is only 50 years, but some labels are pirates.

For an interesting article on Czerny,
see

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/12/ar...ic/12czer.html

Yes, I'm still alive. Just had to work all weekend (like 36hrs out of 48hrs).

B - E - E - T - H - O - V - E - N

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9

Isn't that 9 letters? I thought of Beethoven initially (of course, it's 111op's favorite) but then realized the # of letters doesn't fit. I then looked up Schumann, Schubert, Sibelius... and gave up

The name Czerny gives me shudders... Reminds me of my childhood when I had to play his piano "practices".

cmt - are your pictures available yet?

111op - I tried to email you at the above address but hotmail says your address does not exist. ?