The organist librarian

Tim Posner and Sophia Rahman played superbly at St John's coffee concert and a good audience too! Romantic Schumann Fantasiestucke and Romances and Beethoven cello sonata - such expressive playing! This has to be the best Saturday concert I have been to at St John's! Printed labels fro the exhibition. Vespers with incense and Mass for Epiphany with Fr Daniel. We sang As with gladness and Bethlehem of noblest cities.

Finished the book about Savute. Beautiful coffee concert at St John Upper Norwood today billed as Tim Posner. The piano trio played Rachmaninov Trio elegiaque and Schumann trio No. 1. The latter has a last movement where I felt Schumann was trying to convince himself all was well despite his depression! Soulful playing from all especially the cello (who I think is the son of the LMP principal viola). I spoke to the young violinist who hopes to go to Basel. What a treat and I did some sketching.Fr Michael Quaqoe celebrated vespers and First Mass of Epiphany lots of incense. We will miss him when he goes to Rome to study for his doctorate. Heard the last act of Otello with Stuart Skelton (we have seen him in the role at ENO) and Dudamel making his Met debut. Chester Zoo. 

I went back to tai chi today after a long gap thanks to the Proms, Spain and Belmont. We did a Japanese exercise The Cycle of Life.  Benjy Bloor  played superbly at Brompton Oratory. That organ really speaks like a voice singing! Good to see  Marko Sever  .Nice to meet Benjy's wife and they enjoyed Bali. Marko is playing at the cathedral Jan 28th. Saw Paddy Russill and Charles Cole. 

Lie-in. Did not go to Gallery prommers picnic or Oscar Romero mass and film at Southwark. Instead had a quiet day at home as Sunday is a long day.  Catching up on proms Schumann cello concerto and Hindemith and NYO TV prom. Ades Polaris sounded far better on TV than in the gallery. Schubert unfinished and Mahler 10 very moving. David Owen Norris talk he is a genius. Liz was at Mass and arrived at the start of the Prom. Parked at West Norwood because of match and home by 11. 

Swam 20. Played and sang some Messiah and Dichterliebe. Elektra from the Met at Gate cinema. Stunning playing and singing esp Nina Stemme but the drama is harrowing. The final page sends shivers down my spine!  Met Freda who used to come to the Proms.  V and A for Paul Strand photographs and films and a ceramics demonstration by Wedgewoods. Amazing ceramics section and enjoyed tea, did 2 sketches and the British section where I watched film on country houses. Then to final oil painting class. Very pleased with portrait of Liz and so was Nelson Ferreira. Liz pronounced it "quite good" Divorce proceedings to follow after all that work! Sean had an off day and joined in a little at Tamar's. He wanted to go to the toilet alone at lunch at Watermans and I refused. Picked up Liz and we both slept. To Meopham and all went well depsite being late. Brendan Fitzgerald was held up and we went to pick up Kevin but he had taken Brendan Foley home thinking we would not get there in t...

Swam 20 some twinges in knees. Long chat to Ann especially about Mum and Dad's anniversary - 8 years! Cleared some of the stuff in back room and put up baskets. This meant that I missed the event at St Paul's and Lairence Caldecote at Beckenham. To Balham library ro return a lot and pick up one score. Early at hall so visited Royal College of Music museum which has Elgar's trombone and more besides.Talk about Icelandic literature and Iceland SO under Ilan Volkov gave us Schumann piano concerto and Beethoven 5 and 4 unknown works.

Liz and I swam - I did 20. Yesterday little woman removed my bag from the disabled change room and did not answer knocks on door. Liz reckons she was having chemo. I cleared the patio and rearranged it. Fixed wires to the fences. Spent a lot of time doing Catenian invites to clergy and widows. Listened to Festival Hall organ concerts. Thomas Trotter was brilliant and Andy Scott gave a good interview. Poulenc and Berlioz very good.

Up early and swam 20. Helped with bibliographies while Liz worked on the essay and reflections. Hoovered and cleaned kitchen floor.  Watched Britten and violin chamber proms on Iplayer and Schumann Piano concerto on TV. Pre-prom talk on Mozart in Vienna - Third programme style! Lovely prom from Mahler chamber orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding. Mozart led straight into Schumann Symphony 2 which confused the audience. Mozart Piano concerto 25 and Sibelius 7 - such joy! Elizabeth from St John's gallery along with a load of people with squeaky shoes. The lady next to me introduced me to the organist of St Bartholomew Sydenham who is interested in the Hayes vacancy.

