The organist librarian

Listened to prom featuring his music.

Unsurprisingly we woke later than expected and drove to Elmers End to get train to Lewisham. The signage there was nil so instead of getting the DLR to Greenwich we got a train to Blackheath and a bus then walked in the rain to the park where we went through security smoothly and got a buggy ride to the actual venue at 10 a.m. I have complained about Lewisham. The volunteers were again great and really enjoyed watching the dressage with the music. Storm came over so got wet again then it cleared up but windy. Decided not to visit Maritime Museum exhibition on the river and long walk to DLR Greenwich and to Lewisham and train back. Had lunch and then off to pre Prom talk with 3 members of the Berlin Phil all from Massachusetts! They were not very forthcoming but learnt a bit about the Ligeti. The Berlin Phil played superbly for Simon Rattle - Wagner, Sibelius 4, Debussy Jeux and Ravel. No encore! Packed. Chatted to June and Spanish lady. Liz fell asleep and missed the 20 minute deadline...

Tuesday to lunchtime concert at Grosvenor chapel. Martin Ball was there. Richard Hobson played Bruhns, Clerambault and Bach very well. Picnic in park and took family's photo. To Royal Academy to see lovely Impressionists and tea there.Lovely day. To the prom and the pre Prom talk with members of the orchestra of the Age of enlightenment - clarinet, flute and horn - interesting to hear about the instruments and Mozart's use of them. The opera was well staged so moved from seat to rail at times holding score. Superb singing. Liz missed the prom again. I went to Acton. Wednesday to Chiswick for some shopping and Ciarán enjoyed playing at Starbucks and in the sand at Ravenscourt Park. He was very good about leaving the playground and we then got caught in a downpour. Had lunch in the cafe as we were wet including ice cream. Dried off and to Stratford for the opening of the Paralympics. Fantastic atmosphere and huge stadium. The show was great - especially liked the dancers like th...

To Bromley to return some scores and attend Gary Sieling's recital at the parish church of Fantasias and Fugues by Parry, Bach and Liszt - very fine playing. He remarked that the programme was like Bank Holiday weather i.e. stormy and sunny. Stanley Vann encore. He also said that as the programme had spelt his name wrongly he reserved the right to play the notes in the wrong order! Ken Baker was there. After lunch I went to the Family prom. Why do people not remove noisy small children? The Delius was ruined by screaming kids, Falla, Dvorak, Rodrigo. Second half Proms family orchestra and chorus did really well and Blind Boys of Alabama sang gospel with audience clapping along.Northern Sinfonia played well. To pre Prom discussion on lyric writing with Don Black - Clive James did not show so a charming singer stepped in called Barbara. The Broadway prom with John Wilson was terrific including Rodgers, Kern, Porter, Gershwin and Bernstein. We left before the last number. I told a man...

Listened to proms recordings Delius violin concerto with score played by Tasmin Little and Nielsen 5. To pre Prom talk with Dutch violinist, English flautist and French cellist both studying at the Royal Academy. The audition for the orchestra is daunting playing to a camera! They re audition every year. The Prom was conducted by Daniele Gatti who came up to the gallery to be interviewed for TV. Superb strings Wagner, Berg violin concerto with a lovely encore (Bach) Strauss and Ravel and Wagner encore.

At vespers and served at Mass with Fr Michael Archer. Intern Michael and organist Matthew finish next weekend - both have been excellent. To prom - not many there! Goehr, Knussen, new work by Helen Grime Night songs, lovely Debussy Martyrdom of St Sebastian. Home by 11. Sunday to St Andrew's and played Vaughan Williams, Dad's suite (his anniversary), Finlandia for Liz's Dad's anniversary and Vierne. Someone had left last week's service booklet and the clapping Gloria ready and in a moment of  confusion started that but Vickie said it's the Rutter which I had ready any way! Nice to see folk again. The choir room has been repainted and rearranged and the Great stops now all work! Interesting presumably all done for Jo Richards who will be appointed in September. Gave Vickie Music and liturgy and jokes to Jill. Delivered baby stuff to Patricia Allen in Caterham to take to Chardie's. Neil Armstrong died - a very brave man. A lot of fuss over Prince Harry naked p...

