The organist librarian

Mass, art, interfaith lunch, Corpus Christi at Caterham. 5 in choir sang Schubert setting and Elgar Ave verum. Lovely to have incense. Played Boellmann Adoro te and Peeters O saving victim. Enjoyed Secret life of 5 year olds. Liz sang at Upper Norwood an impressive carpet of flowers. Vierne.

A great turnout for Umberto's funeral and delicious cream tea. He will be much missed. The music was pretty awful - hymns we did not know, Lamb of God Israeli Mass? no sung Alleluia. James Gough replaced Doug Tang at Sloane Square Bach, Howells and Dupre. Henry Fairs played superbly at the cathedral Bach, interesting Alain, Franck, Schumann, Mozart and best of all the Bairstow sonata. BRAVO!

Heavy rain. To Mass. Henry came for an hour then to the GP - he played well with the ball and the rocking horse. To Hanover Square for recital by Janette Fishell. She plays well and is from Indiana. Bach, Beethoven (!) Ethel Smyth and Lionel Rogg. Simon Williams pleased to see me. Only 16 there. To quiet time. Liz went to Cadogan Hall Tallis scholars freebie with Elizabeth, Invite came for Carol and Kevin's wedding - there is to be a canal trip from Wigan! MM at Romsey is off. Watched TV on Sir Kenneth MacMillan, He died at 62. Skype meeting did not work well but chatted to John Rayer and on phone to Mike Reidy. Grammar schools programme very interesting. 

Fantastic cast in Lear on BBC2. I can never watch the blinding of Gloucester.

Watched Simon Reeve in Burma, Pohan Ormuk and Come dine with me. 

This year we celebrate Claude Debussy, Rossini, Tchaikovsky and Leonard Bernstein. None of them wrote anything for the organ but there are some transcriptions! Charles Gounod is perhaps best known for “Ave Maria” based on the Bach prelude and the opera “Faust”. However Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry 1st Baronet (1848- 7 October 1918) did write a great deal for the organ including some very difficult chorale preludes on hymn tunes and the towering Fantasia and Fugue. I can play the preludes on “Rockingham” (“When I survey”) and “Melcombe” (“New every morning”). His Bridal March and Finale from The Birds of Aristophanes is little played nowadays but there is a beautiful Elegy composed for the funeral of Sidney, 14th Earl of Pembroke April 7th, 1913 which I will be playing in November. Parry is probably best known for “Jerusalem” and the tune “Repton” for “Dear Lord and Father of mankind”. He also composed the splendid “Laudate Dominum” for “O praise ye the Lord” (A and M 753). Also ...

Glorious day - is it really Bank Holiday Monday and it's not raining? To Bromley Parish church to hear Daniel Moult give an excellent recital. Harvey Grace interesting, did not care for Brian Brockless and Jacques van Oortmessen (Flor Peeters is better) but a rousing Widor Finale. Next time the camera will be further back so we can see the pedals as well!  A very English scandal was excellent! Hugh Grant can really act!

Played Willan on Nicaea, Stanford on Garton and Alec Wyton March St Patrick's breastplate. We sang all of "I bind unto myself" and Schubert "Holy, Holy, Holy" and we will sing the Deutsche Mass adapted on Thursday and next Sunday. Rehearsed Boyce Alleluia - perhaps he will be rediscovered since the Royal wedding? Stupid boy about 12 hits emergency button on platform. Mother ignored it. Voice in response. So I said "yes that's for you". Mother had to explain to the person responding to the call. But why let him hit the button in the first place? A pleasure to turn pages for Stephen Power at the cathedral Stanford, Langlais and Parry and an enjoyable time at the Cardinal!

Henry fine and they stayed until 1 p.m. We were tired. To Bloomsbury Baptist despite TFL not telling anyone half the Northern line was closed. Changed at Bank. Nathan Laube played Rameau from memory and Roger-Ducasse Pastoral very effective. Bus 24 diverted so got underground.  Trinity sunday vespers and said Mass.Disappointed by Sistine Chapel choir concert at the cathedral which was packed. Appalling conducting, Sicut cervus at double speed, poor treble line, muddled part singing and every piece ends with a Victorian decrescendo! Nice to see Alan Rainer and Eugenie. Simon has written a good article on serving in Oremus. 

