The organist librarian

It being half term the library was busy. Did The Tablet crossword in my lunch hour. To practice - no alto and bass singing down an octave like Paul Robeson! Covered all the music for June. Couple of thoughts - the scriptwriter of the TV Passion rather lost heart and went for a popular style and unbiblical approach no doubt to get a new angle. Why tinker with the great words already existing? The tensions between the disciples were well done and it was good that the story went on to Easter Day. Vickie mentioned some wanting livelier music - what did they mean? Gospel? The choir felt we had a good mix of old and new. It would be good to introduce some more Bernadette Farrell and revive some of the items Generations learnt.

Swam 34 lengths. It was a busy day it being half-term. Thank God Caroline is coming to replace Calix. To the Globe to get tickets for Lear in August. Tate Modern had an interesting photographic exhibition contrasting street scenes with portraits. Surprised Karsh of Ottawa was not represented. Some iconic images notably Oliver Goldblatt in Johannesburg. Walked along the Thames in the rain to the Festival Hall and found myself looking at people imagining photographing them! Free recital by Martin award winner Pei Sian Ng from Sydney - a very fine cellist playing Rachmaninov cello sonata with an excellent pianist Miyako Machida in a lovely blue dress. He was lovely to watch and the G minor made me feel sad remembering Mum and Dad and the prom concert of Rachmaninov Bells when they died. Across the bridge to Embankment and tube to Victoria for rehearsal of Saturday's ordination. We are acolytes so a bit of a waste of time!

Tuesday's swim was shorter as I was late getting up and took the car down as I needed it in the evening. To Catenian council meeting at Jim's new home in Sanderstead. A useful meeting. Wednesday had a lie-in and to Coulsdon to see Vickie. Hymns now chosen up to the end of August. To St Michael's for Riccardo Bonci's recital and Liz joined me there. he played transcriptions of Grieg, Dvorak, Vivaldi by Bach, Rossini. It was a fun programme apart from Liszt's Arcadelt Ave Maria which I thought was far too slow. The extraordinary piece from 19th century Italy based on Aida must have wowed them at Mass! We had a toasted sandwich and cappuccino at Marks and Liz got some lovely jewellery for her wedding outfit. To Allders and luggage shop looking at rucksacks and to Debenhams for china. We ended up at Ikea where we got 2 good rucksacks for £15 each, photo frames and artificial apple blossom for the library. Watched Julie Walters in "Filth; the Mary Whitehouse story...

I have been reading Desmond Morris's "The naked man; a study of the human body" and now I know why torch bearers are asked to stand with one hand on their chest with the torch in the other hand. It is an ancient Greek posture assumed by slaves awaiting their master's bidding. He says a lot about bowing and hand gestures too and even includes a photo of the Pope washing feet. Apparently our feet betray the most about our mood so keep an eye on the celebrant's feet! If he is tapping his foot or waving a foot he is wanting to leave or at least get on with things! I have even seen a celebrant tapping the altar with his fingers during the Sanctus waiting for the music to end! This is a really useful study if you are in a multinational congregation because the same gesture can mean opposite things to different nationalities! Had a quiet day - the weather was awful! Watched several episodes of BBC Young Musician of the year, spoke to Bruce, phoned 3 Catenians on the sic...

I very seldom remember dreams so I have dashed to the computer to record this one! I was to serve at an ordination but seem to have missed the rehearsal! I had my black cassock on and was following Fr Michael down a dark corridor when we suddenly confronted by a cardinal in pink. We all prostrated on the carpet because the cardinal was so terrifying and like a wolf. Next we were in Brentwood cathedral or at least a modern building downstairs crowding into a sacristy. I was given a long pink cassock with a hood and my immediate thought was do I wear the hood. More and more people crowded into a line in a room as the music started above us with me at the end. The cardinal turned to me and turned out to be friendly. There was a dash to put on the pink cassock over my black one and when we reached our places there was an elderly lady kneeling on her stool without any shoes on so I did the same but kept my shoes on! The lady then passed out from the heat so we all tried to help her. Next a ...

