The organist librarian

Two nights where I have slept for 6 hours which is great! I returned from Chorus rehearsals and went straight to bed as I was knackered! Wednesday we did Verdi Te Deum and Carmina Burana (fun but rubbish music!) with Stefan Bevier from Berlin. Thursday Robert Dean worked on Dream of Gerontius. Interesting idea to get us to bow forward on high notes and loosen the body instead of tightening the diaphragm. Last night to choir practice and Vicky poppped in to say no evensong in May. There was a discussion again about the Sanctus and its length in relation to the Eucharistic prayer. The BCP settings must have Amen changed to "most high". There seems to be little liturgical understanding. The Amen should only come at the end of the prayer. Am enjoying Natasha Cooper's "A greater evil" - she is a friend (Daphne Wright) and her novels are excellent.Graeme has interesting blog on thin spaces. I know so many! Padrerob comments kindly about my blog. Yesterday was Graeme a...

Short swim, then left car for Liz to have when she returned from Ireland and got train to London Bridge and down to Sidcup for the funeral of Freddie Baldwin. Over 200 packed the lovely church. The music was provided by a competent pianist/organist. A great gathering of Catenians! Splendid eulogies and a fine family. Freddie and Milly were married for 63 years. He had 2 strokes and fought back from near death to regain speech and singing! He represented among others Christine Keeler. Such a happy friendly man! The priest remarked how he would say "Bonjour" at the kiss of peace to get you to smile! God bless him and his family. I returned to work and decided not to go to Provincial Council meeting in Sittingbourne as I would have been late for the installation! Liz returned home safely and there were yellow tulips to greet her. She brought me a lovely red tie and whiskey truffles!

After work drove to Holy Trinity Clapham which is a church I have often wanted to enter as it is connected with Wilberforce and the Clapham sect who we remember this year particularly. Dr Harry Bramma spoke and demonstrated on the splendid organ the art of registration by hand as opposed to piston. I do do this quite a bit and of course it is more authentic as Anthony le Fleming who plays at this splendid church commented. 34 lengths this morning and for once drove to work and no holdups at all!

The day began with a St George's Day broadcast from Windsor with lots of fine music by Sir William Harris. At Coulsdon we sang Darke in E and Ley's "Lo round the throne" which is an excellent anthem very well-crafted. Janice Cockcroft suggested going to Oaks Park on the way to Banstead for my picnic and I sat in the sun enjoying the blossom and flowers. Lovely wisteria and jasmine! The St George's Day parade went well and I played Jerusalem, land of hope and glory and Donald Cashmore's Processional march. On return home Martin from Woodside bereavement service came and we had a good chat about how busy I am and how I need to find a balance and enough rest and quality time with Liz! I spoke to Liz and Dennis on Skype and watched Diane Abbott learning to play the piano on TV. Also highlights of the London Marathon but could not spot Richard Nesbitt! He will be tired tonight - I have sponsored him!

At lunch time today went as I often do to enjoy Battersea Park. Today the RSPB were again mounting a chance to observe herons through powerful binoculars and telesopes. Also saw great crested grebe on their nest - never knew they were in the park! I asked about the family of cygnets from last year and it is likely they flew away. Swans mate for life and I am reminded all the time that Liz is in Ireland with Dennis. How I miss her! St Peter's choir made a welcome return at Mass and sang Byrd 5 part setting and anthems by Wood and Durufle. They have a very large choir including boys and girls and Fr Tim made them very welcome. Philip and I served so we did not have incense. Listened to Giulio Cesare from the Met on Radio 3.

On Wednesday back to Philharmonia Chorus after a gap since the Verdi Requiem to rehearse Beethoven's "Fidelio" at Hinde St Methodist church with Martin Merry of ENO. I was unable to sing at King's Cambridge as the concert fell on Easter Vigil but heard the excellent broadcast on Easter Monday (Light of Life and Sursum Corda by Elgar, Vaughan Williams 5 mystical songs). It is 28 years since the chorus first sang on stage in Fidelio in Orange. It was an amazing experience. Zubin Mehta conducted the Israel Philharmonic with Gundula Jamowitz and Jon Vickers. I have a video of the rehearsals with the chorus trying to march! The feeling of liberation was fantastic after being cooped under the stage in the heat. At one rehearsal we sang every verse of Ilkley Moor ba tat as we waited. Professionals would never have stood for it! At another both cameras ran out of film. Seeing the film of the performance 10 years later was sad as several friends had passed on. The coach had a ...