To Bishops conference Spirituality day on Art of dying well with Pia Matthews and the ministry of consolation. Inspiring! Wellcome teeth and Somewhere in Between puzzling. Why replicate a gay sauna to comment on HIV? Heythrop lecture on Divino afflante Spiritu spoilt by a rude heckler. Great to see Marcin Mazur, Sylvia and Jonathan. Woke early at Acton and spent a busy day in the library. Have emptied several boxes and catalogued all non-fiction and a lot of picturebooks. Discussed with Anna the forthcoming staff meeting. Henry has come to sleep and had gone to sleep quite happily! Watched Chester zoo and Antiques roadshow and the end of Indian summer school. 

Drains cleared. Mass and played for funeral at Caterham - very quiet affair. Henry came and played a little in the garden. To Canteen at Royal Festival Hall for most enjoyable family meal with Dennis, Louise, Bruce and Emma. To Acton. Watched TV programme on Royal Academy. Library work then to St James Piccadilly for a fascinating tour and talk on interfaith by Revd Lucy Winkett. It was brilliant! Tea at Royal Academy and saw the new bridge. Lovely dinner Old Johannian reunion at Royal Society of Medicine. 11 came and we had a great evening. This is our 6th reunion dinner there! 65 years since John, Richard and Stan started together at school!!

To Beckenham circle and Tony's official visit and he complimented me. Alarmed to hear that a merger would mean losing the Norwood name! Tony brought the public speaking shield which has been engraved.

Mass and some confusion over readings for new feast of Our Lady Mother of the Church. Stephen Disley played an interesting programme at Southwark cathedral. A quiet Bach Fantasia in C minor worked well and Imperial March a great ending. On Chesil beach very sad book is better but a good film

A delightful family day for Ciarán's first communion at Acton. He read beautifully and a most enjoyable lunch at the Chatsworth in the sunshine. We went to Wembley for the party for Michael's confirmation. It took over an hour to get home due to diversions around Wembley. The music was too loud and I said we were leaving so the cake got cut. Fr Julio turned up at 7 as we were leaving! 

Cardinal Vaughan schola sang I was glad and Mozart Coronation Mass at Mass. Well done! Umberto Ferrando RIP always smiling, a great Catenian and faithful Altar Server. To interfaith iftar at West London Synagogue. The food was excellent, the company less so in fact I would seriously consider not going again. Amazed to learn CCJ were meeting at the same time!

Lovely wedding and glorious day! The sermon was amazing! St George's choir on great form and Sheku was sensational! All went beautifully.  Bride stunning. Lovely music not heard because of ceaseless chatter. The Handel and Boyce worked really well for the processionals.

Mass then John Fisher school to talk to year 7 about Thomas More and the Catenians a lively group. The Captain Cook exhibition at the British library has a wealth of treasures notably his journals, Banks and Hodges pictures. Fascinating and new insights. Vespers with the choirs of the cathedral and Westminster Abbey featured Anthem by Patrick Gowers and Beaven magnificat. Thrilling sound. Marchand at the end. How marvellous to see a woman Canon censing the statue of Our Lady with Canon Christopher. TV programmes on Chile hotel and David Hockney.

To St John's to hear Mark James. Chris remarked that he needed a good teacher. He has little sense of phrasing and style and a lot of marches! Discussion about Martin Setchel with Carl and about the RAH concert. 70% full and an opportunity missed to play some attractive organ music rather than transcriptions.

Sunny but cool breeze. To Mass and Liz went to get compost. To art and the Angel musician is finished! To dentist and nothing but a clean = £21.60 and come back in November. 

Did not go to library this week as the room is being used for SATs. To Mass and coffee. To Orpington to visit Umberto in hospital. He was sleeping peacefully and nearing his end. Barbara enjoyed the chat. To Acton to pick up the boys and painful walking so Ciaran on his bike kept checking on me! Home to watch secret life of the zoo. Liz had been at dementia testing session at Wimpole St. 

Woke late. Sang Faure Pie Jesu at Peter Diggens' funeral. Sadly no incense. He was a true Christian gentleman and pillar of the church. Jill Caudle sang O rest in the Lord beautifully. I put my foot down politely with John Varney and said we had come to sing the Faure. He is competent but insensitive.  Henry came and played in the garden and upstairs. Royal Albert Hall organ spectacular with Wayne Marshall, Olivier Latry and David Briggs. I was late thanks to rail services and so arrived in the middle of the interesting tour inside the organ. It was a pity that the second half was not real organ music but the Ravel and Gershwin worked well. I think the Widor played by all 3 was fun!

