The organist librarian

To Mass and Liz did shopping. Concert 53 for John and 33 pre Prom talks. Delightful art group garden party dodging rain. Super Tchaik Manfred and Rachmaninoff piano concerto 1. Great to see  Michael Butterfield  from Sydney who is starting postgrad organ course at RAM and staying in new student accomodation in Goldhawk Road. Good discussion on Byron with Sam West doing thee readings. Saw Chris Tew on train and got home in 45 minutes.

Colin at Mass so had a chat. Liz could not get in to the prom. The system is unfair that online prommers get in up to 7.30. We have paid for the concerts. Annoyed by interviewer at pre Prom talk interrupting speakers on Lenin. Great playing from Oslo Philharmonic under Petrenko. But why was this a sellout! Rachmaninov, Firebird and Shostakovich 12. For the second time big black car parked by woman in our place and bollards moved. Jeanette was rude to Liz abut this.  To St Cecilia's North Cheam for funeral of Laurence Jones who was 90. Lunch at Victoria and Albert sweet potato with avocado. Sat at a table with a lady between two women who talked non stop over a cup of coffee with people looking for seats. Cannot get worked up about plywood but the Constables are great and were recently on BBC Fake or fortune.  2 splendid proms -Renee Fleming gave us two encores and was superb! Nielsen 2 a great work. Chineke! and Sheku excellent. Home at 12.30. Thursday to Mass. 

A day of delights. Reading in the park, Cadogan Hall Chopin, excellent lunch at Cote Brasserie Sloane Square calamari, steak, orange Grand marnier crepe, champagne. talk on La Clemenza Glyndebourne prom. Alice Coote singing top Bs!  Also fruit tart and cappuccino at Peter Jones this a.m. how's that for happiness! Interesting correspondence on Face Book about not playing secular music at services e.g. Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky piano concerto themes. 

Played poco adagio and Finale from organ symphony of Saint-Saens. Have been trying some Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Bruch and The Swan. Not sure I would play the latter at a service and some interesting Face Book comments about that.  Mass at St Mary's much better without Fr Michael rabbiting on. But the priest never introduced himself  and spoke about who Jesus is!  Just listening to the repeat of Christiane Karg Cadogan Hall prom - glorious voice but the diction is not great. Heard the rest of the Peckham garage prom including Bantock and Whitley.  Nearly gave the prom tonight a miss as lunch in the garden was so pleasant but glad we went for the Cincinatti SO Prom debut in Bernstein, Copland and Tchaikovsky 5. Brass in stunning form, great strings. I think they loved playing that music at the Prom! Interesting talk on Lincoln. Wierd journey home 452 tube and fast to Selhurst which said it was not stopping there but it did! What Tchaikovsky say to two young men kiss...

Watched rest of Oklahoma. Liz got leads for HDMI connections to TV. Watched Royal Ballet Woolf Works by Wayne Macgregor and music by Max Richter. I must read these novels!  Listening to John Adams Harmonielehre from prom the same extraordinary effect.  A stimulating prom on Hussite chorale theme Smetana, Martinu, Dvorak, Janacek, Suk. Grand ending on full organ. Marilyn back from Edinburgh. Adrian, Terence and Stanley there. 

Watched Oklahoma on IPlayer. To Estorick collection for Grignani not sure I could live with some of his psychedelic patterns. Intrigued by futurist Hand of the violinist. Preprom talk on the Romans and loved the Dickens quote. Prom starting late orchestra rehearsing when we came in.  Brahms Violin concerto and two colourful Respighi tone poems orchestra of La Scala conducted by Chailly. Louise stayed overnight. Ben Elton gave a good Ronnie Barker comedy lecture on BBC.

A quiet day with no Prom (Charlie Mingus). To art and finished the leopards. David was impressed. Watched Sweet makers, TV Proms and some Songs of Praise. Liz went to Wizard of Oz at Bromley conducted by Daniel Beach. I went to Wandsworth LBGT showing of God's own country at Clapham Picturehouse. A lovely film. I felt a bit out of place in a cinema full of gays!  Sent photos to Rob and Wildfowl trust. 

To the funeral of Eileen Haines at Sanderstead with Canon Jim Pannett. He remarked that I should have played. I had offered but the family decided not to change the arrangements. It sounded like a feeble instrument. Gerry apologised at the reception. Gill was there. News of the passing of Laurence Jones aged 90.  A most enjoyable prom from BBCSO and Sakari. Sibelius, Saint-Saens piano concerto no. 2 with brilliant pianist and Elgar 3. Boys spent the day relaxing and I finished 2 books.  Enjoying Halle prom Dvorak New World effective use of 4 actors and films. Mark Elder on great form. 

Design museum has 2 excellent exhibitions Breathing Colour by Hella Jongerius and California with interesting history of computers, surfboards and skateboards among much else. Ben Uri gallery has a good display of Polish artists.  Cadogan prom by Christiane Karg and Malcolm Martineau - Duparc, Ravel and Poulenc. Interview with Gerald Barry about his new work Canada which turned out to be as awful as expected. Stravinsky and Beethoven from Birmingham orchestra. Chris Tew on train and ate with Adrian as Liz did not go home. 

