Mahler 6

To 8 a.m. Mass at St Mary's - Canon Collins and a good reader. The congregation mumble the responses and at communion the whole congregation stands up and queues round the building! Had a friendly argument with Pat Ryan. He says crossing Our Lady by not singing hymns to her in May led to Paul and I leaving Addiscombe. Strange that we both ended up at the cathedral - did Our Lady have a hand in that too? This made me miss train so waited for 337 bus. When I got off it a taxi came at the right moment. I said to the driver you are heaven sent. He was Muslim and remarked on this comment. So I said we are all heaven sent. Got to All Saints Putney Common at 10 a.m. Strange Greening setting and a poor Eminent organ. I played Watson In memoriam Howells, Eric Smith and Jerusalem, Bus to Putney Bridge and to Mary King's workshop on "Nixon in China" - tricky to sing and learn. Met Stephen from Bath who knows Pat and Keith Bennett. He came to Di Mario's for an excellent pizza and ice cream with white wine. Avoided Carpenter's recital but saw Shepherd and Stephen Disley waiting to speak with the muppet. Stephen said his technique is brilliant. I think he could play CC off the stool! To pre Prom talk on Messiaen and Mahler 6 with 3 BBC musicians instead of Leipzig ones. Took hearing aids out for the Messiaen - it was very loud! The Mahler was brilliantly played and conducted by Chailly.