The organist librarian

Watched comedy prom and enjoyed some of it. Reading text book and watched Seb Coe on finding ancestors. Took chorus score to Gill's and popped creditcard I found in hire car into hire office. Scott Farrell gave an excellent recital at Bormley Parish Church and was delighted to see me. He signed my Bach score and told me Rochester RSCM committee is disbanded! Bach, Jongen, Saint-Saens, Darke, David Liddle, Mendelssohn 3 - he told a lovely story of his teacher forgetting last movement and then finding the music and forgetting crescendo pedal was on! To pre-Prom talk with John Wilson and Ed Seckerson. The Prom was brilliant presenting film scores in the best possible way. Bought a programme which helped.

Bank Holiday Monday and sunshine. Watered garden. Been wodnering if I shall sing Elijah again. My score has memories of chorus contraltos Ethel Huntley, Gillian Bordeaux and Joan Price. BBV comedy prom on HDD brilliant hippopotamus song and concerto populaire.

Up early and checked Bromley catalogue and found scores I need! To 8 a.m. Mass at St MAry's - Fr David looking very old. At Coulsdon played Parry's Elegy which is inscribed "Happy brithday from Nellie 23.8.46" a month before I was born! Mum and Dad remembered in the prayers - 5 years! I also played Jerusalem and Boellmann and Nixon on Adoro Te. Hymns included To be a pilgrim and Father hear the prayer. Straight to Waterloo where I had a coffee and Louise and Ciarán arrived at 12.20. I mislaid my phone cover. To Royal Festival Hall where we watched Edward German's "Merry England" done by Ilford operatic (very dated), Asian dancing from Brent, Dagenham girl pipers (some of them not girls any more)and Punch and Judy. Excellent exhibiton about 1951 Festival of Britain and tea at collectors show. To the roof garden for Pimms and left them at the beach. On underground to RAH. Pre-prom talk on Elijah was disappointing but the performance was excellent. Large ch...

Listened to choral prom Britten Sacred and profane with score, Hildegard and Stevie Wishart Out of this world - very attractive. To pre-prom event Matthe Barley cellist choosing favourite books - Hesse, Joyce, Pasternak. I asked a question about whether he used literary ideas when teaching. He said to educate was to draw out not fill up! Most interesting and a great love for Russia. Tonhalle orchestra packed Prom - Freda and Ann chatty. Anders Hillborg not impressed. Mozart Piano concerto 27 with score and Eroica (my own score). David Zinman and Maria Joáo Pires pianist. Bus straight away and home by 10.30! Spaghetti western orchestra prom fun!

Lie-in as exhausted. Claire rang - car problems so got garage details for her. Maggie coming with curtains Tuesday. Watered garden. Checked no 3 and coffee at Josie's when I returned blow up bed. Installed new TV in dining room. Watched Antiques master and Spaghetti western orchestra prom. Looks like fun! 7 wonders of Buddhist world on BBC. Decided not to go to 3pm prom as Cadogan Hall only selling 150 day prom tickets at 10 a.m. so chances of getting one pretty low and wastes a lot of time so listening in instead.

To talk about Prince Albert with Kate Williams and Dan Cruickshank who is so enthusiatic about everything. I asked if Prince Albert would have liked the Albert memorial and was told he preferred practical things rather than memorials. BBCSO conducted by Bechkov Strauss Burleske and Mahler 6 with score. I found myself fighting sleep and the brass left a lot to be desired. Chatted to Charles and 2 men sitting next to me. Home by 11 p.m.

Swam 30 and saw Melvin. John Fulton will help him in Vancouver. Spoke to Liz and Ann on skype - Liz found her phone. Ciarán has throat infection and on antibiotics. To library but some scores have still not come from Ealing! To St Stephen Wallbrook despite the rain for recital by Richard Hobson of Grosvenor chapel, Mayfair. Mathias, Stanley, Bruhns, JSB, Sweelinck, Franck Pastorale and Dubois toccata. Enjoying The tiger's wife. Watched last episode of The Hour while I ate my burgers and veg and watermelon. Antiques Master on TV.

