The organist librarian

To St John East Dulwich for recital by Graham Powell which was excellent. Had a long chat to Graham Hempstead from East Grinstead. I was late because I was wrestling with IKEA shelving basket brackets but all now installed and back bedroom sorted out at last. I was so hot had another shower. Djokovic beat Nadal at Wimbledon but only just! Preprom talk on original story of Daphnis and Chloe and the first ballet versions. What a lovely prom Faure Pavane Mozart Piano concerto 27 and Daphnis and Chloe. Bravo RPO and the choirs! It was good that Liz got there in time from the cathedral.

To Mass. Went to Battersea to get mosaics but found room locked as flower arrangers not there. Contacted Pat and she will let me know when I can go again in the morning. Home for lunch. Played for 2.30 funeral at Caterham. No coffin! We were told very little about Carole apart from her love of travel and arranging trips through the Miller centre! I played Faure, Vierne, Moore and Handel. To preProm talk on Sargent - he was a Christian and stayed in England during the War working incredibly hard. First conducted at 14 and Henry Wood allowed him to conduct his composition. He saw himself as the music not the musicians for whom he had little empathy denying them contracts and pensions! No wonder they did not like him!  I first saw him when I was aged 14 when my Dad arranged for both of us to sit in front of the huge Johannesburg Town Hall organ. Harry Stanton played the organ for The Planets and was shown how to do the glissando with both arms! For some reason we wore evening dress p...

Swam 20. Sang part of the Faure Requiem, Byrd Ave verum at Fr Tom Stevens' funeral at St John Upper Norwood. A good sendoff I think.  Deeply shocked to learn of the passing of Gerrard Goodhind Catenian and provincial newsletter editor and above all a great friend  To the Russian revolution exhibition at the Royal Academy and I as much taken by the work of Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin and did a sketch of Midday Summer which has an elliptical horizon! To Newman House for an excellent talk "Are all religions the same?" by  Damian Howard  SJ and did some useful networking. Eugenie was there. Good to see Stephen Wang and his Dad and Carolyn Morrison.

Clocks went back an hour. Woke too early and dozed off. Up in good time left home 7.35 a.m. but on way to station in the car had to reverse up Dixon Road for a white van. Result missed train to Purley from where there was a bus replacement service. To Selhurst from Norwood Junction and to East Croydon. No trains to Purley so got bus 407. On organ at 9 a.m. Lourdes Gloria and Gathering not on sheet so did Murray. For all the saints cut to 5 verses and no procession. We sang "Holy is the true light" fairly well. I then started the communion hymn in D instead of F and realised on the second line so changed to F. I have never done that before. I think the travel disturbed my concentration. I played Howells Sine nomine and Flor Peeters well. Rehearsed for next 2 weeks. Never spoke to Jerry who had postponed meeting about Christmas because Anne Marie had a fall and broke her shoulder bone. Strangely Gisela had a fall off her bicycle and hurt her arm. Julie took posters and had don...

Brilliant virtuosic playing from Louis Lortie at the Cadogan Hall. Catching up on Proms Extra. The bay where we usually sit in the gallery was transformed! Ann now in South Africa and Louise and Tom and the boys with Bruce in Jersey.  To Beckenham meeting which was held outside. Watched The Zoo and Versailles - fell asleep downstairs. 

Swam 20, An inspiring visit to the Way of Mercy in Westminster cathedral with the two artists.  An excellent preProm talk on Poulenc's Stabat mater and a fine Prom from BBC Singers and orchestra - Faure, Stravinksy and Poulenc. Home quickly!

A lovely day for Provincial President's Sunday at West Malling with Bishop Paul Mason. Everything went so well and the music was much appreciated. About 60 came. Lovely to have the whole family there.  Watching the lovely Prom of Mozart, Haydn and Faure King's college Cambridge choir correctly dressed but why are the male soloists and orchestral male players in open neck shirts? Probably hot! Much as I love the sound of King's choir I do think that their general facial expression is so bland. You cannot sing about fear and trembling in the face of final judgement looking like that and I wonder if English choirs often try to copy this sort of face and hence do not convey the music well? Superb treble soloist and when he gets a bow he smiles. Only the large Oscar Wilde lookalike bass and one of the tenors seemed to have any facial expression at all! I think one must know what you are singing about and not rely on the voice alone to convey the expression. Look at the wonderf...

