The organist librarian

To East Acton and took Ciaran on underground and then DLR which he loved to Cutty Sark stop. Walked to Greenwich theatre to see Michael Rosen's Great big bear hunt which was brilliant. Very close to the book with puppets and songs and cast of 4 - excellent show. To lovely sausage shop opposite. Came back on the clipper on the river and then underground from Embankment and train to Acton. Ciaran had a great day and we all slept well. Watched Question of sport. Thursday Louise was working and it was damp so James came to play for a bit and later they were going out trick or treat. I served at 5.30 mass with Fr Paolo and the men sang a nice Grandi mass. First Mass of All Saints. To the Tablet lecture by Robert Mickens but being in the gallery it was hard to hear clearly and loop not on. Nice reception and saw Jenny Mitchener, Diana Klein, Mike, Hannah and told Catherine Pepinster I loved the Tablet. The talk itself was a little disappointing. 

Practised and timed recital pieces. First rehearsal of the Couperin chants. I played Willan on Aberyswyth and Ley on Down Ampney, Last hymn was "God be with you" to Randolph by Vaughan Williams - not played that before! After lunch to the hall with our blue folding back supports. Lots of teddies about for the Michael Rosen Bear Hunt prom - lovely to see so many Liverpool kids involved. Ciaran and Jonah really enjoyed it! The conga in the Prom was great and the illustrator Tony Ross was excellent - he signed Rosario's programme and she gave it to me! To talk on Britten. Second prom  Orchestre de Paris with Paavo Jarvi- Part, Britten violin concerto beautifully played by Janine Jansen, Berlioz Corsaire and Saint-Saens 3. Thierry Escaich was just too loud drowning the brass!.

Writing this at 3.25 a.m. having come home late and now woken up again! The joys of insomnia! Proms plus literary Ian McMillan and former Children's laurate Michael Rosen and the poems they chose read by the lovely Imogen Stubbs. The poem had to be inspired by music played at the Proms. The 8 year old winner wrote of the bright cat inspired by Liszt's first piano concerto. The older child's poem seemed pretty remote from the Firebird to me but the adult winner was clearly inspired by the Lone ranger and William Tell overture. All the poems we heard had an element of surprise and worked well. The Pittsburgh symphony orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck played Braunfels Fantastic appearances on a theme of Berlioz, Beethoven piano concerto no. 4 (score) Helene Grimaud and Tchaikovsky 5 (my score). Stunning playing and brilliant encores too - Carmen and an American dance. What an orchestra! Notable that they play before and during interval too on stage.