Liz went to Saturday's Prom of Gurrelieder and I listened on phone and at home. During the day I watched the TV Proms of Eroica and Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass and the sweet makers. We had a Milan seminarian called Manolo serving at Mass. He was in a lay group at the Duomo for 10 years.  A marathon of 3 proms. Drove to Caterham as buses replaced trains and parked at Royal Albert hall. 40 miles. I played Dad's Bishopthorpe suite and Liszt on Arcadelt's Ave Maria. The orgelbuchlein Prom was excellent at 1 p.m. and really loved the Passion selections at 3.30. Lovely St John Passion - Sophie Beavan sublime. Lucy Winkett commented on how we need to own this music as it has been taken over by professionals. Met Rita Day and Jenny Stirling.

I just thought of a word Mum used to use if she could not remember what something was called. Something like oojacapivvy.  Underwhelmed by Matisse at RA and a lot of people there including Dame Monica Mason. The Tudor portraits at the Royal Society of Antiquaries very fine especially Mary Tudor and Edward VI's hair and coronation procession.  Sakari Oramo conducted Mahler 2 with ponderous slow final movement. Where were the deep basses? Unimpressed by flutes and mezzo soloist. Good to see film of Gilbert Kaplan conducting it. Still have the page of score he gave all performers in 2005.

Mass and art and good progress -had not been for 2 weeks and the party invites were well-received. I went to the RGS to see the Shackleton platinum print photos by Frank Finley.  An interesting discussion on Saint-Saens and a satisfying Prom with the RPO conducted by Charles Du Toit who presented with the gold medal of the Royal Philharmonic society. Falla, Joshua Bell playing Lalo and S-S 3 - what's not to like? Friday to Mass and watched The Man in the orange shirt a very fine 2 parter by Patrick Gale with Vanessa Redgrave. Listened to Judith Weir prom.

A rare opportunity to hear the Ralph Downes organ in St Clement Danes. Jack Gonzalez-Harding RCM played Wood sea songs, Howells and premiere by Geer who I also met. To Serpentine gallery for Grayson Perry then  tea in the park next to bowling green.  Took the boys to enjoyable Adventure in Moominland at South Bank centre and a good lunch at Giraffe. Last night's prom enjoyed Brahms and exuberant Schumann 3. Berg well played and the Larchner was intriguing. The talk about sleep had some good tips eg sleep 3 times a day is normal, do not worry about not sleeping, light is crucial. Work out what type you are. I am early morning awake and second wind p.m. sleepy after lunch. An enjoyable Prom with French music influenced by the Orient including Saint-Saens, Lalo, Franck and Delibes. I fell asleep during the talk on djinns. The problem was Ian MacMillan standing between the two guests so they were not speaking directly into the mikes. Elif Shafak is usually more interesting! Met C...

2 contrasted proms. Shostakovich at Cadogan well sung by Latvian radio choir. I spoke to the choir member interviewed on TV and he agreed it would be great to hear them sing Latvian music. The piano preludes and fugues amazing music. Debussy and Ravel followed by Turnage. I dropped off! He was most engaging at the talk and we heard a fine piece by him. Dame Monica Mason was there and on my bus looking formidable! This morning I got more scores from Westminster and indulged in cappuccino and fruit tart at Peter Jones. Lots of the gallery regulars missing tonight.

Is there anything more annoying than a train leaving Selhurst 3 minutes before it is due to leave just as I got on the platform? Luckily there was another soon after. I have complained. I was not alone in my complaint. Celebrating Mary so sang Ave Maria by Lindley and I played Gounod, Griffiths and Dandrieu. I skipped pre-lunch drinks at the vicarage and went to 12.15 mass at St Mary's which was far too long. Fr Michael went on and on about last weekend, funerals, Mary, evangelisaton, etc. Most annoyingly he adds to the prayers and repeats what we have just prayed for.  2 Rachmaninov proms and an excellent talk with David Nice. The playing in the piano concerto No.3 was phenomenal and Symphony No. 2 was excellent. The Latvian radio choir were disappointing in the Vespers. Wayward altos, a light rather than a heavy sound, where were the deep basses and the dark vowels. Took car up and home by 11.30. 

Lie-in. Did not go to Gallery prommers picnic or Oscar Romero mass and film at Southwark. Instead had a quiet day at home as Sunday is a long day.  Catching up on proms Schumann cello concerto and Hindemith and NYO TV prom. Ades Polaris sounded far better on TV than in the gallery. Schubert unfinished and Mahler 10 very moving. David Owen Norris talk he is a genius. Liz was at Mass and arrived at the start of the Prom. Parked at West Norwood because of match and home by 11. 

Yesterday I went to Mass and we took the boys to Forest fun in Grangewood Park. 2 and half hours it was great. Liz went to the Prom. I was intrigued by the Norwegian soprano. I think the vowel sounds in Finnish must be different. The talk on Hindemith interesting.  Went swimming with  Louise Maher  and the boys. Impressed by Sean. Played Oklahoma on the piano. Sat in garden and read The Tablet. Travel to and from the hall disrupted by trespass at Norbury. Thoroughly enjoyed the Oklahoma prom.Home at 12.