Liz to morning prayer and preparing for confirmation. I worked on the essay up to 3200 words which is good! I missed playing Wyton and Thiman on Veni creator! To 12.15 Confirmation with Archbishop Vincent. It was hot and long. Sad that the sequence was again said! I got the food from the kitchen to Vaughan House for the simple party which was pleasant especially as the outside area was available. I went to 3 p.m. recital by Thomas Trotter at Methodist Central hall where the organ has been rebuilt. He played from memory Handel concerto, Schumann and the Elgar sonata. Stephen Disley was there and met a man from Madras! Liz to evensong and took plates back. I had a shower and listened to 2 items from the choir book for the Queen with the score. Church Music by Julian Philips sung by Truro and Sincerity by Michael Finnissy sung by Wells. Both difficult but beautifully done. Wells also sang Skempton and Howard Goodall's Love divine.

Swam 38. Dennis and AnnMarie spent their first night in their new home and not changing curtains! Spoke to Rosemary and Lyn on Skype. To Bromley Parish church train to Penge West and 227 bus to turn pages for Daniel Beach - excellent playing and Daniel Burrowes cellist very good. Saint-Saens, Schumann, Vivaldi, Faure. Good audience. Got an apron at Early learning centre for Ciarán. To Royal Academy to see Hungarian photography. To Royal College of Music for session with Matthew Hope on the programme for the evening with violinist, oboe and trumpet very Gallic. He had us doing polyrhythms and instrumentalists improvising spring. 2nd in queue and Myung Wun Chung conducting Webern, Brahms double concerto and Rite of Spring. Saw Roy Parker from Bromley Catenians. Bizet Carmen encore and soloists played an elaborate duet encore too. Great concert. Did not stay for Schubert quintet - too tired!

To Westminster Abbey - I was late so was greeted by the Dean in full rigout! A splendid service with msuic by Palestrina and Child. Wesley's Ascribe unto the Lord and a stunning commission Vast ocean of light from Jonathan Dove. The hymns were the Old 100th, I heard the voice of Jesus say and O praise ye the Lord. Horrid Messiaen at the end! Saw Adrian, Terence, bass from the Nicholson singers, Dorio and Anne Walsh from interfaith group. It doesn't work as well in the Abbey. Good sermon from Lord Griffiths. I did not get to speak to John Hawes. Nearly walked into Whitehall and missed student protests - police closed it off so tube to Temple for Matthew Martin's recital of Peeters, Schumann and Francis Pott Toccata. Oliver Brett was there.

Monday the oversize books got filed into the main non-fiction sequence and Chris and I moved the whole lot round to accomodate. Exhausted! Watched Halle youth orchestra programmes and programme about British writes in the 50s and 60s in their own words. Schumann Symphony N. 2 from the Proms. Tuesday a day's leave. Swam 36 and to New Addington - optician very happy with my eyes and no need to change glasses. Long chat about music as usual. Clearing stuff from upstairs ready to be recycled at Emmaus. Evensong from St Mary's Edinburgh.

Busy day weeding music scores and dealing with game plan and Chris D came. Met community policemen. Fell asleep and woke to find Liz home from G & S show which she had enjoyed. Roisin was in chorus. Laughed a lot at "Rev". Lovely midday prom featuring Haydn quartet and Schumann Piano quintet.

Liz stayed home. To Coulsdon and found pedals not working at all as bottom C and D were stuck. Also lights on console were off - Bob found the fuse. I abandoned RVW Rhosymedre and Karg-Elert our wedding anniversary pieces and played good old John Stanley on manuals only. Nobody seemed to know "Mount Ephraim" to "For all thy saints O Lord" which is odd as we have sung it before. Teresa apologised about the email muddle up for Friday's funeral. Ann had kept aside Fairtrade muesli, biscuits and yoghurt covered raisins for me. Practised despite lack of pedals. To Croydon M & S, Debenhams, Allders and eventually Barratts where I found some Hush Puppies sandals which can be adjusted and are comfortable - £35. Unheard of for me to go shopping and loads of people about. Tidied up garden and swept patio so we could BBQ and have lunch outside for the first time this year despite the weather we have been having. New laptop on charge. Listened to prom - Schumann and Joh...

