Crossword Genius

Firm opening of Magnificat — problem for Bach? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

composer

'for bach?' is the definition.
(bach is a kind of composer)

'firm opening of magnificat problem' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'opening of' says to take the initial letters.
'problem' becomes 'poser' (poser is a kind of problem).
The initial letter of 'magnificat' is 'm'.
'co'+'m'+'poser'='COMPOSER'

(Other definitions for composer that I've seen before include "he makes notes" , "A maker of music" , "Creative musician" , "Arnold, perhaps" , "Eg, Elgar" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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