Rained heavily all day. Swam and Mass. Stuart was amused about the readings not being fixed.  21 people at Nigel Groome's recital at St Matthew Westminster. The Leighton worked well not so sure about the English music on a baroque organ. Marcus Wibberley is playing next Wed. Torrential rain and British Museum heaving. Hokusai sold out but enjoyed British landscapes.  Readings about the Spanish civil war preceded Ballad of heroes which is a fine work.Brian Elias cello concerto some fine moments. Purcell arranged by Elgar a curiosity. Excellent Enigma will real ppp. Liz did not come. Jennifer very restless again but at least she took her boots off. Louise and boys have arrived. 

Swam, Mass for St Dominic's day. Met Mike at Crystal Palace station cafe.  Went to see "Dunkirk" truly the horror of war. Good lunch at Byron burgers.  Tonight's prom a highlight of the season Damnation of Faust conducted by John Eliot Gardiner excellent soloists and chorus. Some speeds were a little fast. The talk about the devil with Peter Stanford and Revd Sarah Layton fascinating.  Suggestions for music for demise of Liz's laptop? Dead march from Saul? Cast me not away? Lord let me know mine end?  Prom highlights so far Bach and Berlioz with Gardiner, Shostakovich played by Benedetti, Finnish folk music and Cellist Edgar Moreau.  252,000 have read my trip advisor reviews!

Swam.  To Kensington library to get scores which are all in store. Assistant produced Mahler 1 (2 versions) so took the large one and Rachmaninov Symphonies. So I explained I wanted Rachmaninov Piano concerto no.4 which she found but the Ravel songs have gone awol! To Leighton House for the superb Alma-Tadema exhibition - he could paint anything! Do not miss! To Cadogan for a brilliant concert with Il Pomo d'Oro and the young cellist Edgar Moreau who is exceptional! Tried to do some sketches as the whole group had amazing hair!  Loved the talk on cuneiform with Irving Finkel from the British Museum. Bournemouth SO played well but in Belshazzar the national youth choir needed more male voices to balance the orchestra. Was it a good idea to have the choir sing so loudly in the Prokofiev? Belshazzar needs a lot of vocal stamina. The Beethoven and Strauss were lovely.

Played Elgar Chanson de matin, Ave verum, Andrew Moore Nobilmente and Janacek Fanfare from Sinfonietta. Got earlier train. Changed at Purley and train came from Brighton Pride packed so waited for Tulse Hill one. It was nice to be home early. Liz went to Mass at West Norwood.  Khovanschina proved to be an interesting marathon with a good talk and excellent chorus. 6 to 10.15. Have now done email invites to the party. Several cannot come. 

Drinking white wine and listening to the new Worcester service by Thomas Hewitt Jones. 

Yesterday h ad delicious mackerel, rice and beans. Opened a bottle of Ned Sauvignon Blanc with a screwtop and the inside cap flew off into the air! Wine tasted OK!!   Glad we took a night off from the Proms and watching it on BBC4 we would not have heard the chat in the gallery. People complain about Barenboim making speeches but it is acceptable for jazz musicians to do so? Get on and sing or play please and cut the chatter! Actually I am no fan of jazz. Watched several programmes on gay liberation anniversary.  An impressive choir and orchestra from Cracow at Mass. Transfiguration. No incense at vespers after all.  Liz at NYO prom. I got there for Ades Polaris hard to follow full score and Rite of Spring. On BBC4 tomorrow

After Mass to Balham library to get lots of scores. To St Stephen Wallbrook and Christopher Harris asked if anyone would be brave and turn pages for him so I volunteered and got a clap! He played really well - Bach, Langlais, Telemann and Liszt and great to have the whole Dvorak Largo from the New World. He practises at Tunbridge Wells RC so knows Fr Peter! I had to go back to the church as my Michael Palin Sahara book had fallen behind the bench. Glad to get it back as I am enjoying it and it was a present from the junior choir. Met Nigel Groome and said I would try and get to his recital at St Matthew's his new appointment. To the cathedral to do welcoming - people from USA, Germany and Spain.

Back to the swimming pool!  Excellent talk and performance of Israel in Egypt complete original version. Part 1 not as exciting as later parts originally funeral music for Queen Caroline.  Boys looking tanned and relaxed from French trip. The quiet day on the Pharisee and the tax collector went well and played 2 Kyrie's sung by the cathedral choir Vaughan Williams and Palestrina. 20 came. First prom Philharmonia Stravinsky, gorgeous Ravel and Adams.  A superb late night Prom with the Monteverdi choir Schutz and Bach cantatas. The skill of the composer and the instrumentalists amazing. Home at 12.30 a.m.  the annivrsary day turned out different. Liz went up to Glyn Close as Ann-Marie's back window in her car had to be replaced. So I went to Mass alone and missed art as picked her up.  After the splendid champagne tea at Library lounge Marriott County Hall a great conversation with the members of Bremen chamber orchestra who are doing amazing work in a school. Th...