Fr Tim Finegan on his blog http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com has a translation of a blog from Rome. AGI) – Vatican City, 22 May – Benedict XVI gave communion this evening to the faithful who knelt in front of him, following the tradition, that is, not giving the consecrated particles into the hands but putting them directly into the mouth. Both ways are allowed in the present liturgical norms but this way underlines more greatly the meaning of the Eucharist as the renewed sacrifice of Jesus, while the other is more in line with the protestant conception which emphasises more the dimension of the meal. The Church of Papa Ratzinger is worried about the lack of respect for the Eucharist, evident from the ever increasing number of liturgical abuses which are committed in the course of celebrations. Recently, L’Osservatore Romano dedicated a whole page to this problem, giving space to a study of the theologian Inos Biffi, who denounced a crisis of faith in the mystery of “tr...

A rare Saturday off with nothing planned. Hoovered, washed kitchen floor and cleared up. Washed nets and cleaned windows. Louise came for lunch - nice meal but not so keen on ginger. Nice pudding with raspberries and a fine day. Garden looking lovely. To vespers and Mass and I was cantor. Lots of servers on for procession. It turned out to be a big sing. Oliver introduced me to David Grealy who is from Galway and is to be organ scholar from the autumn. The procession went well - I stayed at the mike and then joined the end in Morpeth Terrace for a short while. Some of the choirboys were leading the hymns. Liz was thurifer. Sunday to Coulsdon - only 3 in choir but they sang Taize Ubi caritas very well. It seems Kevin Shears did not rehearse the Rutter setting last Sunday so the tempi were too slow. Monica said she had missed me! I played Andrew Moore's voluntary on "Aurelia" dedicated to me, Vaughan Williams on "Hyfrodol" which has a splendid pedal part, and Coli...

Thursday and Friday course at Putney for health and safety reps. Quite interesting although one of the rooms was noisy and hot. I tried my hearing aids for one morning but they make my ears feel tired. Thursday to lunch at Wetherspoons pub The Railway in Putney - lamb mint burger and non-alcoholic lager for under £5. Pub has a small model railway at ceiling height. I found the jokey atmosphere of the dustmen, stonemason a bit trying. Health and safety is a serious matter and we were there to learn. The role play was interesting. To exhibition at the wellcome collection "From atoms to patterns; crystal structure designs from the 1951 Festival of Britian. To chorus and Edward Caswell rehearsing "Elijah". Terry Edwards was there - he is advising on new chorus master. Friday had a picnic at lunch time and read Arthur Wills's autobiography (which needs an editor). I met him once when I visited Ely cathedral in 1973. Friday to Lighthouse pub for farewell to Calix. Doris di...

Back to work and not many staff on. To Addington Palace golf club for circle May supper which was a better meal than in Manchester - roast beef, summer pudding. Sat with the Barretts and Del and Declan. Won sherry on the raffle. Tuesday a busy day and home in the evening. Supposed to do June music list but fell asleep. Spoke to Ann on Skype in Canada. Wednesday to Health and Safety Unison reps course in Putney. All men on course and a mixed bunch - stonemason, manager, dustman, security staff. Had a filled roll at Subway with Ian paramedic. To National Portrait gallery to see the blue stockings exhibition and the old shops photos. To National Gallery to see Alison Watt Phantom pictures - not that impressive. An excellent free concert in the central Hall by 2 Russian postgrad students from the Royal College of Music. Ilva Movchan violin and Anna Peletsis piano. The violinist very tall with lots of hair and like Nureyev. The Chopin Nocturne in C minor made me feel sad. Rachmaninov Musica...

Set off in good time to get tram only to find them all full and infrequent because of BUPA run in the city. Eventually got a taxi who came to wrong side of station and we walked the last bit with cases to reach Bridgewater Hall at 9.50 a.m. for the 10.30 a.m. Mass. Cardinal greeted us and we were mitre and crozier. Fr Mark O'Toole looked after us and Fr Simon was very helpful from St John's cathedral, Salford. Martin Barry directed the cathedral choir and Anthony Hunt played the organ. There was an excellent pianist and brass ensemble. Deacon Peter Tibke too. It was a fine mass and I had chance to thank Fr Timothy for his talk. Some nice Bob Hurd and Joncas and Martin's Spring Sanctus. Had coffee afterwards and rescued my case which was going on the van back to the cathedral with the vestments! Walked to coach station and 5 hours on an extra coach which did not stop at Marble Arch so got train from Victoria. Home at 7.30 p.m.

