The organist librarian

Just watching the TV of the late night Prom I realise I definitely fell asleep in the concert - no scores to follow! The Tallis scholars are good but I do not like the sopranos Emma Kirkby tone!

Up at 6.20 and to vigils and lauds. Gave Liz the special card with our photo and told her about the spa package and champagne tea at the Montcalm. She gave me a lovely card and a lovely ring. Breakfast together and Louise and Tom went picking your own. Mass at 11 a.m. was farewell to Tony Hemson the organist. Only knew one of the Laudate hymns but a good setting by Peter Jones. Blessing for us by Fr Nicholas in St Benedict's chapel and then to the Parish centre but the people even those who had been on pilgrimage with us were not at all friendly! Photos outside and then an excellent carvery lunch at Hedley Lodge.Lovely framed tribute from family and hanging from Carol. Family and Carol left after lunch and had a nice rest and listened to the War Horse prom on radio and after Vespers and Benediction with Dennis the Prom of Strauss and Elgar 2 on TV so missed Compline. Dennis to the station and had wine and sandwiches in the room. Monday a little late for vigils - could not hear bel...

Swam 20. Took Liz to St John's for the pilgrimage to Walsingham. Decided not to go to British Museum as the talk was on Lamma a Sumerian goddess and the National Portrait Gallery piano recital was of Ravel so stayed home and did mosaic. The letter C one is now finished and I have sorted out what needs to be done. Have repaired Philip's mosaic as well. Watched Come dine with me from Australia, Flog it and listened to Temple church Tavener concert on ClassicFM. Saw mouse so moved trap in front of cupboard door.

We both went to St Paul's cathedral for Sons and Friends of the clergy. The noise beforehand was bad so I tuned my aids off and sketched a lampstand! Peterborough and Wakefield cathedral choirs sang well and we heard Tavener, Bernard Rose, Kenneth Leighton and Elgar Give unto the Lord written in 1914 for the festival. Hymns were Disposer supreme, Christ is our cornerstone and For all the saints. Dean preached well and ended with Brewer Marche heroique. I went straight to Willesden Green and found the Muhammadi centre in Walm Lane. Sayed spoke well but Dr Shah-Kazemi did not use the time well and I dropped off. The ladies did not get their questions answered and many left when I did before the prayers! The person singing the earlier prayers had a fine voice. It was a pity they used so many Islamic terms.

To doctor Ojo who sucked wax out of my ears and showed a 2nd year student how to do it. Liz went to osteopath and I went to St Mary Abchurch. Ian Shaw played Bach loudly and rather sloppily. He also played Handel and Hylton Stewart at which point I left to get to St Mary at Hill to hear James Johnstone playing Bohm, CPE Bach, Sweelinck and Scheidermann. A very good player and Liz joined me there. We went to the Angel and walked along the Regent's canal to visit Jean in her new abode at Bridgeside Lodge nursing home where she has a nice view of the canal. Her neighbour Jenny came. Liz went to Acton and I got the 4 bus to the Temple church for evensong for the Annunciation. Excellent choir although one alto tended to anticipate Roger Sayer's beat. Parry prelude on Eventide, Tavener, Burgon and Robert Parsons. Whitlock Paean on the refurbished organ. The Lord Mayor Master Woolf was there and they went off to dinner in their finery. Car was at Selhurst as our journey home last nig...

Interesting exhibition about the organ with videos and 4 wondrous machines. Radio 3 In tune in the foyer and chatted to Robert Fraser. Saw Drew Cantrill and Liz and I ate at Giraffe. Alas I misread the programme and did not realise the talk was in the QEH so we listened to the youth choirs instead. The concert was brilliant with John Scott (immaculate Bach Passacaglia) Jane Parker-Smith (Franck Fantaisie showing off the colours) David Goode and the diminutive Isabelle Demers (Mendelssohn and Dupre). New works by Maxwell Davies and Tavener were effective. Alison Balsom played Bach brilliantly. Gigout with brass ensemble was a great start. Surprised to see Jane Allen there, also Chris Town, Geoff and Andy Scott.

Swam 12 as I was late. Liz went off to college. I finished first draft of the article for Xavier. Also finished reading Mark Barrett's Crossing. To St John Smith Square to hear Martin Baker. Excellent Bach and de Grigny. Effective Reger and a sparkling improvisation on a jumpy theme! Apparently he was not too well  -you would not have guessed it. It was good having the screen. The Klais is very fine and a reasonable audience. To Royal Academy to see Sensing Spaces. Fascinating use of light and natural materials by architects. It was great to see the film and to be able to interact on IPads. I loved the Japanese use of cedar wood for the scent and light and the lovely forest with birchwood. Also being able to climb up to the ceiling of the grand rooms. I am considering not renewing my membership of the Friends - the tea room was very crowded again. To National Gallery to see the Vuillard - his technique is fascinating. One tends to miss him against all the Monets and Seurat. To tea...

