The organist librarian

Friday 40 lengths - meetings at work. Choir practice a bit frustrating again - "I don't like this" is hardly helpful and a comment about Gareth Malone's talent did not please me. Saturday was a quiet day catching up on things and went to the recital at St Dunstan Bellingham by Paul Derrett. A fine Hill organ which came in the 20s from Chapel Royal St James Palace. I followed the Trumpet minuet of Alfred Hollins with the score - top C sharp on the pedals was not working. We also had Handel, Bach, Wesley, Elgar, Wolstenholme and Robert Cundick. I missed second half. Had tea with Andrew Cessana, Christian Strouver and Tom who goes to St Michael's recitals. There were about 50 there. To vespers and Mass and as I was early I met John East in the cathedral. Last night of the proms on TV - an odd mixture of songs about death (Purcell and Mahler) and Ketelbey, Arnold, no Sea songs. Excellent trumpet playing from Alison Balsom and Sarah Connolly sang beautifully. Enjoyed ...

Woke early so looked at the Proms prospectus and commented on the BBC site about no Henry Wood sea songs on the Last Night. Instead we are to have Gerard Hoffnung and Ketelbey - which is funnier? To Coulsdon and went well although I think I could have played better. Haydn Mass, Thatcher Come ye faithful, This joyful Eastertide and Howells Saraband. Terrific noise of bells and gongs and organ before the hymn version of Exultet to "Woodlands". Coffee and sherry afterwards and people raving about the singing on Friday and today so that's great! I practised afterwards including Mendelssohn 3rd sonata.