The organist librarian

2 baptisms at St Andrew's - both older boys who grabbed the mike! The music was straightforward "Guide me O thou great Redeemer" "Spirit of faithfulness" (to Blow the wind southerly - shades of Kathleen Ferrier) "Just as I am" (to "Saffron Walden") and "Colours of day" (not a favourite of mine - very suitable for cremations - so light up the fire and let the flames burn. What does the line about the sun dying mean?) The setting was the Hurdy-gurdy one by Norman Warren with the Agnus sung to "Caswall". I played Nobilmente and Toccata by Dom Andrew Moore and at a communion a plainchant based piece on "O sacrum convivium" by John Lee and a Stanley slow movement. Afterwards spent time rehearsing "O happy day" with the children and some adults for the wedding. After all this work the bride has cold feet and we are not singing it after all! Still it gives more time to rehearse the other pieces on Saturday! Vi...

Liz to hospital to help Mum come home - diverticulitis was the cause. Liz stayed over night with her. I went to Coulsdon to discuss hymns up to the end of September with Vickie. It was one of those days for missing trains and buses so i was late at St Michael's for Ian Harrison's recital. He is director of music at St Stephen's Bournemouth so played Whitlock, Mendelssohn Sonata No 2 and part of the Elgar sonata. Most enjoyable. Lit candles for Mum, Dad, Grandma and Padrerob! To Westminster Cathedral for Martin Baker's recital. Saw Andrew Cessana there and Ian. A splendid evening and a good audience! Beethoven Coriolan overture really worked well with reed stabbing sounds and gentler second theme. I cna do without Jean Guillou - I am not a fan! Liszt Fantasia on "Ad nos" was beautifully played. Then we had 3 tangos by Guy Bovet - the first illustrating a cat most charmingly. The finale was the March and Galop from "The Bartered bride" taken at a furio...