The organist librarian

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.

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.

Swam 20. Liz at Acton. To British library - trains late but had enough time to read the Ueda articles and then to Senate House. Staff helped to find larger miniature scores which were actually full scores! Bus to Mount St and 1.05 Mass at Farm Street for the Assumption. The priest hummed and hahed a bit and was dull - nothing sung. Sr Campion was at the Mass and had a lovely chat lasting 2 hours. Mount Street centre being refurbished. Had to get sandwiches at the hall and looked after queue while 2 of the ladies went to the pub! The preProm was Dame Monica Mason talking about Nureyev. Saw him with Fonteyn in 1973 in Romeo and Juliet. Loved the prom RPO conducted by Charles Du Toit. Stravinsky, Lutoslawski concerto grosso - 3 celli soloists. Quite noisy. Debussy and Ravel. Love Daphnis and Chole! Pity there was no chorus!