Swam 20. Did the minutes of the Catenian meeting and started emailing about Cambrudge and the interfaith group Laudato Si' series in 2016. To local glass shop and got mirror for the mosaic frame for £15. Posted calendar and other items in West Norwood and got gold tiles. Served at Cathedral chapter Mass. Boys sang Faure Messe Basse and Parry and I was acolyte. Rebecca was there and Richard. Mr M said nothing to me! Tea and then to Initiatives of change for Renewal Arts on transforming power of the arts. June Boyce-Tillman was great and got us all singing. Jodie Marshall from Sheffield told us how theatre transforms kids. Kwame Reed spoke about poetry and drama against gang culture. It was inspiring! To Acton and Sean to Tamar. Renewed Watermans membership as the parking permit was not in the car. Sean seemed a bit off and at one point went in the lift on his own which upset him. He slept for ages. Ciarán loved the presents especially the Peruvian panpipes and animal items. Watche...

SS Peter and Paul played Peeters on Sine nomine, Moore on Aurelia, Titelouze on Annue Christe. Gigout Toccata went well at quite a pace! Crystal Palace station then Spectrum at St John's excellent wind ensemble. 21 at organ recital at St Michael's strawberry cream tea! At the station Count me in session with simple rhythms and saw Sue Carroll and Alan Thomas, Community choir sang a madrigal - it includes Duncan. Then to St John's Spectrum octet playing Faure, Massenet, Debussy and Mozart. Had a chat to Fiona about her paintings based on music and tried a new tea. David Wright did not speak and some of it was ponderous but 21 came and I spoke to him afterwards. Stephen and he both apologised. Nice cream tea and met the organist from Penge URC. Home and Liz came back from first Mass at Hounslow. Dennis came to Spectrum concert including Shostakovich, Sibelius, Holst, Mahler (not so good) and Camilla Jepesson singing Gershwin and the Blue Amen. Nice chat to Fr John. Not many...

I played Faure Apres un reve and Pavane before service - a departure for me and it seemed right for a family Eucharist. Farrell's Share the light went well on organ rather than piano. Paul forgot first hymn and put it in before the readings - the dreaded Blaenwern. Then he said now we sing the Gloria - No we don't! Servant song, Father we adore you and Shine Jesus shine. Bonighton's Ordinary time more or less made a good ending. I have now stamped all the music I am taking over and got 2 boxes from the cathedral for the items to be sold. I have taken my files of hymn tune preludes and index to church. Met Liz at Victoria and we had a delicious brunch at Le Pain Quotidien - I had smoked salmon, egg, pain au chocolat, yoghurt, breads, orang juice and cappuccino. Quite delicious. To ENO for Rodelinda - a clever production and superb singing. The end of Act 2 duet was a high point. My hat was at the stage door! I was lucky as I lost it on Jan 29th and they normally dispose of ...

The Couperin went really well and I felt very confident having played movements in Cambridge. It really worked as an entity. It was the first time I had played it right through with the chants sung. I played the Kyrie movements before the service which overran by 20 minutes - we had 5 long hymns too! It was good of Stephen to bring communion to the organ - I played Benedictus during communion. There was a good spread for the bring and share lunch and Liz came to Kent House. Adrian conducted and we had a good choir of 10. The Vespers was lovely and the Bishop censed and blessed the organ and Pitoni's Cantate domino a perfect choice! Norman played brilliantly - lovely Faure, Finzi and Strauss. 2 fun items and the Bach Passacaglia. It was great to have the screen and watch him play. Lovely tea and cakes! To St John's for a splendid evensong Wood Coll Reg and Faire is the heaven requested by Fr John. Watched Antiques roadshow and Downton Abbey. 

