The organist librarian

At art drew picture and then drove to interfaith lunch where there was lively discussion about ramadan and Gaza. Home for tea. Joined Central Music library and can take out 20! Got 14 scores. Pre-prom talk on Richard Strauss and lieder with Graham Johnson. Excellent playing from RLPO under Petrenko. Strauss Festival prelude with Prof Ian Tracey at the organ, BBC singers singing Deutxhe motette, 4 last songs and Elgar 2 beautifully played.

Wednesday another early waking and actually slept more on the lounge couch! Lance came to do bathroom floor. Ciaran at swimming at 11 and no problems. Sean was having an Agga day and can be quite a handful! We went after lunch to Brent Lodge park, Hanwell to see the small zoo, maze and playground - not much for little ones. Hot again. To prom talk on Mahler 5. Was the Adagietto a love letter to Alma - seems unlikely. Julian Johnson was as always very informative. Vienna of 1901 was obsessed with death. Liz managed to get in - they closed door 2 before 10 past. I kept her a seat. The Birtwistle was awful but fine Ravel concerto  for the left hand. Hall packed! My mobile went off at start of Mahler 5 - cannot understand why it was not still on silent. Managed to still it and hide it. It was Dennis with bad news, He failed his yearly assessment and now plans to move to London to work at Putney if he gets the job. Mena conducted BBC Phil well and enjoyed it despite the noises of...

Took Ciaran to swimming crash course. He was reluctant to move from play to lesson but chocolate muffin offer did the trick and he did well. Windows fixed - looks great. Prom was the Borusan Istanbul philharmonic who were stunning - strings, percussion and winds all outstanding. The talk showed the state of music in Turkey with government removing subsidies and the great educational tradition under threat. Why no Turkish composers, conductors or soloists in the prom? Balakirev, Holst (Beni Mora), Mozart, Handel and Respighi - an unusual programme but the Turkish encore was the highlight. Gabriel Prokofiev violin concerto lots of crashing - poor Daniel Hope! We stayed for two of the Rameau motets conducted by William Christie but found the soprano hard and singing too loudly. Reuben was singing. Also tired and got back to Acton on bus and train quickly so worth leaving early.

To the prom talk with David Titterington and Richard Langham Smith. Ravel was not religious at all although RC originally - an atheist. I think there is some spirituality of the earth nature mode in Daphnis certainly pagan. Durufle sounds to have been a charming perfectionist who had little time for Faure and his salon music. BBC Welsh forces conducted by Thierry Fischer Ravel Simon Holt and the requiem with orchestra which was a revelation! To Acton and woke early. There are no blinds up and I can't wait for the new sofa bed to arrive. Tom looks really well and tanned. Had a quiet day in the house. Ciarán was at Jonah's and Seán slept 3 hours. Listened to CPE Bach prom - had wrong score for the keyboard sonata! Monday evening Jonathan Dove (stunning and want to hear it again) Mozart piano concerto beautifully played and Daphnis - BBC chorus on great form and Josef Pons conducted BBC well. Liz was at home all day as old bed went to Emmaus and new bed eventually arrived from Pe...

Woke early. Liz went to Anerley for Mass and to return the white cassock. I played Elgar Chanson de matin and Pomp and Circumstance No. 4, Tambling on Slane, George Dyson on London New (his anniversary this year) and Thalben-Ball on Old 100th. Practised Dorian and Prelude in C minor. Only 18 there. Had to wait to be collected and dismantled our wooden bedframe for Emmaus to collect tomorrow. I will be away 3 nights baby sitting. Liz will come tomorrow once John Lewis deliver the new bed. Watched Proms plus with Mark Elder. Have had Friday's lovely Enigma on the brain.

Woke at 4.30 a.m. and looked up Westminster catalogue for scores as suggested by John East. Watered garden as it was hot. To the hall and took photos of CBeebies characters outside hall and did some sketching Louise, Ciaran, Candy and Jonah arrived and I could see them in the box from the gallery. There were only 3 up there! BBC Phil conducted by Stephen Bell were excellent and the different presenters collected sounds. Surprised there were no characters but enjoyed it. Had an ice cream  and then to V and A to see modern Indian paintings and protest objects which was fascinating. Sketched a silver rosewater ewer. Had an overpriced sandwich and tea at RGS garden Travel photographer display and then to Mary King's workshop on St John Passion. More there this week and tenor next to me strong voice but behind. To M & S and saw Fr John VN's secretary. Told Fr Christopher there was a good photo of him in Lourdes. Told Alistair had met Master musicians lady. Present to Fr P...