Unpacked. Listened to Delius Eventyr with score and first movement of Nielsen 5 then Bruce and AnnMarie. Watched episode 1 of Parade's End.

Packed up and got away at 10 a.m. It really has been a success! Arrived at Bluebell railway in good time for the 12 noon train. Ciarán was alarmed by the steam noise from the engine but eventually got on the train and covered his ears. He was very happy chatting to 2 boys in our compartment. The Punch and Judy was full so we went to look at the carriage works and got the next train back and visited the shop which he finds confusing. He ended up with a Cranky crane book and we got him a tunnel for his track and some Peter railway books. Lemon curd for us and chutney for Lou and Tom. Liz bought a London 2012 bus. Drove to Acton and arrived around 4 ish. 180 miles all round. He was delighted to see Mummy and Daddy and loved his new bed. Lou has got lovely toy storage in the dining room and his room looks great. Liz stayed and I went to the Prom - plenty of seats in gallery. Peter Grimes conducted by Edward Gardner and semi staged. I got sandwiches which were nice but overpriced! Charles g...

It is apparently cheaper to pay cash for the room so we found an ATM at Tescos. We ate at the Marine and Ciaran had remembered our visit on Monday and duly got another elephant full of ice cream. I had delciious steak and ale pudding and Eton mess. Ciarán finally dropped off! I packed up.

Another glorious day and we drove to Drusilla's. Ciarán spotted the Thomas sign but we did look at the monkeys and penguins then headed for the train! He loved the adventure playground and went up high eventually reappearing! Then to the water play. He fell asleep after that and we returned to the hotel for tea and a rest!

After another good breakfast we went down to the nearby beach and Ciarán happily went in the sea with us - it's quite shallow and sandy whereas the beach is shingle. Apparently he would not go in in Portugal! We had a lovely walk along the fornt but he did not drop off so went to Fort Fun with water slides, bumper boats, sand diggers, train, teacups ride and soft play. He fell asleep in the car so got pizza and ice cream and he watched Gruffalo and Gruffalo's child, chatted to Mummy and happily went to sleep exhausted. We watched Escape to the country and Who do you think you are.

A very good breakfast and went to Tescos and then the model steam railway. Had numerous rides and enjoyed several model layouts and a pipe organ. Good playgrounds, cafe and shop and Ciarán did not want to leave. He slept in the car while we drove to Birling Gap via Beachy Head - a lovely day. Played on the shingle beach and ate cod and chips at Harry Ramsden's with excellent Viceroy pale ale. Watched Great British bake off.

Monday Ciarán and Louise here and we packed up for the holiday in Eastbourne. Liz and I served at John Beer's funeral at St Mary's West Croydon with Canon Collins who is looking old. Good to see so many Addiscombe folk again. Simon played and choir of St Etheldreda's. It was a lovely funeral with a wicker coffin beautifully decorated. Louise brought the car down and we set off and had a picnic spot. Hotel Reymar is fine with parking and adjoining rooms. Had a nice walk to the pier and ate at the Marine with lovely food. Ciarán dropped off about 9.30 p.m. Good breakfast. Woke in nght and finished Julian Barnes The Sense of an ending which was recommended by Edward Gardner - a fine book which makes you think!

Took car to Victoria. Another very hot night. Delivered clothes to the Passage and got tube to Bow. Nice coffee in the house with Father Michael who it turns out has not been to the opera for years! James is also going to seminary so another one to pray for! I played Ralph Vaughan Williams and all went so much better. Deidre was there this week. Picked up car and drove to Acton to collect Louise and Ciarán. Songs of Praise with Simon Lole playing the piano. Nice dinner with wine. Listened to quite a lot of Yeomen of the Guard from the Proms.

Listened to Prom of Goehr and Knussen but not very inspiring. Visited the new memorial to Bomber command - rather a fine sculpture. Of course there is debate about what they did but surely it is right to remember their sacrifice. A glorious day. Pre prom discussion with Christine Rice about her literary choices. Bryson, Galsworthy, David Walliams. The Foulks provoked interesting comments about balancing motherhood and career. She will be singing in The Minotaur at Covent Garden which we are going to see. The prom was brilliant and Liz got in OK. Weber, Mahler beautifully sing by Alice Coote and Tchaikovsky's Manfred. LPO conducted superbly by Jurowski. Watched Sao Paolo SO TVcast including second encore.