Catenians considering the future and I am on a committee of 4 to look at possibilities including Addiscombe and Beckenham. William Rhind was there.

Special visit to Christ Church cathedral Oxford to see Irina Bradley's icons only to find electrical work up above prevents close examination. Christ Church gallery is a hidden treasure. Health and safety strikes again! Safely home 390 miles of driving. Those motorways -car transporters seem to be the worst about lanes and not hogging the middle lane. M54 closed and satnav kept trying to take me back to it but I went through Wolverhampton to M6! Pedestrian access to Birmingham symphony Hall so bad thanks to building a new centre - ended up walking on the road! Birmingham designed for cars not people!

Sunday served at Mass at conference centre. Mark Davies Bishop of Shrewsbury friendly and brought good cathedral choir and organist. More reassurances from highups. Drove to Birmingham M54 closed eventually got to M6 despite the satnav. Ibis Budget OK and walked to Symphony hall. Pavements closed ended up on road. Excellent final and all 3 played brlliantly but so different Cello, sax, piano and pianist won. Lauren Zwang she is local and lots of Chinese, students and kids. 4 to 7. Shaku playing Elgar was very special. Got a roll and drink and watched most of  it on BBC4

The conference - spoke twice proposing both motions. Danny and Tony spoke as did John Rayer. The debate was of a high standard. All  4 motions failed but we got our message over. Bishop John was excellent and very friendly. In fact greeted by loads of brothers and directors. Not disappointed - the debate has started. Took Vincent Spink to Ironbridge but disappointed to find it all covered up. Had a pasty. Museum of the gorge - not a lot to see , nice film. Cream tea was good. After swim in the evening to the carnival - good meal and excellent Glenn Miller type band Strings of Pearl from Sussex. Watched semi of young musician.

Set off early Friday and got to Heathrow by 8.15 then on M40. Put in wrong postcode so ended up in Alcester so went to NT Coughton Court which has lovely gardens and climbed to the top for the view. Thrckmortons were Rc throughout and involved in Gunpowder plot. Dining room lovely and they still live there. Mary Queen of Scots chemise is not likely to be hers (everything was burnt) and interesting old bindings and books. Got toTelford at 2 and nice hotel ParkInn  with pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Got my envelope from Ann Tibke and to Blists Hill Victorian town. People in costume, candlemaker, shire horses, mission church and squatters cottage - chat about Nellie and her ragrugs.  To reception in suit after dinner at hotel - service slow but food good. 

Mass for Ascension chool sang 2 ditties unaccompanied and we could not join in the second was I will worship song, art drew NZ birds, collected robes from cathedral then to St George's Cathedral for 10th anniversary of Jimmy Mizen. Moving tributes and great singing by all. Tea at Notre Dame school. Catenians well represented.I shook Simon Hughes' hand and saw Sadiq Khan and Police commissioner Dickie, Christopher Jamieson was there too. Lovely Ascension celebration at St John Upper Norwood - some very fine texts. Ireland in C and God is ascended up on high. Guiilmant march on a theme of Handel at the end from Bridget West

Swam. Mass. Finalised Old Johannian dinner choices. To St Lawrence Jewry for excellent recital by Andrzej Malitowski Bach and Parry. John East, Michael O'Leary,Peter Wright, Michael Butterfield  and Paddy Russill.Very fine exhibition outside Guildhall about 14-18 War. Meditation at St John's accompanied by ladies choir Blossom Street singers Preparing for CD of women composers including Roxanna Panufnik and Judith Bingham. Sounded great but not silence.Enjoyed Secret life of 5 year olds and history of British Airways which is sadly not what it was and we prefer Emirates or Singapore airlines. Lou and Tom went to pub and Sean woke me around 9.45! A lot done in the library. I found I could add simple stock and listen to BBCIplayer at the same time. To Dulwich meeting and we heard Raleigh ICS in Niicaragua and Tanzania.Programme on Palmyra.