To Proms composer David Horne's chamber works and interview and his new pieces were interesting. He seems to do fast music rather well. BBC Phil including John Bradley played superbly for Juanjo Mena who for a Spaniard showed a great love for English music. Walton's Variations on a theme of Paul Hindemith are beautifully written. So is Moeran's violin concerto (new to me) beautifully played by Tasmin Little in a sparkling gown. Enigma variations never fail to hit the spot and we had lovely lines. Saw John East.

Woke at 4.30 so looked at some more Lourdes pilgrimage videos and photos. Swam 20 and met John so chatted about Grangewood park and the arts week. Finished the painting. Waiting for call about new bed headboard but it didn't come so rang them and they said 1.30 to 3.30 slot for delivery. John and David out. To Balham library for scores and drove to St George's Beckenham and parked free at M and S. Heard Harry Bramma play Bach, Karg-Elert and Stanford. I suppose if you get to his age you can play Sleepers wake any time but it seemed to lack flow. Home to find bed board in porch. Sudden storm but still hot and sticky. More Lourdes and Under Milk wood recording.

Did not sleep well - very hot. Watered garden and swam 20 and took strimmer to Ann Marie. It is their wedding anniversary today and Liz had arranged for roses to be sent. To art and painted a picture of sunflowers based on photos from Lou's kitchen. Breakfast in garden and lovely photos from Lourdes including 2 of Liz!  To the hall and excellent pre-Prom talk on the Glagolitic with 2 composers Julian Anderson. I asked about whether Mary King was right to call Janacek a humanist as he was Catholic. He was influenced by millennium event involving 40.000 people. The Brahms piano concerto No. 1 was well played by Barry Douglas but the LSO ensemble was poor. |Did Gergiev rehearse? Why such slow tempi? The Janacek was great. Watched University challenge.MAt several people including Annalisa and Peter.

Overslept - it was hot in the night and missing Liz. To Thornton Heath library where many of the art group turned up at 10. Did chat to Molly about joining us. Karen was there and we ended up having coffee downstairs and heard about the new 8 year contract! Labour won't be able to get out of that! There is a lovely children's library with a garden! To Farm Street to see Sr Campion. There for 2 hours and reviewed the year. Must try to get a better balance between going out and being at home! To erudite pre-Prom talk on Rosenkavalier and asked a question about early 20th century in the opera and commented on Glyndebourne's horrid sets! The performance was splendid although I did get lost in the vocal score a few times! The new torch I bought from Tescos is great. To Acton and saw Diana Mills at the bus stop. Slept in play room (no curtain) and thank goodness new sofa bed has been ordered. Big hugs from the boys (throughout the day). All look tanned from Egypt. Did you get t...

Swam 20 and saw Claire. the photography is not well displayed, took returns parcel for Amazon to garage. Chatted to Ann and then lunch and to Cadogan Hall for first Monday prom of Rameau. Chatted to Judith and John who had seen on the bus. I was not looking forward to an hour of harpsichord based music but in fact it had a lot of variety and humour. Pity the titles were not translated from the French by Petroc or in the programme. Latte and carrot cake at Peter Jones on a voucher Liz had. Had a look at the beds but could not see the one Liz ordered for us! To Wellington Arch (at last!) for a wonderful exhibition about World War 1 memorials and the Arch itself. Great to see historic footage and the views from the top are splendid. Had a look at the Royal Artillery memorial close up - it has been restored. I have long admired the Machine gun corps memorial in passing. The Anzac memorial is also strangely understated but impressive. To Royal Academy for Radical Geometry South America...