Listened to Prom of Goehr and Knussen but not very inspiring. Visited the new memorial to Bomber command - rather a fine sculpture. Of course there is debate about what they did but surely it is right to remember their sacrifice. A glorious day. Pre prom discussion with Christine Rice about her literary choices. Bryson, Galsworthy, David Walliams. The Foulks provoked interesting comments about balancing motherhood and career. She will be singing in The Minotaur at Covent Garden which we are going to see. The prom was brilliant and Liz got in OK. Weber, Mahler beautifully sing by Alice Coote and Tchaikovsky's Manfred. LPO conducted superbly by Jurowski. Watched Sao Paolo SO TVcast including second encore.

Listened to Prom of Goehr and Knussen but not very inspiring. Visited the new memorial to Bomber command - rather a fine sculpture. Of course there is debate about what they did but surely it is right to remember their sacrifice. A glorious day. Pre prom discussion with Christine Rice about her literary choices. Bryson, Galsworthy, David Walliams. The Foulks provoked interesting comments about balancing motherhood and career. She will be singing in The Minotaur at Covent Garden which we are going to see. The prom was brilliant and Liz got in OK. Weber, Mahler beautifully sing by Alice Coote and Tchaikovsky's Manfred. LPO conducted superbly by Jurowski. Watched Sao Paolo SO TVcast including second encore.

I was very sad to hear from John East of the passing of Deane Yates. Here are a few memories of him. He had a most commanding presence especially at assemblies and he had a clear vision that God had chosen him to run the school. He would see me walking to school from Yeoville but sadly I did not find him approachable. “At homes” were excruciating. Conversation would turn to the dogs or where I lived. In later years my Dad would give Monsieur Le Grand a lift to school and I remember this being remarked upon and appreciated. However at least we learnt how to make polite conversation about nothing! I suppose I had never really had a conversation with him until I was due to leave and we were each summoned to Blogs’s office. “A first class matric but how good will it be? We need teachers – good – that’s what we need!” I knew perfectly well that I would never be a teacher but I went along with it. In fact I have enjoyed teaching amateurs to sing and read music so maybe he was...

Saturday woke in the night and went back to sleep after breakfast! Finished reading Music and liturgy - good article on Crucifixions by Helen. Listened to Debussy cello sonata and Brahms trio 3 from the proms with scores. Chat to Bruce who is moving to Glyn Close next week.

Watered the garden and cleaned the plastic car we got from David next door. It was hot. Got the water feature going again. Watched Howard's End.  Had a nice meal including mackerel. To pre prom talk on John Cage. Ivor Hewett had fun getting us to make noises including with paper cups. Apparently Cage's notation can be read in numerous ways so how can it be said that his music is precise? The music walk went well. I had to take the laptop and we could not load it onto the Ipod. The headphones came apart and the hearing aids had to come out. It was great to see the Albert Hall loading bay and Imperial College. Bruce would have liked the piece in the bike park. David Sawer's piece was accompanied by amusing play with body parts! Judith Weir's What's in the Lake? was the best at the Serpentine gallery pavilion was the best and I told her so.She said how quiet it was as we listened on headphones and watched the model of the Albert Hall being pulled across the water a...

Rose popped in for tea and Liz decided to go to IKEA and miss the concert which was televised. RVW symphonies 4, 5 and 6 - an amazing contrast of English beauty between 2 striving clashing even violent works BBCSO with Andrew Manze conducting. A very good audience - John East was amazed! At the pre Prom Anthony Payne rightly commented that we should perform music written for our own times as so much repertoire is now recorded for posterity. He said it was wrong to pin period applications to the music.

Woke at 6 and then at 8 a.m. Revd Deborah Matthews rang from St Paul's Clapham so going to play/audition on October 14th! Checked on Prom recordings and SSG forum - sounded off about yesterday's Mass. Listened to 3 choirbook items from recent evensongs - Jackson, Osborne and Skempton.

