Benjamin Britten

Practised before service. I woke at 5 a.m. but got back to sleep eventually. Played Boyce Solemn March, Parry's Tranguilly and Darke from Little Parry book, Statham Divertimento on Monkland. Straight home and via underground to South Kensington as buses affected by cycle race. Choral workshop on Spring symphony by Anna Flanagan as lively as ever. Tenor next to me Ian Jones from ALlegri singers Bromley felt like me she could have covered more ground and not spent so much time getting bits right. The whole point is that we want to sing the music and get a feel for it. Tea outside at Victoria and Albert and had a look at the Jain manuscripts display. To PreProm talk about the concert and really enjoyed it. It was a repeat of a concert conducted by Britten himself in 1963. Purcell Chaconny (newly arranged by Jody Talbot in Hamilton Harty style!) Cantata misericordium with score - beautiful, compassionate, Sinfonia da Requiem (score) and Spring symphony (score). New torch makes a difference! Watched NYO prom on TV Britten piano concerto.