The organist librarian

Listened to BBC singers prom from Cadogan Hall on radio. Good programme. Parry, Holst with scores. Had falafel salad at Union.Sparse attendance at Prom 51. Parsifal prelude, Strauss 4 last songs sung by radiant Malin Bystrom. Dausgaard launched into Per Norgard Symphony No. 3 an impressive opening organ and bells but oh dear it was just loud waves of sound. The talk had not really told us much - "a modern masterpiece" always makes one nervous! Home to find match just ended. Ontrain watched Proms extra and spotter prommer in NYO, 2 songs of praise. 

Thursday swam 23. Watched women's open water swimming in the Serpentine - amazing stamina. To the Russian display in Kensington Gardens about the winter olympics. 20 minute wait and no explanation - just like St Petersburg! Turns out a guide tells a group of about 30 about the films on Russia, the sponsors, transport, modern developments and a rather good 4D film about winter sports. Sochi looks like a great place on the Black Sea but with mountains nearby. The African village is closed and the park looks occupied. To the pre Prom about Per Norgard who is 80 and unable to travel so Ivor Hewitt spoke about his music and we heard a string quartet and Dances from Jupiter for 4 saxophones based on actual sounds from the planet! It was interesting and even amusing. The prom was great BBC Phil 2 Sibelius symphonies 3 and 6, Grieg piano concerto with Steven Osborne, Delius Cynara with Roderick Williams, The Norgard symphony wasn't that exciting. Late prom tribute to Ivor Novello with...