To pre prom intro to the concert with Rachel Leach and RPO members plus lots of youngsters from RCM and others. RPO conducted by Charles Dutoit Delius Paris, Saint-Saens 2 played by Benjamin Grosvenor (now 20) and Tchaik 5. Liz missed it as she took her computer to Westfield about the battery - problem not solved. Had an ice cream when I got to Acton. Wed Assumption to mass at Acton. Priest adding to the canon, prayers before the Creed! A singer and organ in awful Victorian hymns to Mary including at communion. How one loves the Irish - they can be so stupid about liturgy. Come dine with me. It was a bit wet but we did take Ciarán for an ice cream and a kick around in the park. To pre prom discussion with Marin Alsop, director of Sao Paolo orchestra and Cathy Graham head of music at British council. 61% of audience in Sao Paolo do not pay and 100,000 children go to the concert hall each year with proper preparation. I did not get a reply to how many go in London - I suspect only the po...

Swam 30. To Morden library to get score of Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 5 still no sign of No. 4 anywhere! Watched RVW Fantasia on recording with score and the rest of the Ivor Novello prom. Liz cut my hair. Come dine with me was hilarious.

Swam 30. To Bromley library to get scores - no sign of the Vaughan Williams symphony No. 4 there or at Wandsworth libraries! Feeling withdrawal now Olympics are over! Roll on the paras! We have £250 worth of tickets and Dennis now has ticket for the closing ceremony as well. He enjoyed the women's volleyball final. Changed to a scart connection on lounge TV and solved the lines on the screen problem at last! Pre prom discussion with Olga Neuwirth told us little -  she obsessed about memory and the brain it seems. The 2 pieces we heard were really odd. 2 out of tune violins and a wooden box which cost £75 to hire. Piano, flute, viola and cello and so much banging and scraping the cellist lost his bow at one point. Scottish bassoonist who proms made his page turner debut on Radio 3. Hoffnung would have sent it up. The end of the piece Marsyas about the artist dying in water was quite pleasant. But at the concert we suffered a viola concerto which was tuneless, no rhythm, just banging...

To Bow to play for 11.30 a.m. Mass. Ross has been helping there for 6 weeks and is going to seminary in a year's time! Organ small but nice so played from Elijah to match the first reading. The small choir were pretty bad - not singing right notes, not in time, adding harmonies to plainchant! Guitarist seemed competent. Was given wrong number for Alleluia! They launched into an extra hymn after communion which was not needed. Oh well offer it up! Nice to see Fr Michael again. The reader was useless. Had a bacon roll in the hall watching Olympics. Visited Bow church and had excellent homemade food at new Nunnery cafe. To prom of National Youth wind orchestra and National Youth brass band. Super Crown Imperial with organ. Virtuosic playing. To pre Prom talk on Schoenberg with BBC singer (why a soprano?) trumpet and cello. Liz came home to watch closing ceremony with Dennis - I saw Eric Idle to the end. Gurrelieder - excellent soloists and choirs did well although I would have loved ...

To Bow to play for 11.30 a.m. Mass. Ross has been helping there for 6 weeks and is going to seminary in a year's time! Organ small but nice so played from Elijah to match the first reading. The small choir were pretty bad - not singing right notes, not in time, adding harmonies to plainchant! Guitarist seemed competent. Was given wrong number for Alleluia! They launched into an extra hymn after communion which was not needed. Oh well offer it up! Nice to see Fr Michael again. The reader was useless. Had a bacon roll in the hall watching Olympics. Visited Bow church and had excellent homemade food at new Nunnery cafe. To prom of National Youth wind orchestra and National Youth brass band. Super Crown Imperial with organ. Virtuosic playing. To pre Prom talk on Schoenberg with BBC singer (why a soprano?) trumpet and cello. Liz came home to watch closing ceremony with Dennis - I saw Eric Idle to the end. Gurrelieder - excellent soloists and choirs did well although I would have loved ...