Woke with back ache again. Watched Mrs Thatcher's funeral which was all done in perfect British style - very stiff upper lip. Lovely music especially Stanford in G Nunc Dimittis. Pity we heard none of the organ music from St Paul's but we did get some Albinoni at St Clement Danes. David Dimbleby said De Klerk had said Mrs Thatcher opposed apartheid but she did oppose sanctions. In effect she supported the South African government. The Bishop of London gave a good sermon in which he said the line about "no such thing as society" was a misquote and Barry Mellish in fact supplied the full quote so it was a misunderstanding. To Hinsley room and 6 came for good discussion on Sharing Eden - now have the points for next month clearly laid out. Jon Dal Din was there so I paid for the June walk. The meeting next week at Hendon on Tuesday has been changed to Wednesday to suit Sr Margaret so I won't go.

On bus and tube to Baker Street. Nice toasted cakes and coffee at Weatherspoons and we later had a good burger and beer there for lunch. 10.30 a.m. rehearsal and I slipped on the riser on the stage - wooden and not clearly marked and slippery. My left shoulder bruised, neck and side aches a bit and right shin has scabs where it got skinned. At the time I thought I was OK! The sopranos consistently sang flat so I got on the back row with David from Brighton and Peter! Actually the concert was much better and it was lovely to see Norbert Balatsch and meet his wife. Lots of faces from the past including Keith Chaundy, John Sims, Liz Letsky and Pat Stephens. Fiona, Pam, Eleanor, Muriel and the Shirasses were singing. Nice to do Shepherd's farewell in French. Vivaldi Gloria and Faure Requiem and everyone singing Hallelujah chorus. The conductor Robert was not very good. It was interesting to change the Charles Mackerras room. I took 2 photos from Orange and put them on the display which...

Friday swam 30. Liz busy on essays so I went to sing at funeral of Eva Parker at St John's. Small choir so recording of Faure and Handel used and Adrian played Elgar. Back to choir practice and picked up Marie recovered from her hip op. Had a look at Somervell Passion for Good Friday. Saturday Liz to Heythrop and I went to St George's Beckenham for launch of book about School of English Church music and Sir Sydney Nicholson. John Henderson and Trevor Jarvis spoke and played early recordings. Martin How and Harry Bramma also spoke. Nigel Groome played Harris and Willan. At evensong choir sang Nicholson in D flat, Knight Christ whose glory and Martin How conducted his lovely Ave verum. Stanford Postlude and Caesar chant for psalm. Hymn tune Chislehurst by Nicholson. Helen Murphy, Bob Prizeman and Alan organist from Dartford there. Bought the book and Henderson's dictionary of organ composers reduced which I always wanted to own! Train to Victoria and Fr Paolo at vespers and M...

To Heythrop for conference in Loyola Hall with 3 authors on their book about the uniqueness of Christ and other faiths. The Baptist Dan Strange was so patronising and offensive using YWYH and idolatrous. Gavin D'Costa from Bristol university billed as a trad Catholic thologian proved to be a bit muddled in presentation. Paul Knitter from US was much more to my liking with his open approach. Had picnic with Sister Jo and a Sister of Zion. Michael Barnes spoke to me and met Katarina from the Bishops conference introduced by Damian. Spoke to Archbishop Kevin - he said "something to do with Addiscombe I can't even remember what" so I just said I was at Heythrop and Westminster Cathedral. Our lives were wrecked and he can't even remember! It was a worthwhile day and met some interesting people including a former MA student. One of my questions was asked - the one about using YWYH. To Kensington High street to get mousetraps (I saw a mouse late one night in the lounge)...

