Aldeburgh Festival

 Saturday June 10 set off at 8 and reached Moverons garden for tea and cake. Lovely place to visit with lake and views. To Amber and Richard for lunch outside and a lovely chat. We got to Tunstall around 3.30 and went to Mass at Aldeburgh. Met Mgr Tony who is retiring.

Sunday to the Aldeburgh Festival service - Byrd 5 part mass and an excellent sermon by the Dean of St Edmundsbury. He brought in the murmuration theme. Coffee in the hall. To the Maltings to check our tickets which we had in fact recieved online. 7.30 BBC Phil with John Storgards. De Falla Fantasia baetica. Britten Violin concerto with Simone Lansma. Cassandra Miller La donna. We went to the pre-performance talk in the Peter Pears recital room. The idea of a large sound gradually disappearing is hardly original! Sibelius 5 splendid.

Monday 12th 2.30 p.m. Masterclass on Britten with Roderick Williams. Fascinating. The baritone Stephen Whitford is one to watch. His Billy Budd improved. Sandeep Gurrapadi with the guitar did not at first engage well with us. Martin Luther Clark (in shorts) is impressive as is the mezzo Alexandra Meier. Abraham and Isaac. BBC Phil with Rumon Gamba who was very dramatic and passionate in the Pathetique. Sinfonia da Requiem then Anna Thorvaldsdottir Metacosmos which is a serious work.

Tuesday was a day off so headed for St Mary Huntingfield which has a fine ceiling painted by a Victorian vicar's wife then to Bramfield which has a separate bell tower. To Southwold Adnams brewery shop and coffee and cake at Two Magpies. Liz went to DIY shop. To Dunwich museum which is well worth visiting and the beach where we had delicious fish and chips.

Wed 14 June Britten song trial. Started at the Pump House where Alexandra Meier sang Cabaret songs. We just got to the Moot hall in time for Martin Luther Clark and Lisa Vandersmissen harp. The death of St Narcissus, Hymn from suite for harp and William Croft the acoustic is not great. Due to a mixup got a credit for the other recital which was at the same time! Final in the parish church Roderick singing Purcell. Stephen Billy Budd aria and Abraham and Isaac both much better. Britten studio Knussen chamber orchestra with Ryan Wigglesworth Elliott Carter with Evan Hughes (there seemed to be little correlation with the singer's line and the accompaniment) and Mozart. Met James and Liz Shirras and David Tabraham-Palmer and his wife from the chorus!

15 June CBSO and Kazuki Yamada. Holst Japanese suite. Britten Nocturne Ian Bostridge seemed tortured and excellent horn Elspeth Dutch. Elgar 1 splendid.

16 June to The Red House to see Gloriana exhibition and Mary Potter and another look at the displays.

BBC SO with replacement conductor a Finn. Not so keen on Sairaho and Thorvaldsdottir AION but Mahler 1 was great.

17 June have read 2 and a half books enjoying the garden and birdsong! Sinfonia of London. Roddy singing Sally Beamish Four songs from Hafez. Sorcerer's apprentice Fountains of Rome. Rachmaninoff Symphonic dances. John Wilson on great form.

18 June to Mass at Leiston and met Catenian and Christopher MacElhalton and Deidre over coffee. To Friston village gardens and church. Tipi reception met man who owns a John Piper! John Wilson conducting Scapino, Summer night on the river, Britten Scottish ballad for two pianos and a great end to our week Elgar 2. Dinner in River View restaurant splendid views and birds and delicious food. Cardiff singer of the world final won by Italian bass! 

Monday 19 June set off at 10. Stopped at Flatford Mill for coffee and shop. Lovely RSPB garden. Home by 2. Hot all week so had a rest. 

Tuesday Spidir AGM and excellent talk by Peter Tyler. Safeguarding talk. 

Wed organ recital by the scholar who is going to the Abbey. 4 at interfaith group and a good discussion. To Catenians and a delicious meal. PP is away but circle happy to support showing of The Letter.

Thurs 22 LSiUk meeting and I have to draft letter to bishop of Nottingham. 

23rd July music list and Mick came. Jay Blades East End a good series.

24th 3 girls came to play organ at Caterham fair (not a big footfall) and one of them is learning keyboard at St John's school. Had lunch and then to Ashcroft theatre for Jurassic adventure with Henry basically a panto with dinosaurs. Mass at Beckenham.

25th played Moore on Aurelia and Trumpet voluntary and we sang Bread of the world. Meeting and found out new vicar installation is Sept 25th so Bridget West will play. It's a shame. Songs of Praise sorted for 2 Sundays. 

26th 9.30 out and home at 9 p.m. Windor via Slough and Elizabeth line. Garrison church - good to see youngsters playing so well. Lunch at Marks with Sylvia. Read in the library and found Bachelors acre. Evensong in the chapel was very good and what a treat to finally play the organ (Harris). Lady scholar said well done! Pretty tired. 

27th Henry's sports day. To Guys and hearing aid mould is too big and new one ordered. Missed quiet time as we went for lunch at Toby carvery on voucher. Clare. 

28th to QEH RPO concert of Adrian Sutton's music including his violin concerto - very enjoyable. 

29th swim, art and finished swans painting. Jonathan Holmes played well at Fairfield but perhaps bordering on the vulgar? A reasonable audience. Decided not to go to OJ gathering so Mass at Beckenham with Ashley. That guy played too loudly. Jigsaw. Sewing bee and NHS repair shop.