To Bow to play for 11.30 a.m. Mass. Ross has been helping there for 6 weeks and is going to seminary in a year's time! Organ small but nice so played from Elijah to match the first reading. The small choir were pretty bad - not singing right notes, not in time, adding harmonies to plainchant! Guitarist seemed competent. Was given wrong number for Alleluia! They launched into an extra hymn after communion which was not needed. Oh well offer it up! Nice to see Fr Michael again. The reader was useless. Had a bacon roll in the hall watching Olympics. Visited Bow church and had excellent homemade food at new Nunnery cafe. To prom of National Youth wind orchestra and National Youth brass band. Super Crown Imperial with organ. Virtuosic playing. To pre Prom talk on Schoenberg with BBC singer (why a soprano?) trumpet and cello. Liz came home to watch closing ceremony with Dennis - I saw Eric Idle to the end. Gurrelieder - excellent soloists and choirs did well although I would have loved ...

Watching Olympics BMX, diving, athletics, hockey, amazing men's walk. Dennis dropped in - he was going to women's volleyball final.  To pre Prom talk with 3 members of BBC National orchestra of Wales and it was revealed that the offstage brass were to be on the stage which brought outrage from the large audience. I asked a question about the delay for the brass. TV screens could have been used but the conductor claimed ensemble would be better. More likely the BBC wanted to sell more seats! The performance was disappointing with a poor first entry from the sopranos and chorus anticipating the beat. So much brass on stage meant we were blasted and the choirs sang too loudly. Toby Spence just about managed although it was touch and go. 10 timpanists. Fischer's beat was small. The whole thing left me unmoved. Met Martin Ball and Chris Dobb.

To Balham library for a bumper load of scores! Watched a bit more Olympics (amazing men's open water swim in the Serpentine) and Come dine with me. To pre Prom talk with Matthew Rowe and 4 BBC singers on the Elgar. A superb Prom of The Apostles. Sir Mark Elder conducting Halle forces. Great soloists including Alice Coote, Rebecca Evans and Paul Groves.

Chuffed to get 2 face book messages from James MacMillan!

Thursday swam 23. Watched women's open water swimming in the Serpentine - amazing stamina. To the Russian display in Kensington Gardens about the winter olympics. 20 minute wait and no explanation - just like St Petersburg! Turns out a guide tells a group of about 30 about the films on Russia, the sponsors, transport, modern developments and a rather good 4D film about winter sports. Sochi looks like a great place on the Black Sea but with mountains nearby. The African village is closed and the park looks occupied. To the pre Prom about Per Norgard who is 80 and unable to travel so Ivor Hewitt spoke about his music and we heard a string quartet and Dances from Jupiter for 4 saxophones based on actual sounds from the planet! It was interesting and even amusing. The prom was great BBC Phil 2 Sibelius symphonies 3 and 6, Grieg piano concerto with Steven Osborne, Delius Cynara with Roderick Williams, The Norgard symphony wasn't that exciting. Late prom tribute to Ivor Novello with...

Cannot believe we are nearly halfway through the season! Last night the pre Prom talk about religion and music with James MacMillan and Andrew Carwood was fascinating. I asked a question about "from the heart to the heart" and both gave good answers. Andrew said St Paul's does everything from the heart and if the boys don't like a setting it is not repeated! Tristan prelude and Bruckner 6 well played by BBC Phil conducted by Juanjo Mena who is proving to be excellent after his dull debut last year. The premiere of MacMillan's Credo which has not set before - an effective work delivering the text clearly. Liz came home as she had a spot removed from her back today. I got to Acton at 10.30. Woke with a sore right shoulder. Ciarán wanted track made! Went with Louise to Westfield library which is lovely and lunch at M & S. Watched more Olympics. Pre Prom talk with Edward Gardner about his reading. Prom tonight BBC SO played really well for Semyon Bychkov Schubert ...

Bed at midnight, woke at 2, 5 and 6. Unusual dream - I was supposed to sing the gospel but had not had time to practise it. In the end I did not sing it and came into a room of black clad clerics and deacons (I was in ordinary dress) and one of them said "I really wanted John to sing the gospel" but he meant another John! Then somebody mentioned a response to the gospel sung at Christmas "The word was made flesh" sung by Marcel McCarron but of course we never did sing such a response! Swam 28. Watching dressage and Come dine with me. Interesting that the Praise bus video in London shows it going past Spurgeons College so they must have been staying in this area! Considering the hassle I had trying to get a band on the bus and it never came off! Watching men's triathlon and Michael Portillo on the West Highland railway to Mallaig - been there!