Watched Tutu discussion on whether religion is good for Africa on Iplayer - I missed the others in the series. Spoke to Ann. Hoovered downstairs and washed kitchen floor. Glued drawer and organ pipe together again but drawer will have to be replaced. To St Michael's. Ilya Kudryatsev was unable to come from Switzerland because of volcanic ash stopping flights again so Martin Ellis of Dorking stepped in at short notice and played Welsey, Arne, Schumann, Karg-Elert and Widor. Bridge Adagio was left out! I am enjoying Eric Siblin's book on Bach cello suites. Lit 3 candles one for Grandma. David, Ken, Howard, Frank Millington, Gervase and Terence all there. Bus to King's - Grandma more cheerful and saying more - counting and whole sentences. Clare dropped in. I missed Rosemary and Lyn's visit by seconds yesterday! Watched Young apprentice with Lord Sugar. Same formula as before. 5 lib Dems in cabinet - Vince Cable is Business secretary, Nick Clegg is deputy PM! Will it last?

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.

Thursday swam 36. To chorus to rehearse Merlin again. Alexander Livingston came about work experience next week. His mum had a lot to say! Friday pool closed - glass door shattered and both pools must be drained. So bus to Croydon, tram to Wimbledon and underground to my old haunts at Southfields library (all for free) and library looks great. Carol had done lovely Questseekers display in children's. Senior forum went well and I made some suggestions like reminiscence training and more precautions against swine flu. Home to watch prom - Scottish chamber orchestra brilliantly conducted by young Canadian Yannick Nezet-Seguin - Schumann Piano concerto, Pulcinella, Mendelssohn 5. Watched Classic Goldie part 1 and his struggles to compose a piece for the proms.

Saturday took snacks to work and enjoyed the doughnuts! It was quite quiet and the park very pleasant. Lots in The Tablet again! At the choir meeting we did discuss discipline again and I pointed out that I did not always hear what people said and this could be worrying for me. I do rely on people asking to repeat sections if I am singing as well as playing. I should do most of the talking any way. To Vespers on High altar and Mass followed by procession to end Quarant'Ore. Liz was thurifer and I was acolyte - my candle went out in Ambrosden Avenue. Hugely amused by David's head popping up over the playground wall. Excellent singing from the Oratory school schola - Langlais Messe solennelle and Mendelssohn Lauda Sion and Cibavit. Home late and Liz went to Lerone's party in Streatham. Sunday choir sang well Gibbs 3 part setting and Attwood "Teach me O Lord". I went to cello and piano recital by David Tabbat and Guy Middlemiss - delightful Schumann, Faure, Ravel and...

To see Vickie and hymns chosen to end of December. To St Michael's - 60 there. Graham Powell of Limpsfield plays well. He played Vierne Hymne au soleil, Buxtehude, Howells, Langlais, Karg-Elert and Stanford Postude in D minor. I was a little puzzled by the Langlais Trois meditations sur le sainte Trinite. The programme notes said the St Anne fugue was present in all 3 movements but it eluded me! Home for lunch and then to Hinsley Room for interfaith group meeting. 6 came and we discussed the prayers for the Jews and others on Good Friday as in Anglican and Catholic liturgy (Alan Gadd kindly provided the Anglican ones). To National Gallery for a recital by the Seleljo duo saxophone and piano. They were born in Ukraine but educated in Hungary and Erzsebet is studying at the Royal College. She wore an attractive 20s style dress and plays really well. John Carmichael was present for his Fetes Champetres. Other works by Demersseman,Decruck, Tzkacs, Zador and Bonneau. To cathedral for Jo...

Pretty exhausting day Tuesday. Swam 36 lengths and No I did not use the car! Only 3 staff on in the evening so unable to go to Catenian provincial council meeting. It's in Sittingbourne which is a 70 mile drive. Harry Mellor of South London circle rang and offered a lift so will take him up on that. Plus I have to take leave to go and be bored all evening so what's the point? Most of it could be done by email. Watched University professional challenge won by an impressive team from the Ministry of Justice who beat Salisbury cathedral last night and National physical laboratory this evening in the final. Watched Songs of Praise from Edinburgh with interesting material about Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Bobby and David Steel's ancestor. Fell asleep! Oxgord trip booklet now revised by Chris and looking very impressive. Have at last finished James Naughtie's "The Making of music, a journey with notes" which is a useful historical treatment with some interesting com...