Got to hall early and went to pre-Prom talk about the programme for families and kids can bring instruments. Clarinet next to me was doing really well! Tuba, violin and flute from the youth orchestra played - excellent. Sir Colin Davis conducted Symphony by Stravinsky, Susan Graham sang Ravel Sherezade and Tchai 4 - all with scores. Brilliant playing and singing! Stayed on for the late night prom with Marc-Andre Hamelin playing Liszt - astonishing technique. Had score for Venezia e Napoli. Left at 11 home at 12 - tired! Seems Liz has lost her phone - spoke to her on Skype. Thursday to South London interfaith lunch. Catriona did an excellent resume about the riots which led to an interesting discussion. Nice eats including watermelon I took. Home and out again to be at talk about Handel. Glyndebourne Handel Rinaldo - stunning singing and playing. Alfredo had a score printed from the interent so I bought programme and we followed. He left after second act and gave me the score! He is fro...

Liz off to Ireland on train and ferry to sing at Christ Church and St Mary's cathedral with her godson Daniel Beach - staying with Ann Marie and returning Tuesday. House very quiet. Swam 24 and to St George's hospital. Saw Samantha audiologist and am to have new aids - one behind ear in left and with hearing loop. Have lost upper frequencies in both ears so cannot hear s and t so miss jokes if spoken fast. At least this will encourage me to wear the aids more. Picked up swim stuff and home in good time but man came to fit aerial extension at 2. Now have proper aerial connection in dining room so new TV can be installed. Caught up on Proms - Martinu flute sonata, Daphnis with score (end) University challenge. At hall in time for excellent intro with 3 LSO musicians violin, flute and trumpet. People asking after Liz and chatted to several people including Charles (long white beard) and choral conductor of deaf choir in Essen. Excellent concert Gergiev conducting Prokofiev 1 and 5...

Took Liz to Tescos to shop and swam 20. She was delayed - could have done a lot more. Melvin Lim is emigrating to Vancouver so emailed John Fulton with his email details. Professional cleaner came for 3 hours at a reduced rate so bathroom and floors all clean. Took everything out of downstairs toilet for the clean. Tai chi and Tony impressed at my progress. Painted above porch and 3 other small patches of orange - needs a second coat but looks great. Put flowers back in front and everything back into toilet - the wine cellar! A hot day so stripped off shirt in the end! Liz packing to go away so went on own to prom. Just too late for Kevin Volans talk but heard it on way home and unimpressed and his piano concerto No.3 was awful. Meistersinger overture with score, Liszt La Notte and Brahms 1 with my score - love the horns at the end. Stand in Danish conductor did well. Picnics going on in gallery - not that many there!

Great hymns at Coulsdon including O thou who camest and The church's one foundation. Had a chat about choirs with Ann and Jenny. Gary Seiling taking on CODA singers. Maybe we need a choir which does new repertoire? Mass at Purley with Fr Gregory - he changed 2 of the hymns on the board and we sang unaccompanied The Church's one foundation. Car to Selhurst and train back to East Croydon so I could have wine at lunch at Croydon Park Oscars with Liz and Dennis. Lovely food - beef and pork, chocolate cake and bread and butter pudding. To pre-Prom talk with members of Polyphony and London Sinfonia trombone and cello. The Britten variations on a theme of Frank Bridge beautifully played (score). The Colin Matthews No man's land a world premiere. Lovely singing from Ian Bostridge and standin baritone but diction not good. Mozart Requiem disappointing - group of soloists not a choir tenors and sops too loud, Basses excellent. Soprano solo too much vibrato. Stephen Layton has a great...