To my fourth tai chi class with Jeff or more correctly tai ji. He is an excellent instructor. Without him I don't think I would do the exercises. I am the only man in the class of elderly ladies and it is held in the heated lounge at the local old age home. It is a warm day so we do not overdo it! The park as lovely as ever and the wisteria is now in bloom. Home to find Liz at class for catechists. She goes away to Ireland for a week tomorrow and I know I will miss her! I read some of Alan Bennett's masterly "Untold stories" and wish I could write like he does. Dr Chris Hewer is offering a free course on "Understanding Islam" next January to March in the Hinsley Room so the interfaith networking group (once it gets off the g round)at the cathedral will enjoy that. He is based at St Ethelburga's centre in the City which I must visit.Padrerob has an excellent item about doubting Thomas on his blog. Find it here

I miss singing "Victimae paschali" again this year! In the morning we sing "O sons and daughters" arranged by Anthony Greening - Martin Baker memorably arranged this for the Vigil. Liz is cross because I ask her to sing at evensong and she has a dinner to prepare. I am worried because 2 sopranos say they may not be coming but in the end everyone is present and we are able to bring off big items like Stanford's Psalm 150, Stanford in C and "Blessed be the God and Father". Ellie sings the solo more confidently and with better breath control so she ought to pass her Bishop's Award this year. Twice today the wrong hymn number is announced but all is soon sorted! The Sanders responses based on the Dresden Amen from "Parsifal" work well. We sing a fine hymn by Timothy Dudley-Smith "Light of the minds that know him" to a haunting minor Welsh tune. Best of all there is a procession to "Hail thee festival day" - the congregatio...

Saturday to Moss Bros to be measured for the wedding tail coat. The assistant kept asking me my measurements - I thought the object of the exercise was for him to measure me! To Southwark cathedral for evensong at 4 p.m. Vickie was there and prayers were said for Zimbabwe. We remember Rose Gill from our congregation and the group with Bishop Nick Baines of Croydon who are in Zimbabwe at the moment. Rose took a lovely booklet about the church with her along with the tape and CD we had made. When we lived in Johannesburg, Mum, Dad, Ann and I had a wonderful holiday in Zimbabwe. The war was still going on so we saw soldiers at Victoria Falls. The flight over the falls must be the most thrilling experience of my travels all over the world - it truly is the flight of angels. The Victoria Falls hotel had all the old world charm and standards of the past. At Wankie the game warden knew exactly where to take us to see the wildlife. Dad remarked to him that he must phone the elephants to warn t...

I wonder how many people realise how much time and care is spent in choosing music for the liturgy. We work well in advance and I have today completed the May music list. It is a gloriously warm day for April and we are promised a hot summer. I have also written my annual report for the church. This is a rare Saturday with nothing booked - I don't have another one like it until July as I work alternate Saturdays. Last night we sat outside the pub and said farewell to Chioma. It was interesting to note how money seemed to be flowing to buy drinks all around us! I don't go to pubs that much and I am looking forward to the day when smoking is banned in them and throughout the rail network. This will come in July!

This group has a most useful website www.southlondoninterfaith.org.uk with details of forthcoming events and a discussion forum. I have been to one of their meetings at the South London liberal synagogue when the Rabbi explained Pentecost to us and the story of Ruth is particularly associated with that festival. The food was good too!

“Treasures of the Faiths” an Exhibition by the British Library Sacred: discover what we share The world's greatest collection of Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy books Forthcoming exhibition 27 April – 23 September 2007 Admission free Sacred. This groundbreaking exhibition brings together some of the world's most important and beautiful religious texts for the first time. Exquisite and rare examples of Jewish, Christian and Muslim sacred texts from the Library's collections will be presented alongside treasures on loan from other institutions in a unique and compelling modern context. Sacred marks the first time that sacred texts from these three faiths will have been displayed and explored together, side by side, in a major UK exhibition. This looks like an excellent exhibition. I saw something similar at the Ashmolean in Oxford and it was stunning!

I am so fortunate to have good people to talk to about my bereavement and today's discussion offered some practical ideas about my sleep patterns which have been awry recently. In the evening I went to the Queenstown Ward police neighbourhood panel in Battersea Park and there was much useful information. The proposed improvements to Somerfields car park were welcomed as an aid to improve security. The meeting went on rather long so I was late home. Took some photos in the park at lunchtime with the trees in blossom - very beautiful.

A picture of the water feature in our garden which we cleaned up this weekend! Today I went to Coulsdon to discuss a revision of my contract. I am to have 6 Sundays off which is a good idea because I need the rest! I went to St Michael's for the first of the new season of lunchtime organ recitals. Edward Batting played Elgar, Buxtehude, Bach and Reger very well but there was an overuse of the reeds which left my ears buzzing! How important it is in a recital to have variety of sounds. I saw him briefly and he said he did not know about Montepulciano this year.He played last year for the Faure and Mozart on the chorus trip. I popped into Waterstones and the new swish Wesley Owen Christian book shop. The new glass panels for the dining room tables came and we battled to get the new hose together. The picture shows Bruce with the table which is in 3 sections. The middle glass panel suddenly shattered last November and insurance have paid for 3 new panels. Liz went to a farewell for on...