To cathedral early to serve at Mgr Ralph Brown's funeral attended by several bishops and the cardinal. I was crosier so was able to congratulate Archbishop Vincent on getting the red hat. John his chaplain remarked on the Pope's letter and the need to pray for him in his new service. Michael was quite scathing about Pope Francis so I pointed out that everybody I meet praises him! The choir sang Victoria Requiem mass. Lots of priests there and a very nice lunch in the hall. Came home to go on Global Net webinar with Andy Love MP. Liz took washing up to Dennis's as our washing machine broke down. I was back at the cathedral for evensong sung by St Paul's cathedral. Taverner Coll Reg canticles which are effective and Arabic in feel. Malcolm Boyle Thou O God. I saw Martin Ball. I looked for Liz's hat but didn't go in the common room instead went to Pret. Ismaili centre for 7.30 reception and lecture by Prof Zakar on Muhammad's life. A large audience - Jon dal D...

It is weeks since I went swimming. As I have had a chesty cough and cold it is not a good idea and I have been waking in the early morning. I do seem to have lost some weight since Christmas 10:2 at the moment. Monday 30th took Bruce and EJ to IKEA and Boots in pouring rain and they went to the National Portrait Gallery. Liz and I went to Clapham Picturehouse to see Saving Mr Banks which was excellent. Fascinating the clash over what should be done to Mary Poppins - do children want a softer version? Excellent songs and the flashbacks to Australia were very well done. Home to see Sacred Wonders of Britain. 31st grouted the mosaics I made yesterday - Bruce kindly cut the MDF for me. I have now made 3 of the Walsingham ones and 2 Keep calm and pray. Bruce and EJ went over to Louise and Tom's as they had a baby sitter. We went to the Clapham Picturehouse for 4.30 to see the Berlin Philharmonic New Year concert live conducted by Sir Simon Rattle OM with Lang Lang playing Prokofiev 3. ...

Thursday swam 14 - the lights were not on when I arrived and mentioned to Clare that the emergency lights should have come on which apparently they do not do which is crazy! Ordered flowers. Liz was at college. To see Fr Paul and 2 hours - the only Christmas items now in Advent are on Advent 1. Gradual hymns instead of psalms and carols agreed. Left my diary but traffic was too heavy thanks to the Goat house bridge closures. Did not go to Tredici concert or the LJS lecture. Watched the Zoo. Friday finished Hilary Mantel's Bring up the bodies - brilliant! Liz's birthday flowers came. To the Palladium for Dame Edna Everage's farewell show. The first section with Sir Les was awful with lots of rude jokes and offensive comments. The second half was very funny and we all got gladioli to wave and take home. We saw Michael Parkinson getting into a car. John Tavener has died - how sad! We once met him at an airport.

Been following Bruce's flight progress across Scotland! Reading texts for course and listening to recordings of evensong - splendid Taverner carols from Clare college 2008 and Lichfield cathedral. Dennis rang.

Liz to college. I was acolyte at Mass attended by Aid to the church in need conference. Archbishop Mennini was the celebrant and Archbishop Ignatius of Kos was the preacher. Emmanuel was a pain! So much fussing over a bishop's lost spectacles!  Choir sang Howells Salve regina. To St Stephen's Rochester Row for coffee and cake. Excellent Kamerkoor Cantate Dutch women's chamber choir conducted by Dion Ritten. Michael Haydn, Taverner, Holst, Wood and some little known composers. Their tuning was immaculate! And their expressions excellent. I liked their outfit too - black trouser suits with purple lapel decoration. To park next to Tate Britain for picnic and reading Lipner article about Hindu theology which is very heavy going. Wait for bus (affected by massive anti-cuts demonstration) so tube to South Ken and 345 to Allen Hall. Arrived in plenty of time to rehearse with Derek Hyatt. He is a Liverpudlian former Anglican from Chiswick parish. Good to see Brian and everyone ver...

Produced a poster for interfaith group in 2012 - 6 discussions on Meeting God in Friend and stranger on 3rd Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in Hinsley Room. I do not have time to arrange speakers or visits! To lunch at Streatham Quaker house - lovely vegetarian and fish dish cooked by Alan. And a good turnout too! More Taylor on return home. Listened to excellent evensong from Portsmouth - Taverner, Praetorius, Wills, excellent plainchant from the men.

