The organist librarian

Woke at 4.30 a.m. and looked up Westminster catalogue for scores as suggested by John East. Watered garden as it was hot. To the hall and took photos of CBeebies characters outside hall and did some sketching Louise, Ciaran, Candy and Jonah arrived and I could see them in the box from the gallery. There were only 3 up there! BBC Phil conducted by Stephen Bell were excellent and the different presenters collected sounds. Surprised there were no characters but enjoyed it. Had an ice cream  and then to V and A to see modern Indian paintings and protest objects which was fascinating. Sketched a silver rosewater ewer. Had an overpriced sandwich and tea at RGS garden Travel photographer display and then to Mary King's workshop on St John Passion. More there this week and tenor next to me strong voice but behind. To M & S and saw Fr John VN's secretary. Told Fr Christopher there was a good photo of him in Lourdes. Told Alistair had met Master musicians lady. Present to Fr P...

To Proms composer David Horne's chamber works and interview and his new pieces were interesting. He seems to do fast music rather well. BBC Phil including John Bradley played superbly for Juanjo Mena who for a Spaniard showed a great love for English music. Walton's Variations on a theme of Paul Hindemith are beautifully written. So is Moeran's violin concerto (new to me) beautifully played by Tasmin Little in a sparkling gown. Enigma variations never fail to hit the spot and we had lovely lines. Saw John East.

Thursday started weeding music scores - just like the old days! To Two brewers for farewell to Liz Sines who ran the childcare training centre at Battersea Park. So nice that her family came and nice food and white wine. Chatted to Meryl and Daphne. Always got on so well with "upstairs" and they were pleased that I went. Liz was baby sitting and helping with shopping on Friday. Home to watch prom Britten Sinfonia da requiem (on train with score but new radio Liz got me not so good) Prokofiev piano concerto No. 1 and Shostakovich 7 - stunning playing by BBC Welsh SO. Friday M was gone. Left at 2 and to Lambeth Palace exhibition. Told at 3 to come back at 4 and there might be tickets. Visited museum of garden history which was quite interesting. At 3.45 men in suits said no more tickets, closed so I protested. My only chance to go and I sent a furious email on my return home. You cannot treat public like this. To M & S for Earl Grey tea and a croissant. To Royal Albert Hall...

To Town Hall for Unison meeting about discrimination at shortlisting stage. To the Albert Hall to queue for prom. Given a numbered place so able to go to Royal College of Music for chat between Stephen Johnson, Piers Burton-Page (he used to come to Southfields library) and Rob Cowan about British music. Bax Tintagel for the Proms and Malcolm Arnold! The importance of hearing music live rather than just on CD was stressed and promming proved this. I was lucky to get a chair in the arena - pays to come early! I chatted to a nice man who had heard the Moeran Symphony performed. I did not know it but loved it! The Finzi Grand Fantasia and toccata for piano and orchestra was another unknown and ideal for the Proms. Best of all was Elgar 2 which was very moving - I felt goosebumps. Vasily Sinaisky conducted the BBC Philharmonic. On return home (452 and train straight away at Battersea Park) found only Moeran recorded on HDD!