Slept better - only woke once. Some interesting reactions at Lambeth country show ranging from "I'm an atheist" to "I'm a born again Christian Jesus is the only God" to a former Catholic who seemed to blame all the violence in the world on religion. Most striking were the harassed faces. A couple of good encounters which may lead to people coming along to meetings.

Woke early and took Liz to Brixton to go to St Pancras and train to Lourdes. She was greeted by VN on arrival in rain this evening. Played Finlandia Dad's favourite, Sheep may safely graze Mum's favourite and we sang Happy are they my Mum's favourite hymn. Also sang Christ be with me so played Stanford on Gartan. To West Norwood and bus to Brockwell Park. Very hot - gave out lots on interfaith bags once I found the gazebo of Faiths together in Lambeth and got lots to do interfaith quiz. Alan and Ivor were there and some other helpers. People looked so stressed and hot! To Grangewood park and had cake and drink and joined the Friends of the park for £3! Saw John and Louise (he goes to the pool) and introduced to Karen organiser of Thornton Heath arts week and people are delighted by the mosaics. Home for tea then to the hall. Pat Barker and Owen Street on war and authors reactions to it. Poetry read by Stephen West. Fabulous Prom from World orchestra for peace conducted by ...

Practised Finlandia and Sheep may safely graze on piano. To St John Goose Green for excellent recital by Andrew Baars. 30 there including his 3 children. He presented it so well. He teaches at Sydenham school and included unusual pieces and the Dorian toccata. Richard Pilliner has offered a recital next year at St Michael's. Home for lunch and Dennis and Ann Marie came down so I went alone to Mary King's workshop on the Glagolitic Mass with an excellent Czech coach and 4 BBC singers including the young bass from the cathedral choir. Really enjoyed it. Only 10 tenors. It was very hot and sunny and the pro-Palestine protest meant no buses so walk to and from South Ken. Saw a bit of travel photographer of the year at RGS. Tea at Marks and saw Paolo at vespers. He was delighted that Liz is going to Lourdes for the first time. Fr Alexander at Mass certainly got on with it with David playing and we got an early 52 and our usual seats for China Philharmonic Proms debut with a popular...

Proms got off to a great start to The Kingdom beautifully played, sung and conducted by Sir Andrew Davis with 4 great soloists, Erin Wall, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Andrew Staples and Christopher Purves. I have sing this work with Andrew Davis and it is splendid. Great to see all the gallery gang again and met Eleanor on the bus. She is still in BBC chorus. It was televised. After a sticky hot day storms are gathering again. Another tragedy Malaysian airliner shot down in Ukraine.

Displayed 6 Roman mosaics and 2 fridge magnets plus small paintings from Esme and Rosa in the case at Thornton Heath pool. Several people said how nice they were. Because of the case I abandoned an amount of the explanations and kept it simple. Swam 20. To Thornton Heath library and helped Julie put up the paintings - I have 6 up! Looks great. Watched University challenge. My article on Festival Hall organ festival published in Laudate!

The family are safely home from Egypt and have gone to Gulliverland and Milton Keynes as the work on the house is not complete. The situation in Gaza worsens and now an airliner has come down in the Ukraine.

Swam 20 with Liz. Liz got an alb from Anerley for Lourdes. To art and the charcoal is did of my school badge and lilies is to go in the exhibition tomorrow! Good selection of art to display. It was hot. Took fliers to Alan and had tea and a chat. To St John's for Jonathan's recital which was memorable. Wagner, Saint-Saens, Whitlock, Ireland, Mendelssohn 5 and Willan. Alan's photocopied scores have fingerings and some very difficult passages. Good audience including Martin How and Robert Cooper. Jonathan has small hands but very flexible thumbs! Ian Tompsett was there.

Swam 20 and Liz came. Chose a photo for next painting and sorted stuff for mosaic display. To Post Office to send off plugs to Paula. To St Michael's for Eleni's recital. While she played well it was nearly all loud and fast and needed some quieter contrast. I did a sketch of a candle bracket. I had not been in St Michael's for ages and it is good to see photos of people involved and some changes for the better. To Pret at Victoria to meet Teresa Whitney a PhD student from LSE from America who asked questions about the interfaith group and came to the meeting. There were 9 there and Jeremy Rodell did an excellent presentation on whether  you can be spiritual without being religious. He saw some overlap between the 2 and discussed Paul on body and spirit. We need to address evil and the soul/. I would argue for the heart affecting perceptions and not just a subjective reaction. To Westminster Abbey St Catherine's garden for wine and snacks but really needed some food! C...