Animals and flowers Oh the joys of Facebook! Having played for 55 years I have not had to play for a pets’ service before(June 10 at 11.45 a.m.) so went on Facebook to ask for suggestions for organ pieces. Some of the ideas would simply not work on the organ e.g. “How much is that doggie in the window?”, Rossini Cats’ duet, “There was a farmer and his dog”, “Three blind mice”, “Ding dong bell” and “Old Macdonald had a farm” quite apart from not being suitable for divine worship in my view. I do have the piano versions of “Teddy bears picnic” which is fun and “A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square” (it’s one of my party pieces) and another suggestion was Gershwin “Walking the dog”. Or the Mozart theme from the show jumping at Olympia might do – it is actually called “A musical joke” as it ends in a discord. A good idea is the organ Toccata “Pat le facteur” i.e. “Postman Pat and his black and white cat” Le Valle Vert by Edward Marsh. It's in the style of the Durufle Toccata, but th...

Glorious day and really enjoyed Matthew Beetschen's recital at Bromley Parish church especially the Granville Bantock, Preston and Jongen. The Vierne made a great ending and it was lovely to have the screen. So glad Oliver won the Big Painting challenge! Secret life of the zoo and Antiques roadshow - what's not to like. Swept patio and had g and t and dinner outside for first time this year. Got water features going. The Woman in white was excellent. Loads of emails about the Catenian conference not allowing proxy votes. How can 200 decide on motions? What about everyone else! 

Another glorious day. Played I know that my redeemer liveth and Bach Heut triumphiret. We sang Now the green blade riseth. Practised toccatas and Tuba tune.My friendly train driver tells me that ahead of the major timetable changes Southern are trying to get their drivers to join Thameslink and be retrained. Given the appalling record of relations with drivers the management must be mad! Why did they not plan ahead and check how many drivers were needed? To St Paul's cathedral for inspiring talk by Chris Webb Anglican Benedictine from Launde Abbey. His book is "God soaked life".Played Walther and Bach at evensong. Enjoying Simon Schama's Story of the Jews. We have visited Sephardis but I did not realise its importance. The Durrells and The Woman in white. Leg of lamb for dinner. It reached 22 degrees today! 

Played for memorial service at Caterham. Interesting that some men were in shirtsleeves no tie and jacket and the young men were in dark suits. Jerry sang solo in the 3 hymns Goodbye Heythrop conference lovely to see old friends and great address from Peter Vardy. Gounod Romeo and Juliette from the Met conducted by Domingo on radio 3. Quaqoe at Mass, Piano final of Young musician.

Up early but cancelled train meant I got to the library after 10. However I added a lot of non-fiction. Samuel Ali stood in at Bedford Park and played well. It would have been good to used the pedal Reed less and finish in G major but not to detract from his skill.  busy afternoon welcoming at the cathedral. 2 requests re Diana! The 3 children's guides look great. To Queen's gallery for lovely Charles 11 and the audio worked well on the loop. My entry converted to 1 year pass! To Holy Trinity Brook Green for celebration Mass Michael Chute has been serving there for 60 years. Archbishop George Stack gave a fine homily

To swim, vote (driving around trying to find Merstham Road) Mass, St Stephen Norbury for art but ended up playing the organ to an apprecative audience of artists -Andrew Moore, Elgar, Bach and Coleridge-Taylor Melody. Then to Friends meeting house Forest Hill for an interesting presentation and worship arranged for RC Southwark ecumenical commission. Bishop Paul Hendricks was there. #ROHManon at East Dulwich picturehouse. This ballet has everything - romance, humour, drama, superb dancing and music. Home at 11.

Loved Cendrillon by Massenet from the Met with a fine cast Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote and Sarah Kim absolute delight. Good meal at Johnnies Dulwich. A busy morning showing Emma how to catalogue. She is a natural. I am to attend a staff meeting. I chucked out more baby books and old stock so the piles are going down!To Quiet day at Hinsley room with Jill Benet on Emmaus.Popped into the National Gallery to see Still Life curated by Tacita Dean. She chose some interesting paintings but her own videos were unimpressive. I liked Sickert's Hare. What do we make of Tacita Dean? I am not going to pay to see her Portraits at NPG.  Train to Sevenoaks for meeting with Sussex Catenians! Learnt a lot at the meeting especially about central council. Lovely pub The White Hart. Home by 10,30.