Woke early, swam 20 and loaded bits of drawers and cupboards from snowy front garden into car and then to Glyn Close into 2nd skip. Also threw out carpet. To Camden town hall for boroughs interfaith forum. I was late but that bit was about More than Gold. Interesting discussion on the relation between councils and forums. To the Renoir cinema to see "Of Gods and men" - very moving film about the murdered Trappist monks in Algeria. To British museum to see prints Picasso to Meurette and fine Buddhist exhibition. Met Pat Kahn Battersea Park reader. To Church House bookshop and bought calendar for Ann and Paul and "Cathedral music" magazine which has a photo of both of us serving at the cathedral. To Westminster Abbey evensong Clucas introit, Brahms motet and Taverner Collegium regale canticles. Psalm 90 to minor chant by Lang. To Balham - got prescription - only one pill! Met Liz Shaw the photographer. Liz Jensen met the reading group - 16 came. She was excellent. I ...

Maundy Thursday arrived at church to find Vincent Coggin had been and disconnected the flute but was unable to tune as he had no assistant in Holy Week - a lot of use! I used the piano for some of it as we sat in the transept. Vickie washed feet for the first time and we sang "To mock your reign". Psalm 22 went well at the end. Liz was at the cathedral. Good Friday Liz left the car at Victoria for me as she attended the liturgy. I got the train at King's Cross and had a quiet time after the rehearsal. Had a simple lunch at M & S and saw the end of the procession outside King's. Went to evensong at King's with the men only - plain chant and a 3 part motet. The performance went really well and the composer was most complimentary - I never got to speak to him. Jean and her friend accompanied me on the train home - a fleet of taxis got us to the station in good time. What a wonderful work it is! Saturday I was working but I did hear bits of the broadcast and it so...

I have been dipping into the biography of Tavener. Watched Don Carlos on Iplayer, spoke to Dennis for his birthday and watched play on Gracie Fields and documentary on her life. My Dad was very keen on her. Johannian came with my full article about the school reunion and a photo of me with eyes shut! To Terence's to have tea and watch the Westminster Abbey Remembrance for World War 1 service attended by the Queen. Excellent sermon from Rowan Williams and an effective new anthem "The Peace which passeth understanding" by Tavener. Ian Bostridge sang Britten's Agnus Dei so well. To Vic and Albert and enjoyed the Islamic gallery - once again the musical instruments were closed off. To cafe bar above Natural History museum ice rink for a cappuccino. Lovely carousel but no stalls this time! To Holy Trinity behind the Albert hall for chorus carols rehearsal. Ridiculous to have people trying to sing Bach without scores. John Rutter Gloria is fun and much influenced by Walton...

On Friday evening when I was walking in Battersea Park I saw a large rat next to the lakeside. I suppose one forgets that rats are very close to us throughout London but it is still unnerving to see one sitting there very calmly. Saturday when driving through Herne Hill, I saw an altercation outside a shop with men arguing and hitting each other. So many drivers act in this aggressive way too cutting you up at the lights. Adrian was saying that he does not drive if he can help it because of this. Swavek gave an excellent homily on today's Gospel about the call of Matthew and how the sinner can be called to better things. Matthew who we read this year A portrays a compassionate Jesus. We all fall short so often but still we can know that we are loved as a beloved child (my thought on Wednesday). It is a pity that Adrian is not coming to the wedding not least that he is unavailable to play for it, but I still think the family group could get together on the day before to prepare an I...

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...

Chris on great form at Understanding Islam. The Quran claims Jesus was born in the desert - what of 2000 years of tradition about Bethlehem? What of the Eucharist and Passover - have we all got it so wrong? Chris Goodchild led the spirituality day linking the Alexander technique to the theme of "Beyond Desire". His section from Gerard May's book on desire "Addiction and Grace" was most interesting contrasting addiction and repression. "after 20 years of listening to the yearnings of people's hearts, I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God". During the quiet time I sat in St Andrew's chapel in the cathedral which has fine mosaics of Istanbul and St Andrews and the lovely cross. I found a quote from "The Imitation of Christ" which finished the day well. "All that matters is the cross and dying on that cross - there is no other way to life and real inward peace except the way of the holy cross, and of dail...

To Lakeside home to sing carols at the simple communion service conducted by Bev. It is so hot in there and many of the elderly have dementia but it was appreciated. Sally gave me a lift home. Liz was baking rolls and mince pies - very delicious. Why does one eat so much at Christmas? I recorded King's carols as I had to play for crib services at 4 and 5 p.m. (an hour earlier than last year). What I heard in the car was excellent. There was lots of kids at the services. I played some French noels. On return home King's were on TV finishing with the stunning Tavener God is with us. I recorded from TV the Midnight Mass from Westminster Cathedral and this was stunning. Liz was serving at First Vespers, 6 p.m. mass and Midnight. I had a sleep. Bruce went to St John's. Coulsdon Midnight went really well. The Haydn Mass is just right - full of joy. Carols round the tree and we ended with "Ding dong" which we had not rehearsed. Stille nacht at the back. O holy night at c...