Barany mixes music and chemistry in New York Times crossword

George Barany, professor of chemistry and classical music buff, commemorated Mozart's 250th birthday with a creative tribute—devising a Mozart-themed New York Times crossword puzzle that appeared in the Jan. 29 StarTribune and Pioneer Press.

Barany embarked on the project at the invitation of his friend Michael Shteyman, a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University and author of some 30 Times crossword puzzles. In consultation with Times puzzle editor Will Shortz, the two created a puzzle whose clues would even inform even the most knowledgeable and informed music fans and puzzle-doers. They even managed to include clues to some chemistry-related words.