Liz to cathedral and I to pre-talk with Andrew Litton choosing his literary highlight - Shakespeare, Dickens, Pushkin and Train all read by Charles Dance in memorable style. A delightful discussion. Met a prommer who has been doing it since 1938 and a charming lady on the bus. Liz could not get in and went to meet Dennis. Surrounded by French and Germans. Piano concerto 2 and Symphony 4 with scores - Haitink and Emanuel Ax. Got 452 but 22.07 cancelled. Sunday woke early and listened to Britten chamber prom - Phantasy quartet with score - Nick Daniel on great form and Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge.

Woke early again. To Balham library in car to pick up scores and a whole load at BTP as well. The reading group was in the main library - Fiona explained insurance does not cover publin in staff room but we ended up in there for coffee any way. New staff on knew nothing about the group and only 2 copies of next month's book. Library a mess and poor displays. 7 came and interesting chat about "To kill a mockingbird". Traffic bad at Streatham Hill so via West Norwood. Ciarán loved Wendy house and water play and Thomas DVD. Louise cleverly worked out the tune at the piano for Thomas and wrote it down! Took the 3 of them to Fiona's at Purley Downs Road. Rain. Scaffolding down at last.

Thursday Prom featured a new double concerto by Thomas Larchner which proved to be quite delightful and listenable. Bruckner 5 (with score) well conducted by Ivan Volkov. Not a good audience. Another early wake up so no swim. Did some cleaning and tried to do some reading but hard to concentrate. Both of us still on edge and upset. Watched 3rd programme on Mohammed and Songs of Praise from Salisbury. Liz did some painting outside and man came about arial split. Did not leave in time for pre-Prom talk and a large queue. Chamber orchestra of Europe conducted by Haitink and Emmanuel Ax playing Brahms 1. Brahms Symphony 3. Beautiful playing. Adrian and Terence there. Stayed on for late Prom Brahms played by Angela Hewitt, Schumann and Brahms piano quartet no. 1 arranged by Schoenberg (followed with original score). Drunk woman on train wanted to know our names. Nice letter from Richard Harding and message from Steven Rose saying we will both be sorely missed.

Woke at 4 a.m. and looked up local choirs. I suppose it depends what we really want to do now. It's great to sing with an orchestra rather than the organ. A good chamber choir doing things like Bach Magnificat and the Passions would be good. We are not used to paying a subscription! I have a gut feeling that all this has happened for some other purpose yet to be revealed as is so often the case. Swam 34. Watched last programme on Impressionists but dropping off! To St Matthew's Westminster for Andrew Sampson's recital including Parry, Bohm, Durufle and his own arrangement of Parry's Lady Radnor suite which worked well. Liz to hospital for stitches out. Lovely letter from Rene thanking me which bucked me up no end.

Watched JKRowling tracing her French ancestors. Finished reading The hare with amber eyes by Edmund de Waal - a truly great book!

Took Ciarán to St. Mark's Road park where he enjoyed the water play and fell asleep after lunch. We had a look at 99 Oxford Gardens which has been splendidly restored. Had salad in St Helen's Road and bought farm and food wooden toys at toy shop there. Ciarán woke and cried so back to park where he loved the play area. I did 2 drawings for him - tractor and Thomas - what else! To Gandhi Hall for Liz to do her 2nd reaudition. I was chatting to Richard and what I heard she sang well but apparently Stefan expected top Cs which she can't do well as she is a second soprano and one note wrong in the sight reading. He appears to have intimidated her. She was very upset and Celia should have left us alone. We came home and did not listen to the Philharmonia's prom. So sad after 40 and 38 years of shared experiences and giving us so much affecting family and work colleagues. I sent letter of immediate resignation by email as I am not prepared to go on alone. St Cecilia is again ...

Tuesday swam 34. Ironing watching The Hour and found I had to put in hearing aids to hear it on my computer which is a tad worrying. Washing. Back roof has been completely done and looks great. Hoovered. To pre-Prom talk with clarinet, trumpet and trombone from Royal Philharmonic orchestra talking about the programme and working in such a busy orchestra. Sat with Martin Ball. Copland Fanfare, Bax Symphony No.2 with score, Barber Adagio for strings, Bartok Piano concerto 2 with score - amazing pianist, Prokofiev Symphony No.4 with a triumphant conclusion. 2 buses to acton and there in 30 minutes! Very good value 2 and half hours of music and a good attendance.