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory! Here is how you matched up against all the levels: Level Score Purgatory (Repenting Believers) Very High Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) High Level 2 (Lustful) Low Level 3 (Gluttonous) Low Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) Very Low Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) Very Low Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) Very Low Level 7 (Violent) Moderate Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) Low Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) Very Low Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test I'm wondering where the violent came from - maybe I pressed the wrong button!

Graeme on myspace has sent a long email about my heading. Yes I am a Roman Catholic and have been since 1974 just before we got married. I was brought up as an Anglican but also played in the Presbyterian Church. I have always been ecumenically minded. I think it's a daily struggle to be a Christian so I'm not too keen on labels! I am sure that music has brought me to faith and I know that God works in my life. He guides me and keeps me safe even when I go astray. This year I have started to take a serious interest in Islam in order to be able to dialogue intelligently. I know something about Judaism but my education about other faiths is sadly lacking. The importance of dialogue cannot be denied in today's world. I do believe in a welcoming God and I don't think that Heaven is only for Catholics! There is so much in every one of the churches so why can't we share it more. The Presbyterians love the Bible and preach great sermons. The Anglicans have the best music e...

A glorious day and I spent some time in the garden cutting up the remains of branches of lilac which were cut down last year and hanging out the washing. Liz had somehow volunteered to operate the lift in the cathedral tower! About 60 people went up during the day to enjoy the views! I went to the RSCM 80th anniversary evensong at 5 p.m. at St Paul's cathedral. I was disappointed and I have written to the RSCM about it. There were insufficient copies of the hymn and no commemorative leaflet. I had never heard the Nicholson tune for the hymn before. The large choir was placed in the choir stalls with the result that the sound of the men was distant and muffled. Howells in G does not inspire. "I was glad" was grand and so was the Karg-Elert Nun Danket at the end (we had the latter at our wedding). There were 2 new anthems one by Professor John Harper but neither were announced. In the prayers the Royal Society (sic) of Church Music was mentioned but nothing was said about S...

The organist librarian: Happy Easter! http://revprs.blogspot.com Just discovered a superb singing of the Exultet on http://godzdogz.op.org Both these sites are favourites! Easter Sunday and the organist pulls out all the stops to catch that feeling of triumph! At Coulsdon we sang Haydn's little organ Mass St Johannis de Deo, This joyful Eastertide and the Celtic Alleluia! At the end I played Herbert Howells' Saraband for the morning of Easter. I see there is a Howells on My Space! Picked up Grandma and drove to Acton for lunch at Louise and Tom's - delicious belly of pork and chocolate pudding. Bruce joined us and Liz came straight from the cathedral where the choir sang the Vierne setting. Unusual for us to miss evensong or vespers but we were both tired out. Watched Aled Jones on TV learning to play the drums!

The Vigil at the cathedral was a truly wonderful service with 5 baptisms and lots of confirmations (lost count!). We moved in silence through the dark building to find the new fire blazing at the back tended by Mark dressed up as security for once. Liz and I were acolytes so had to pass the light from the Easter candle. My hand was shaking with excitement! How quickly the light spreads from candle to candle as we all share the good news! It was a surprise to find that we extinguished our candles for the 3 readings. Deacon Richard sang Exultet and Gospel superbly. When we went during the Gloria to light the altar candles, Liz tripped but she was OK. My taper went out and one of the candles was very reluctant to light being new! I ended up helping the youngsters to light nightlights. They thought the door to the gallery was locked so I got Simon Lloyd to check it. Never work with children! The choir was stunning in the Langlais setting - top Cs in the Sanctus from the boys. Palestrina Si...

Today the Church teases us! Being at work I read morning prayer at 7 a.m. I love the ancient homily about "Awake O sleeper" as Christ goes to raise Adam and Eve to life. The Westminster diocesan Lent booklet "A holy nation" is completed and it has been excellent. "The Road to Emmaus" continues until Monday in the company of Julian of Norwich who has been mentioned in homilies a lot recently! It is a glorious spring day with just a touch of coolness in Battersea Park. The blossom is coming out on the trees around the library showering the ground with white petals. Tonight we celebrate the greatest Feast of the Year, the Easter Vigil with baptisms and confirmations. It is a little sad they I am not playing the organ for this celebration any more but of course tomorrow I will be letting rip with full organ especially in "Saraband for the morning of Easter" by Herbert Howells. When we were choosing the digital organ for Our Lady of the Annunciation, ...