Up early to be at the conference in the Bridgewater Hall by 9.15 a.m. Grand President David Taylor spoke very well but the highlight was Fr Timothy Radcliffe. He spoke about friendship and marriage. He was an inspired choice. To the Manchester Art gallery which has interesting modern works and older items plus social history displays. To the John Rylands library which has a new entrance and fine collection of bibles and manuscripts and a special exhibition about Edward Carpenter. To Manchester cathedral for evensong well sung by mixed choir of boys and girls. Schutz Deutches Magnificat (in German) and Monteverdi Ave maris stella from the Vespers. The Schutz Nunc was less successful with a small group in the organ loft. Bach Piece d'orgue at the end immaculately played. Back to hotel to change into evening dress and short walk to Manchester United football ground. The museum very interesting and a guide in the magnificent 78,000 seater stadium. A good dinner with Province 7 brothers...

Set off Thursday on bus to Euston. On arrival there found that there was major signal failures and our train was cancelled. We got one one hour late and Laurence and Kate Jones were on it too. Got the metrolink (we had to pay for this) to Old Trafford and booked into Old Trafford Lodge. Liz had chosen this because of the dinner/dance at the football ground on Saturday and we were in an executive suite with a lovely view over the cricket ground! We took buses to Salford Cathedral for the centenary mass of Manchester No. 1 circle. We sat in front of the tabernacle behind the altar. Could not hear the bishop or readers well. The cathedral was pretty full. Martin Barry directed the choir who were placed at the side next to the unimpressive Makin organ which ahd speakers in the tower and around the building. Spoke to the organist afterwards and met several friends. We ate at Pizza Express in Piccadilly gardens before getting the bus back to the hotel. Friday Liz met up with Helen and went t...

To Norwood circle meeting. I had forgotten I was sick visitor so volunteered to do another month. David Barrett gave us a potted version of the beginnings of our circle. Tuesday to Friends of cathedral meeting with Dom Cuthbert Johnson retired abbot of Quarr. He spoke much about how the Benedictine rule can be used in ordinary life and of how the liturgy should reflect peace and quiet in our troubled world. The Kiss of peace should show respect for each person - he has little time for wild exuberant joy at services! Very Benedictine! Spoke to Ann on Skype in Canada! Today met with Vickie and planned music to end of July. To St Michael's for recital by Ilya Kudryavtsev from Russia. He played very well - Shostakovich, Alain, Reger and Durufle. Home for lunch and then to Hinsley Room for interfaith group. 8 came and we discussed "Love of neighbour". Interesting that Mark was at the previous meeting in the room which was for paid lay assistants in the diocese. Much enjoyed Al...

At Coulsdon we sang Come Holy Ghost by Attwood and Nicole did well. Prefaced it with the plainsong version. I played Alec Wyton and Eric Thiman on Veni creator. Straight to the cathedral for 12.15 p.m. confirmation by the Cardinal who was on good form although hard to hear from the congregation. Liz as catechist read the sequence. Nice party in hall including salmon, cake and green cakes! Served at vespers and choir sang Elgar "The spirit of the Lord" - organ much better than last night at Oxford. Oliver Brett played Durufle at recital and I cantored at Mass including the sequence. Liz had been on the terrace with the catechists! Fell asleep watching Wild China but awoke to watch Jonathan Dimbleby in Russia.

After much planning by email the great day dawned. Got Oxford tube at 8.05 a.m. To church of SS Edmund and Frideswide Greyfriars Hall and played small Darke organ and large one - not a comfortable console. Bought "Organs of Oxford" from John Brunsden. Bus into town to St Peter's College. Roger Allen pointed out the Croydon connections and Jonathan Lowe played Mendelssohn on the fine Willis. JL had conducted Don Giovanni in the chapel! To Balliol where Jonathan Turner showed us the Hall organ in need of repair and the chapel organ which is a Harrison. To Holywell music room where Katharine Pardee demonstrated the Donaldson organ of 1790. We all loved Wadham college chapel's Willis and I played some Willan on it. Katharine played Mendelssohn sonata no. 4 beautifully. Had fish and chips and bitter at King's Head with Chris Town and Peter. To St John's College chapel for the new Aubertin which was seriously out of tune! Martin Stokes welcomed us. To Lincoln colleg...