Woke at 4 a.m. but got back to sleep. Only swam 26 as slow lane was only 2 persons wide and some people were in the way! Spoke to Ann and Lynn's birthday today (71). To library and met Portuguese lady on bus and tai chi - did a new routine. Home for salmon lunch and then to Vickie's choosing up to November. An excellent Prom by the Marinsky theatre orchestra conducted by Gergiev. Swan Lake wonderful sound especially the brass.

Practised before service. I woke at 5 a.m. but got back to sleep eventually. Played Boyce Solemn March, Parry's Tranguilly and Darke from Little Parry book, Statham Divertimento on Monkland. Straight home and via underground to South Kensington as buses affected by cycle race. Choral workshop on Spring symphony by Anna Flanagan as lively as ever. Tenor next to me Ian Jones from ALlegri singers Bromley felt like me she could have covered more ground and not spent so much time getting bits right. The whole point is that we want to sing the music and get a feel for it. Tea outside at Victoria and Albert and had a look at the Jain manuscripts display. To PreProm talk about the concert and really enjoyed it. It was a repeat of a concert conducted by Britten himself in 1963. Purcell Chaconny (newly arranged by Jody Talbot in Hamilton Harty style!) Cantata misericordium with score - beautiful, compassionate, Sinfonia da Requiem (score) and Spring symphony (score). New torch makes a differ...

To West Norwood because of match. To M and S to get replacement umbrella - lost my nice grey handled one. Smoke vespers and Mass of the Assumption with Fr Archer. Filmed for programme about women in the church! Decided not to try to get into Prom late after last night. Listened on radio first halfhour of Tim Minchin was rubbish. Kit and the Widow were funny about Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sondheim and the concerto mixing several concertos brilliant humour. Singalong Nessun dorma and Hippopotamus song.

To B and Q to get more paint and ToppTiles for floor tiles for the porch. Watched Hungarian night from proms. Have been to 28 so far out of 39, listened to 8 more, 2 choral workshops and 5 pre-Prom talks and listened to some more of them - half way through the season. Only once have we not tried to get in and on no occasion so far have we not had seats! Really enjoyed them all apart from the dull Spanish night and the awful Simon Holt piece! Horrible histories and Human Planet were odd but interesting.

Rest of prom was a gorgeous Holst invocation for cello and orchestra and the Enigma (with score) very well played indeed. Woke in the night thinking about the funeral. Paul the roofing man did front bay roof. Practised piano and got to Selsdon early. The Jupiter symphony theme worked well and so did Laudate Dominum and Ave verum. Stravinsky Ave maria and Rachmaninov Bogoroditse. In fact all went well - Mozart and Ode to Joy at end. To crematorium and played Vierne and Holst Jupiter. Ian Verran was there! Nice eats in the hall and saw Rosemary and Maureen. Music was much appreciated. Had a little snooze on return home but this meant we left late and got to the hall at 6.45 by which time the gallery season entrance was closed. One look at the queue for the gallery was enough to send us back home and watch the film music Prom on BBC4! It does seem unfair that if you have paid for a season you can end up excluded although of course we did not wait and try. In future we must be early on pop...

Rained a bit. To Alresford station Watercress Line and on train to Ropley at 9.50. Ciarán at first startled by steam and whistles but gradually got happier. He loved the miniature railway and Sam arrived and we went on a diesel service to Alton where we had tea - we had had an enormous breakfast! Back to Ropley to go on Thomas's train, Duck and Diesel and have candy floss and the shop. At Alresford toys to play with and another nice shop. A great day out and everything had been thought of including the Fat controller! Easy drive home and cleaned and assembled the Fisher Price garden house for Ciarán - rood fits in middle bout not onto the side walls so will see how it goes! Listened to Prom on radio - Bridge overture Rebus, Brahms violin concerto arranged for piano - some of it worked well.

