The organist librarian

What a pleasure to visit Croydon minster. A new Advent piece by Martin How! I played Howells Sine nomine. Lunch at Coffee Time. Andrew Scott gave us a great welcome and St Michael's organ is a joy. Played Elgar cello concerto Adagio. He played Oldroyd and it's great to hear of Harrisons work internationally and in so many cathedrals. York Minster is going to sound fabulous! Amdy said Cameron Carpenter is an arsehole. He would only talk to him through his agent! Fairfield Hall organ is playable but still needs an overhaul. Watched the Royal British legion festival of remembrance. Some great moments especially the descants BUT why Morning has broken ( and sung by a soloist) Bridge over troubled water and the words of the song I am not your son could be seen as objectionable. Are we afraid to mention God? Good to see Jewish and Sikh army chaplains taking part. So a bit of a curate's egg. An abiding memory of the fall of the Berlin wall was the joy of Horst Neumann our East Ge...

Daffodils in Karlsruhe from Ann. To Croydon Clocktower to see the excellent exhibition about Islamic scientific discoveries and their influence on our world. In so many fields Arab scientists and doctors led the way long before Western equivalents. Had a look at the Chinese porcelain and the library. Commented on the plans for central Croydon - need a swimming pool and more green spaces. The library itself seems a little tired and crowded with shelves and people. It does not feel spacious at all. On the second floor I finally found leaflets and posters about local events. The tourist information centre was closed! And this is school holiday time! The Church Times includes adverts for assistant directors of music at York, St Albans and Southwell. Simon Bell is going to Winchester from Southwell and Richard Sharpe is going to York from Truro. To St Michael's for Ian Curror's recital. York Bowen Fantasia, 3rd movement of Elgar sonata, Chelsea Fayre by Goss-Custard (shades of Grai...

A picture of the water feature in our garden which we cleaned up this weekend! Today I went to Coulsdon to discuss a revision of my contract. I am to have 6 Sundays off which is a good idea because I need the rest! I went to St Michael's for the first of the new season of lunchtime organ recitals. Edward Batting played Elgar, Buxtehude, Bach and Reger very well but there was an overuse of the reeds which left my ears buzzing! How important it is in a recital to have variety of sounds. I saw him briefly and he said he did not know about Montepulciano this year.He played last year for the Faure and Mozart on the chorus trip. I popped into Waterstones and the new swish Wesley Owen Christian book shop. The new glass panels for the dining room tables came and we battled to get the new hose together. The picture shows Bruce with the table which is in 3 sections. The middle glass panel suddenly shattered last November and insurance have paid for 3 new panels. Liz went to a farewell for on...