To Goodge Street and Malet Street garden for Ramadan Tent project ably run by Omar and his team. I spoke for 10 minutes and took 3 quotes from Pope Francis on dialogue especially with Muslims. Several people took fliers and photos of us! Delicious hot meal served after prayers. Most impressive. Home at 11.10.

Swam 20. Liz went to assembly at Acton. To Southborough Lane to return Daniel's music bag - very nice place the Bromley Youth music trust! Much better than Croydon. To Bromley library to get more scores and then to the Parish church for ploughman's and Matthew Blaiden's excellent playing of Buxtehude, de Grigny, Saint-Saens, Alain and Ritter. This last is a big Romantic sonata in one movement which keeps feeling as though it will end and then goes on! Home to meet Jo who came to get the 12 blue boys cassocks from Beckenham to take to Sussex free of charge! To dentist and finally got the dentures which feel a bit odd but certainly make a difference. 2 top teeth on each side near the front. Prepared speech for tonight and captions for the mosaics on Friday.

The dear old C of E has at last agreed to have women bishops! Forget that other parts of the world have had them for a long time!

Both to swim then mosaic and grouted 7 items. Barbara kindly helped with the 2 small ones. 4 at tai chi with Hendrika. It looks as though mosaic may move to Kew at 1.30 on Mondays which would not work regarding tai chi. I will miss tai chi until September and mosaic until October. Maybe I will join an art class then? To Balham and got photos for Indian visa and scores at the library - saw Jeremy. Hot day and sunny. To Purley Way to see film of 2013 Globe Macbeth which was excellent. Interesting how Shakespeare gets away with the murder of children and the blinding of Gloucester on stage - very modern.

To Otford and found the church without a problem. A Roland keyboard which had organ and piano sounds. Rehearsed with choir from Erith directed by Christine. The priests were late so I played Elgar Chanson de matin and some Stanley. Leonard Cohen Alleluya and Haas setting. Oh happy day was Ok despite the choir singing one harmony against what I was playing. I finished with Pomp and circumstance No. 1 but had to stop for more announcements and then restart. Liz and Luis served. To a school playing field in Sevenoaks for Pimms, nice picnic and cream tea. People enjoyed the Mass and the music. We sat with John and Linda Carton. I did a sketch. Came home via Otford and Shoreham. Too late for evensong and played some Dvorak on the piano. Watched "The Night watch" based on Sarah Waters book. Germany won the World Cup not that I'm bothered. Sorted Proms scores.

Had some time to discuss finances and new bed. Liz to the Passage with 9 confirmandi and £90 collected in the jam jars. She served at confirmation at 6 and all went well. To St Leonard Chelsham a nice organ. Susan Beamish is church warden and knows Alistair Telfer in the worshipful company of musicians. Pie and Spitfire ale at Botley hill farmhouse - very good. To St Peter Limpsfield which a rather brash Peter Collins rebuild of an older organ. St Cecilia window is very fine and found graves of Delius, Beecham, Norman del Mar and Eileen Joyce nearby Jack Brymer. On to St Andrew Limpsfield Chart which has an 1885 organ which was pleasing. At Titsey a Pearson church the organ is an unspoilt Hill which has been rebuilt to a high standard. Home by 6 and saw Dennis and Ann Marie after dinner.

Woke early and uploaded Paul's photos onto Facebook  -they are really good. Train to  New Cross Gate 8.58 and then buses to Belmont Hill. Sisters have a lovely property opposite St Margaret Lee and Sr Maria Christine is from France and recently came from Edenbridge. This was an Ignatian day and we spent an hour drawing a review of the course this past year in silence, ate lunch in silence and then watched a film "The man who planted trees" and I fell asleep - I think I have seen it before. Reflection time on that - lovely chapel. Did not go out because of light rain - saw a fox and magpies. Left at 4 with Steve and buses and train to Charing Cross and to Colour exhibition at National Gallery. While it was interesting not sure it was worth £6! To College Garden at the Abbey for the Passage garden party. Sat with Louise Sage and Paul - lovely buffet and plenty to drink - Pimms and wine. Freddie and John Catenians were there. Really enjoyed it and the rain held off. Salvat...