To 10am Morning prayer at the cathedral with magnificent singing from the choir (Anerio, Victoria, Gesualdo). Chat to Deacon Peter and he has commented about Palm Sunday. Invited him to dinner and thanks to him for this lovely image. Joined the Westminster procession led by members of the Passage and Sister Ellen Flynn to the Abbey and at the end met Janet Whiting the chair of Churches Together in Westminster, Lots of people took part. We sat in the front for the 3pm liturgy. The Cardinal gave a wonderful homily on how all are welcomed and accepted by the Church. The choir on stunning form (Bruckner, Victoria, Gesualdo, Casals). The servers led the veneration at the end. Picked up Micky and drove to Coulsdon. The St Luke Passion went really well and the recording is good although the tape recorder is showing signs of its age. About 30 in the congregation. Adrian did a great job at the organ and the augmented choir sounds excellent. All the soloists coped well and Karen's 2 arias ar...

Liz was at the 6 p.m. Mass at the cathedral and she broke up from school. I worked until 4.30 p.m. and got the train to Smitham so as to rehearse for an hour. We sang Darke in F and Byrd's Ave verum which went very well. During the stripping of the altar we sang Psalm 22 to plainchant and started the watch with Taize "Stay with me". I played part of Bairstow's Toccata-prelude on "Pange lingua" before the service. This is a tricky piece to bring off with many stop changes and in the event, there wasn't time to play it all. Hymns included "Soul of my Saviour", "An upper room" and Pange lingua (in English). Caroline drove me to the station where I missed the trian by seconds as it left early so I got buses home. Maybe I should have stayed at the altar of repose after all! I was home by 10.30 p.m.

A very busy but fulfilling day. I rehearsed the St Luke Passion with Adrian Adams. It was a beautiful day so I enjoyed the walk up to St John's with a pause at the spot where Mum and Dad's ashes are buried in the Calvary garden. Then to the Centre for Spirituality at the Cathedral for a day led by Fr Paul Fox from Chelmsford. He has worked with disabled children and now with prisoners. He spoke of how our sins can be recycled and transformed by God into something good. This is a powerful message and he spoke too of the humanity of Jesus. To deny this is to deny the Incarnation. I took the opportunity to make my confession - always a difficult thing to do! I made the Stations of the Cross using Fr Cormac Rigby's excellent booklet and I found a quote from Fr Gerard Hughes in this week's Tablet which matched Fr Paul's comments so well. The Lent group followed on with a passage from Philippians as we met for the last time and we welcomed 2 newcomers making a group of 7 ...

Another magnificent celebration at 12 noon today! The privilege of being at the centre of such an event which is so well planned is truly amazing and very humbling. Liz and I were consecration candles and I feel much more relaxed about doing this now. It was great to see so many people there and of course all the priests and seminarians including Edward. Deacon Richard read the gospel. The choir excelled in Elgar's "The spirit of the Lord" and Colin Mawby's "Ave verum" and a splendid Monteverdi setting. There were wonderful hymns "My song is love unknown" "O Godhead hid" and "The royal banners forward go". Note the white veil on the cross and the magnificent oils. More pictures on the Westminster diocesan site. Liz was able to stay for lunch but I had to return to work.

This wonderful book for Lent is published by the Bible Reading fellowship and is by Sister Helen Julian. St Anselm, the Wesleys, John Donne and now Julian of Norwich provide inpsiring commentaries on bible texts. Highly recommended! The title sold the book to me as Margaret and I did a meditation for the spirituality day on just this theme last Easter!

I somehow omitted to mention going to hear Sir Arthur Somervell's Passion on Saturday March 24 at the beautiful St Anne's church, Vauxhall. It would be best to draw a veil over the efforts of the choir especially the sopranos but the soloists were good and the fine organ was sensitively played. The organ was preserved by Bishops and it was good to meet Manuel, the resident organist and see the console beforehand. It is a Walker from 1911. It was a shame that "My song is love unknown" was interpolated as this fine Ireland tune rather showed up Somervell but the real shock was to sing "Praise to the holiest" to the Dykes tune at the end instead of the splendid soaring Somervell tune which is the one bit of the work I know! The organist was Christopher Cromar, the conductor Noel Charles and the soloists Melanie Lodge, William Molesworth and Tim Storey.

And so the greatest week of the year begins! We spent Saturday rehearsing for the Holy Week ceremonies at the cathedral. We began with an excellent talk by Father Slawomir aimed at the youngsters about the Triduum liturgy. After a shared lunch, Deacon Peter gave a fine talk about our role aimed more at the adults. See Peter Simpson's excellent blog http://revprs.blogspot.com for some fine stations of the Cross. There was quite a lot of waiting around and I felt that the day started too early and was too long for some people. Also there was a missed opportunity to go through some general aspects of our serving like processing, acting together on stands and sits, and clarification of some aspects. An obvious point is where to sit on the sanctuary. I find it much better to sit in the stalls as I can hear there and I am not on top of the heating ducts which can be like a sauna at times! The 6 p.m. Palm Sunday Mass is shown on the cathedral blog. See http://westminstercathedral.blogspot...