“the fish (schindleria praematurus)” yes

Simon Smith reflects on the recent news that mackerel stocks are in deep trouble, as yet another species is brought to the brink of collapse by greed and incompetent management by politicians

Musical: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry ...

Away from his day job as The National’s lugubrious frontman, MATT BERNINGER has reached back into his Ohio upbringing for a ruminative new solo record. But behind the childhood tales of gang fights, drowned train cars and Christmas tree farms lurks midlife melancholy. “I’m writing about trying to understand my own fear,” he tells Laura Barton

Works by Brahms, Schubert, Wolf et al Benjamin Appl (baritone), James Baillieu (piano) Alpha Classics ALPHA1131 79 mins Many listeners for whom the German lied is forever associated with Dietrich Fisc

THE last specks of rain of the previous night’s storm pattered against the widow of the drawing-room. Meryl Stewart sat at the keyboard of her baby grand, working her way through the piano arrangement

Their tiny little black eyes stared up at her as they lay motionless on the soft bed of shredded lettuce. ‘They’re looking at me, I don’t like it!’ Marion said, prodding one of the small, lifeless sea