Swam 20. Tuesday set off from East Croydon station at 9.30 and train to Bedford and 41 bus to Turvey. Although I have been there before for some reason I walked down Jack's Lane and the entrance was not signposted so ended up on the farm in the hot sun. Walked back to the Abbey and arrived for Mass after midday prayer. Sr Esther directed me to the monastery and Fr John settled me in. Had lunch with the nuns and monks in the house. My room is next to the bathroom and is full of magazines in French! Being at the back of the house it is quiet. Found some free books by Arnold and read one - excellent. He is a Lutheran living in community. After Vespers asked about confession and Fr John indicated that he was already seeing 2 people on Thursday and it looked unlikely. Given that this was the main reason for the visit.... Did some sketching in the garden. Wednesday was a truly wonderful day - lovely weather. Did not sleep well and up at 5.30 for 6.10 readings. The nuns sing beautifully ...

Swam 20, finished a mosaic, tai chi, popped into the Tate British Folk art (which is fun) avoided the cycle race and endured a Scotland Yard interfaith forum meeting with no tea! The commander wants to win our confidence but in fact I feel a bit ignored by the police. To Catenians and 16 there in all. I read Anna's letter as none of the Coloma girls could come. Danny's Niamh was on the HCPT pilgrimage.

Sent off more details about Herbert and Frank to Esther. Finishing touches to the picture. To Brendan's to collect stuff and to Coloma fete. Nike was in a mess and kept trying to put me off but we got a gazebo and our spot. In the end we ran the book stall and gave out lots of leaflets but no balloons. 4 from Croydon and Michael from Swanley helped. It rained and not that many men there but we did raise awareness and had some interesting chats particularly to the police and Mrs Martin. 2 of the bursary fund girls cannot come on Monday but I did get a good letter from one of them to read out.    12 to 4 and I tired but I did go to the cathedral and Fr Alexander paid tribute and said goodbye to Anna Johnston cantor and Ed Symington brilliant organist. Cardinal Vaughn sang Jonathan Dove Gloria, Macmillan and Mawby Ave verum.                         ...

Swam 20. Had a lovely day sitting in the sunny and hot garden painting picture for Ciaran and Seán. Am very pleased with it. We both went to Oliver's recital at St John's Ladbroke Grove. He played Buxtehude, Bach, Messiaen (quiet and bearable) Howells Ps Prelude Set 1 no 1 and Widor. It was good to see and hear him again and meet his parents and the charming organ scholar from Sydney who has no time for Robert Ampt.

Swam 21. Lovely day so ate breakfast in garden where we have some magnificent lilies. Played some Elgar on the piano. To art and did new charcoal drawing. Joined Senate House library as an alumni and got 9 scores - it would have been 10 but the stack service was too slow. To Brixton NGI centre for second conversations for the soul - 9 there 6 of them Buddhist. Seamus from Northern Ireland on Gerry Conlon funeral at the end! Home and dropped in on Dennis and Ann Marie.

Swam 20. To Dennis's to put in the flowers Liz ordered (Dennis and Ann Marie in fact arrived on Wednesday evening) then to Bromley library where I got 18 scores - only a couple could not be found in the stack. Checked Senate House catalogue and reserved Balham ones via Daniel. To the dentist walking from the closed to traffic Tennyson Road bridge. The dentures looks good and fit very well. Got tram from Woodside and train from Elmers End so arrived at the Coliseum early. The secret seats were in the stalls and the opera was marvellous. Great production and singing and lovely music. I think this must be one of the most enjoyable visits to the ENO I have ever experienced and this on the night the Arts Council announces cuts. Tube and overground to Acton by 11. Slept well and to music for the last time this term as the family go to Egypt next week. Sean said "A bell" when it was rung in the bag! He enjoyed it and had lunch and I had cappuccino. Got some petrol. The new win...