Phoned roof man Paul as he had not rung on Tuesday - said he had been very busy and would come Thursday unless rain. In fact it did rain so he put it off to Friday. Need front done before scaffolding comes down! Set off for Sandhurst and met Lou and Ciarán at Tri-lakes. He had an hour in play barn and loved the toy train and the animals. Nice picnic in the sunshine by the lake. I forgot a hat so caught the sun! Then drove to Alresford and the Bell Inn very nice indeed. ovely courtyard and comfortable rooms. Walked to playground and Ciarán enjoyed the slide and swings. I went to Alton to pick up Tom and listened to Prom on radio and used sat nav - turn at the rotary! Awful! Have now changed that to English man! A delicious dinner - cheese and watercress souffle , pork belly and strawberry meringue and port. Slept very well!

Tuesday swam 24 and back home as arial man supposed to be coming. That was postponed because of the problems from the civil unrest. A picture is emerging of trouble all over the capital and the country. Cleaned shelves in lounge and dining room and completed ironing. Liz's wrist healing well. Decided to go to the Prom any way as loads of police now on our streets. Where were they when Reeves corner burnt down? Protecting the Whitgift centre. Frank Bridge Enter Spring with score, Blow out, you bugles with Ben Johnson tenor. The Simon Holt new work was awful. Thomas Trotter played Dupre Cortege and Litanie and Saint-Saens 3 superbly (score for latter). The pre-Prom talk with Anthony Payne and Kate Kennedy about Bridge was fascinating. I asked a question about the power of publishers pre-war to prevent music being published - they were interested in sales then not now. Christopher Town, Martin Ball and John East there. Saw Francis Herbert the previous night. Eleanor also there. A love...

Woke late so no swim. Washing done and cleaned lounge and changed bed. To tai chi - Tony back and 7 there! Balance not so good this week. To Sanderstead to discuss David's funeral with Rene, John and Jill. A joyful event so different music needed. To the church at Selsdon to try organ which is a one manual with pedals and in reasonable tune - not been tuned by Martin Cross since 2009! I last played there for Marcel's first Mass in 2001. To St Andrew's to find Ode to Joy copy and some Mozart. David loved Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky and Shostakovich none of which cna be played on the organ but I did find a Stravinsky Ave Maria! Sandwich and to RAH for Prom by Stockholm Philharmonic Sibelius 6, Grieg piano concerto and Nielsen 4 all with scores. Pianist played Liszt La Campanella as encore. She was excellent. Worried by riots including burning of Reeves corner and West Croydon station - why must ask why? Edwina Currie is right - this immoral behaviour is destroying the...

To church having woken early and made picnics and sandwiches. Vickie asked me to stop practising before the service - this was at about 9.20 so I went down to the piano. This is the opposite of last summer when she said people enjoyed it! I played Boyce, Barber Adagio and Dad's march. We sang "Dear Lord and Father" just as we did at Mass last night. Picked up Liz and arrived at royal College of Music in good time for choral workshop on Klagende Lied with Anna ? who had some wierd warmups involving clapping. An interesting work and a good session. To Da Mario through a shower in Gloucester Road for delicious buffalo cheese, pizza Diana, prosecco and tartuffo. Debbie Miles-Johnston came in - she was singing in the concert. To RCM for talk on the work and the concert was great. Gardner conducting, Christian Tetzlaff played Brahms violin concerto. The 6 Westminster Abbey boys were heroes of the hour - had score for second part only. Watched Sugartown on return home.