Back to swimming this morning and did 24. Also returned to tai chi and Hendrika took the class. Returned books to Battersea library which is looking great! Watched Olympic show jumping and Come dine with me.

To pre Prom talk about Atwood's Handmaid's tale with Kate Adie - most interesting. The Prom was Bernstein's Mass and totally OTT. Never one to shirk extremes Bernstein approached the Mass from a Jewish viewpoint but also questioning and poking fun too. The soloists were excellent especially the boy (shades of the barmitzvah?) I spent much of the time on the rail and was glad I bought a programme. Well done the Welsh!

Played at the Ascension Lavender Hill - very High church, birettas but very friendly and all went well. A Johannus replaces old pipe organ. They use new Missal! 4 baptisms. Home for lunch of ham. First prom David Hill conducting Bob Chilcott's Angry planet - 600 a capella including schoolchildren. Lots of noises from children in audience and a very small Prom. Ben Parry's Flame was most effective. Bach choir, National youth choir, BBC singers. To Matthew Rowe's introduction to the second prom and Liz came. BBC Scottish and Scottish youth orchestra conducted by Runnicles. MacMillan, Wagner, Bruch (Nicola Benedetti) Strauss, Musgrave and Respighi.

 Listened to Mahler 7 with the score (Monday's prom BBC Phil with Noseda) and watched women's triathlon. To 2 p.m. Prom Ulster orchestra and Ulster youth orchestra. Galway playing Mozart 2 and Bach encore. Chabrier Espana and Firebird suite (different to score I had) and a new work featuring solo flute and percussion group by Elaine Agnew. Conducted by JoAnn Falletta. To Marks for tea and bought flowers for the anniversary. Fr Christopher at Mass and he thanked Eugene for being thurifer for the first time and Fr Alexander's brother Piers was cantor. Came home and recorded NYO prom of Messiaen to watch athletics - amazing stuff.

The match between Federer and Juan Martin del Potro is engrossing and a real battle. Watched the people's history and History of art in 3 colours - blue also Michael Portillo so gradually catching up. To prom Siegried Idyll and Bruckner's 8th BBC Scottish with Donald Runnicles on great form. Came home to Carte d'Or ice cream and Montepulciano wine and watched some of the TV of the Bruckner.

Friday our 38th wedding anniversary which I put as 36th on Facebook - oops! I could not find the quote but I'm sure in a BBC comedy show there was a character who always replied to "how long?" "35 years"! Catching up on recorded evensongs concentrating on Choirbook for the Queen items - Jonathan Dove, Richard Rodney Bennett. Francis Pott canticles and Parry Fantasia on O God our help.

To St Chad's to play for Mary's funeral. There was a good turnout and the grandchildren all did well. The first thing was to find the new on/off switch which is inside the organ! The blocks I left there years ago to raise the stool had gone! All went reasonably well. We took Josie to Beckenham crematorium where we had Irish recordings and then to the Surprise for a very pleasant lunch and met lots of Addiscombe and South Norwood folk. To the pre Prom talk by Matthew Rowe on the B minor Mass, Harry Bicket's professional chorus were almost unrelentingly LOUD. Soloists were good especially Matthew Rose and Iestyn Davies the countertenor.

After the excitement of the tennis Tuesday was a quiet day with Liz working away at reflective theological journals and me tidying up, cooking sausages, sorting out washing, etc. Have finished the book on Sydney Nicholson at Chislehurst which was interesting and it mentioned the blind tenor at York Minster. Louise brought the car back and did some work and then I went to Bromley library to get more scores. The prom featured RVW Fantasia on Tallis theme. Ireland These things shall be which is a fine piece. Delius and Belshazzar's Feast - it was well sung. We skipped the late Prom and went to Acton and caught up on more Olympic action. Wednesday we all went to Ravenscourt Park and met Rufus. They enjoyed the hour long football taster! Had lunch there and Liz had her hair cut. To the pre Prom discussion with Simon Halsey and Ken Burton. Good to hear many young people are singing around the country. I think the BBC would have done well to tell us that the new choir is in fact 5 excelle...