The organist librarian

A rare opportunity to hear the Ralph Downes organ in St Clement Danes. Jack Gonzalez-Harding RCM played Wood sea songs, Howells and premiere by Geer who I also met. To Serpentine gallery for Grayson Perry then  tea in the park next to bowling green.  Took the boys to enjoyable Adventure in Moominland at South Bank centre and a good lunch at Giraffe. Last night's prom enjoyed Brahms and exuberant Schumann 3. Berg well played and the Larchner was intriguing. The talk about sleep had some good tips eg sleep 3 times a day is normal, do not worry about not sleeping, light is crucial. Work out what type you are. I am early morning awake and second wind p.m. sleepy after lunch. An enjoyable Prom with French music influenced by the Orient including Saint-Saens, Lalo, Franck and Delibes. I fell asleep during the talk on djinns. The problem was Ian MacMillan standing between the two guests so they were not speaking directly into the mikes. Elif Shafak is usually more interesting! Met C...

Listened to proms recordings Delius violin concerto with score played by Tasmin Little and Nielsen 5. To pre Prom talk with Dutch violinist, English flautist and French cellist both studying at the Royal Academy. The audition for the orchestra is daunting playing to a camera! They re audition every year. The Prom was conducted by Daniele Gatti who came up to the gallery to be interviewed for TV. Superb strings Wagner, Berg violin concerto with a lovely encore (Bach) Strauss and Ravel and Wagner encore.

The house is now a delightful cream colour - first coat done today. It was warm but not too sunny. Liz did all the stuff on the ladders but I managed on the small ladder and it is now easy to get out onto the back roof through the new window. Vincent Coggin was due to sort out the organ today but he never eang with the time of his arrival so still have not met him. To Prom and we were early - met cathedral interfaith group member can't recall her name! An interesting programme of Honegger, Castiglione, Berg and La Mer very well played and conducted by Oliver Knussen. Thin audience. Home in an hour and picked up a blowup bed from Josie's for Liz to use. David Barrett died of pneumonia - so sad. Watched James Cox on British master painters - excellent programmes.

Another lovely sunny day. I waited for Ann to come on Skype but she must have been out. Liz went up to Grandma's to see the carpet man and visited the hospital twice. I got the train to Coulsdon to plan music for October and November with Vickie. Norman Harper now at St George's cathedral, Southwark gave an excellent recital at St Michael's which overran! It included a Handel concerto, Buxtehude and Bach. Then a delightful voluntary by William Russell and "Lucis creator" by Thomas Hyde and commissioned by Norman. Debussy Arabesque No. 2 worked really well on the organ and the Final from Vierne's Symphony No. 6 to a rousing conclusion. Had a chat to Martin Ball and saw Adrian and Terence. In fact it was a day for meeting people - Mary, Bob Atkinson and Trevor. I dropped in the invite to the Catenian clergy supper at St Chad's and the secretary said her son used to be in the children's choir! Omelette for lunch and I did the ironing while watching the HD...