A whole week to catch up on! Tuesday to RSCM Southwark committee meeting at Adrian's. Nigel Groome was there and there was much discussion about events and syllabus. Wednesday to Spirituality day with Michael Dorey on the Blessed are the poor. A welcome opportunity to enjoy some quiet in the sunshine. I liked the meditation he gave us on the Eucharist and foot washing. I decided not to go to the Friends of the cathedral AGM and we watched "The Apprentice". Thursday to the last of the Cardinal's lectures and the Cardinal was on great form. Baroness Scotland chaired. I sat with Jennie Mitchener who gave me a lift home from West Norwood which was great. Friday to practice and we had a discussion about getting more members as Karen had produced a poster. We started work on the 3 part canticles. To Croydon PC for compline - "I will lift up my eyes" by Ernest Walker and Sumsion Nunc dimittis.Saw Tony Trent.

Some of the Vietnamese children who did a beautiful calm dance after communion. To cathedral for 11 a.m. Mass for migrants with the Cardinal, Bishop Thomas MacMahon of Brentwood and Bishop Pat (who used to be parish priest of South Norwood!). 47 ethnic chaplains. Saw Martin Foster and Bernadette Farrell. I was mitre and Liz was book and communion torch. Good choir from Trinity college and lovely dance by Vietnamese children after communion. Much discussion of Mgr Mark's departure. He really IS the cathedral so he will be much missed. Fr Christopher has taken over as administrator and Fr Swavek will be sub-administrator - he is not back from Spain. To Bow where we had a picnic. Bruce had made up a table on back patio and he used our hose and lance to clean the patio and threw out loads of rubbish. The kitchen looks great and had a pizza with Jack and Bianca in glorious sunshine. I watched DVDs of "Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix" and "40 year old virgin...

To work. Liz was supposed to be on sacristy duty but Grandma not well. I was thurifer at cope vespers. Nick flapped about at confirmation with Bishop John. Oliver had told me he was playing "Heut triumphiret" of Bach before the Alleluias. I was ready to go and be boat but Nick hared across and off they went despite me saying wait! Result Alleluias sung as Deacon reached the ambo! The bishop got the priests to lay their hands on the 19 candidates and he as always spoke well. Still it all went off O.K. Sunday we sang Praetorius Ascensiontide motet and Statham in D. I played Heut triumphiret. Watched programmes on medieval mind and Dan Cruickshank on architecture. Also "Am I normal?" on believers. Returned to Coulsdon for evensong at 5 p.m. 2 tenors David and Bob. Harwood in A flat, Hutchings God is gone up, Sanders responses. All went well and I played Willan on "Miles Lane", Mawby and Rawsthorne Festal trumpets. 2 great hymns "Christ triumphant" a...

To Vespers at 5 p.m. with combined choirs of the Abbey and cathedral.This was an invented first vespers for St Philip and St James with a lovely hymn setting by Praetorius. I was acolyte. Wonderful sound in Marenzio Magnificat and Bruckner Os justi. When the boys went for the high note in the Bruckner it was quite thrilling! Bach Toccata in C at the end. There was a good congregation too - Martin Ball was there. Liz could not make it as Grandma was ill. she had taken Bruce to Dorking (he came last night) and been to Bow to meet the plumber. After choir practice Vickie came for a meeting with the choir. I went up to Grandma's but we could not lift her so got the ambulance and Liz spent most of the night at King's. Got election results and spoke to Ann in Washington D.C.

Up early to swim at South Norwood pool as I had the old car, then to vote at the Polish club and got early train. My £2 coin got stuck in the machine at Selhurst and when I asked at the ticket office the manager opened the machine and handed me several coins! Ken Livingstone promising us over 60s 24 hour free travel but I voted for Paddick and the greens. Boris was elected and worse still one seat for the BNP. What is happening in this country? Massive swing to the Tories throughout the country no doubt not helped by the 10p tax mess-up and the high price of petrol and food. Bob Geldof came into the library to find where to vote! Halim got his autograph but did not alert me until too late. I was glad that the childrens library was not used for voting this time. Served at mass in the Lady chapel with the full choir singing Lobo. To Baroness Julia Neuberger's excellent lecture on volunteering. She chaired the government commission on this. She mentioned how silly it is that one CRB c...