The organist librarian

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.

Now to catch up using a very full diary! Aug 2 spirituality day with Fr Robin Burgess - having not seen him for so long I had forgotten how good he is! The chorus was much occupied with carols and Liz only sang in one of the concerts. Louise, Tom and Ciarán came over on 11th to consult Clare about breast feeding and once that had happened he regained his birth weight and all was well. He had been back at the hospital on the 9th. 7th to tai chi group Christmas lunch at excellent Italian opposite the library. 8th Liz at servers council. I missed Catenians on the 7th for obvious reasons! 9th Unison committee meeting. 10th to ENO for "Messiah" for some reason both of us thought it started at 7.30 instead of 7 p.m. so we stood at back of gallery for first part - the singing was superb. Some of the staging was odd but we did enjoy it. I think this work is so popular that it must be hard to be original. Some of it was rather twee! Lots of shaking hands and the chorus should have mov...

Thursday's performance in the cathedral was very special! At the afternoon I spoke to Sir Andrew Davis and he signed my score. He remembered conducting the work with the chorus. James Gilchrist was a stunning Gerontius really singing out. I put him up with Stuart Burrowes as one of the finest I have heard. Peter Sidhorn a commanding Priest and Angel. Catherine Wyn Rogers has made the Angel her own and the final section was taken very slowly and tenderly. She bears comparison with my beloved Dame Janet Baker. The chorus did well we think and there was a good audience. Bruce came to sell programmes. We saw Gervaise afterwards and several friends. I certainly enjoyed the experience and it made me think hard about my end and what I have done in my life. Maybe we all need to think more about hell and judgement! Yes there is a loving God who will accept us all and purgatory seems like a logical idea especially for those who have no chance to repent. Othello has a line about not wishing t...