Spectator # 2515

[Matakari]

Good evening, after a long break from this bizarre puzzle, I'm
back seeking answers with parsing for the following to help complete it. Many thanks in advance!

10(D) Close friend in tree
atop ladder (13, two
wds
??O?C??N?N???

28(A) Fiddlesticks producing
two notes (4) ?LA?

33(D) Variable composer
Charlie Orpiment? (6) : ?ARNEC

[ProfessorMaisie]

BOON COMPANION
BLAH
ZARNEC

[ProfessorMaisie]

BO is the tree, 'atop' = ON and a ladder can be a 'companion'.
B is the first note - LAH is the second.
Z like X+Y) is a maths 'variable' (+ ARNE the composer and C[harlie]).

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, parsing yourself, oneself, really does help with solving in general...!

[Matakari]

Many thanks, ProfessorMaisie !

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, what was 'bizarre' about the puzzle? I know you found it extremely tough, but it was relatively straightforward, theme-wise.