The organist librarian

Swim, Mass at Thornton Heath nice to see Clare , art just drawing and setting up visit on Wed to exhibition. At the Baglioni Hotel which used to be the De Vere where we had our wedding reception. Delightful Italian high tea with chocolate Baglioni tea and chocolate treats. Liz had rose tea. Prosecco. Delightful recording at St Paul's Knightsbridge by  the BBC singers with Richard Pearce of German romantic music. The highlight was the Schubert. Attractive Clara Schumann, Mendelssohn and Brahms. Great to chat to Paddy Russill and Robin Martin.

Lovely concert by Emma Tring, Robin Martin, Anyssa Neumann and Tristan Horne at St John Upper Norwood and great to meet the composer Andrew Toovey. TheAlas no cantor this evening so most of the Mass was said. I think the Macmillan sanctus could have been sung as it is not responsorial. Johnny sang and played at vespers.  Jonathan Dove and Christopher Fox were particularly fine and really liked Andrew's Almost. 

Swam, Balham library for scores and Waitrose, art and did 3 large drawings. Excellent talk on Shakespeare and acting by Michael Pennington. Shakespeare prom was fun with Walton, Finzi, Sullivan, Jody Talbot, Porter and Rodgers and saw  Robin Martin  playing.

Lovely concert by Emma Tring at St John Upper Norwood especially the amazing Ariel by Jonathan Dove - the sea in one shh sound! Lovely to see Robin Martin  and Mary and all the kids! Liz's cakes very good! Lunch in the garden.  Magic Prom at the Sam Wanamaker playhouse with Arcangelo. The venue is perfect for Purcell, Locke, etc. Is this a Prom first? A bass trying to kiss a tenor? Hilarious. Beautiful singing too from Katherine Watson, Samuel Bodsen and Callum Thorpe conducted by Jonathan Cohen. A special mention for the percussion and theorbo! Got to the cathedral in time to do incense at vespers. Liz at Gershwin John Wilson prom - now watching it on BBC2.

Friday to work until 11.30 a.m. then train to Crystal Palace. Adrian's mum was 91 and a dear. The funeral was lovely with Faure Requiem, And I saw a new heaven, Justorum animae of Stanford, All my hope and Thine be the glory. This fitted well with the gospel of Mary meeting the risen Jesus. Elgar Sonata No 1 from Chris Moore at the end. Kit conducted and Nicholas Ansdell-Evans played. He said he had been doing Walkure in Salzburg with Rattle! Adrian played Bach beforehand. 2 of the grandchildren who are in Birmingham cathedral choirs sang in the large choir. It was very moving to see Beverley touch the coffin and speak so well. Robin Martin was next to me and Chris Wardle sang too. Lovely eats and a good chat to Beverley about spirituality -I missed her January evening alas! To choir practice and we started work on the new Oxford Book of flexible anthems and Byrd 4 part Mass. The CD helped a lot. Watched a programme on the harp and the sad life of Hughie Green.