Woke as normal and had breakfast and then fell asleep again. Had a wierd dream about giving an organ recital but having to practise and use the loo in the Catholic church next door which did not have a loo. I was worried about changing into the right trousers and then a procession arrived headed by an elderly cleric who greeted me and then the Cardinal put his hand on my shoulder and said "You're giving the recital next door aren't you?". Hoovered and finished the ironing watching 2 more episodes of "The Hour". Liz needs help dressing and I helped with the cooking too. Vespers and Mass with Fr Tim who is moving to Rickmansworth because of his left leg. He is 69. Cathedral singers of Australia from Sydney sang Brett McKern's setting and he conducted - nice to meet him. He has ACertCM medal. Palestrina Sicut cervus not that great. To second half of NYO prom - Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet conducted by Jurowski - stunning. LIz sat downstairs arm in sling. I go...

I cleaned bedroom and ironed. Liz to hospital for carpal tunnel op and all went well - she went to Josie's for the evening. I tried Wellington Arch but closed so toured Apsley House using English Heritage card. Some lovely paintings including Velasquez. To Serpentine gallery - interesting arta povera using cardboard paper rolls to make a labyrinth with mirrors and religious symbols like a Buddha statue. I did make a return visit to this exhibition and visited the Bedouin gallery as well. The pavilion is nice with lots of wild flowers. To RAH early and chatted to Beth and a pseud who has been promming since 1973 and was going home. To Royal College of Music talk about Mahler - Dr Christian was interesting on his lack of libido and guilt. He must have been hell to live with and Alma did not help at all. Met an interesting woman form Dunedin. The Mahler 2 was splendid and the conductor followed the score to the letter. Thought the National Youth choir needed more tenors and better ton...

Had a rest and watched The Hour. Did I mention an excellent programme on Sir Terence Rattigan which I watched? Took car up to RAH. Holloway concerto No 5 for orchestra premiere, Strauss 4 last songs and Brahms 2. Thought the soprano was not quite at ease on some higher notes. Donald Runnicles conducted. Enjoyed the Brahms very much. Stayed on for 10 p.m. prom by Tallis scholars of Vittoria with a Lobo encore. I slept soundly through last bit of requiem - it was beautiful but perhaps lacked Spanish passion? Met Bridget and Dave. Home by 12.15. My watch stopped but is now working again!

Liz went to hospital for preop assessment. The Prom was gorgeous. Elgar violin concerto with score played by Tasmin Little. There is sweet music. Percy Grainger and Strauss Till Eulenspiegel. Andrew Davis conducting BBC. Stayed on for late prom which was Grainger and folk music from Northumbria and was great fun, including smallpipes. Grainger's arrangements are quite extraordinary! Just missed a 70 and got to Acton at 12.30. Wednesday our 37th wedding anniversary - to Mass at Acton. Met Louise and Ciarán in park and he enjoyed waterplay. She took us for a lovely lunch at the Station House sea bream and she had lobster with Marlborough white wine. Delicious and a very hot day. Ciarán loved the paddling pool and playing being showered. To Prom BBC Scottish conducted by Donald Runnicles. Ravel and Debussy. The Dutilleux cello conerto a bit too dreamy and soft for the Proms? Lynn Harrell played a lovely Bach encore. Score for Prelude a l'apres, Bolero and part of Daphnis and Chlo...

Woke late so no swim. To library to pick up scores and took dress back to M & S - unfortunately seems I bought it on Liz's card so got a voucher for it. Liz liked the other size better. To tai chi and 4 turned up but no stand-in tutor so went home. She rang to apologise. More painting and nearly done - one bit above porch needs doing when scaffolding comes down but that will have to wait for new roofs on bay and extension - succulents growing up there! Drama - new young driver reversed into the Jazz smashing driver's wing. {arked outside house in a one way street! Got all his details and rang insurance. WIthin 2 hours I had a hired Renault Clio with satnav from Enterprise cars. Parked at Crystal Palace. To prom on my own. Beethoven 4, Saint-Saens piano concerto 5. Stephen Hough wore a fez for curtain call! Lovely quiet encore. Asian family near me talking! No idea how to behave. Lovely Liszt Dante symphony with score - hevenly ladies choir at the end from the gallery singi...