Sunday stayed at church. We sang "Rejoice in the Lord alway" (anon) and I played Bairstow and Statham on Veni Emmamuel. We sang carols at Clifton and Crystal homes and it was much appreciated. I took the keyboard back to church and took Caroline home. Tried to print off Christmas letter without success but emailed it. Drove to Acton and on cookery course at Prue Leith's for the week. At first a muddleup over the booking and cheque but Liz started Intermediate and I on basic key skills. Monday making pastry and crudites with hummus and Tuesday delicious mango and chili salad with spinach. Demo on roast dinners - lovely meat. Wednesday made Italian bread and filleted sole with difficulty. Baby sat Ciarán. Tuesday to mass at the cathedral - the boys sang Stanford's A song of wisdom, Rorate coeli and Faure Messe basse superbly. Fr Alexander sang Mass beautifully and homily on St John of the Cross. To talk on Newman and friendship by Fr Seward from Oxford oratory - interes...

Sat a.m. long chat to David Briggs and he signed my Franck. He was hilarious about Langlais and falling in love with a beautiful girl and being rejected! If you have experienced this you can play Franck! I was up early for 6.30 a.m. Vigils. At Mass we sang Alan Rees Mass of Peace and visited his grave. Excellent sessions from Dom Brendan on "Nothing more beautiful" ending with a meditation on the Our Father. Sunday up early and conventual mass of Christ the King - Orbis factor, Rejoice the Lord is King, Hail redeemer, The king of love and Christus vincit. Vierne No. 1 from Brother Stanislaus at the end. Final session before lunch. Taxis to cathedral and attended service for road victims. Lovely music - Faure, Goodall, The organ did not help in A touching place. Franck Prelude fugue and variation at the end. Got food for supper in M & S and wine left from Sat night. Exposition with lots of candles and vespers. After compline played the organ - old keyboards and loud! Bach,...

Early start as first service at 9.30. We sang Beatitudes to Greek chant really well! At second service with Royal British legion a good bugler but not told we were starting as late as possible so played Thalben-Ball Elegy, Solemn melody, Nimrod and Willan on St Anne and they came in in silence! Pie Jesu of Faure went really well (2 part version), St Anne fugue at the end. To Memorial hospital Shooters Hill an hour's drive in time for lunch and saw the memorial. To Firepower museum Woolwich for interfaith service with film. Fr Scanlon led it. National anthem to a recording did not work - band too slow and ran out of music in verse 2. Cup of tea and Hindu contact and Peace pagoda monk there so asked about a visit. Home and not to evensong - bit tired!

Dennis came last night and visited Grandma who moved wards. To St Cyprian's for 2 rehearsals with Nick - it is starting to go in. At lunch time I went for a walk in Regent's Park and found a lovely garden with a stature, crocuses, snowdrops and pansies. Cappuccino at Pavilion cafe next to tennis courts. On bus with Andrew and bought meal for 2 in M and S. Canon Christopher at vespers and Mass. The Byron choir from Harrow school was excellent - Byrd, Shephard. Newsletter does give Lent group on Wednesday but nothing about quiet day! Picked up Dennis at King's and I prepared dinner - trout, Mediterranean vegetables and profiteroles with Ke wine from Chile. After dinner played the piano for once - Clair de lune, Faure, Nimrod, Dichterliebe.

To St John the Baptist Purley for Catenian mass for deceased brothers - only 5 of us there. Canon Jim presided and directed the irritating servers! Sat with David and met a gentleman I met at CASE conference! Picked up Liz - it was chorister for a day at cathedral so Paul was at the Mass. Caught up on HDD recordings and watched the fine Royal Albert Hall Royal British legion festival of remembrance which has been updated well. Sunday to church in suit wearing poppy and Dad's little RAF service ribbon as he always did. Both services went well and we sang Thou knowest Lord and Faure Pie Jesu in 2 parts. I had a lot to play including Last Post and Solemn melody, Nimrod, Thalben-Ball Elegy and Bach St Anne fugue. Good trumpeter at second service. At coffee asked what a modern service meant - seems it is aimed at teenagers. Picked up Liz - Bishop Moth at solemn requiem (Durufle). After an excellent M & S lunch to Southwark Cathedral for interfaith prayers for peace at 4.15. Some peo...