The organist librarian

To 10.30 a.m. ordination of 3 deacons. The music was indeed splendid. Howells, MacMillan, Byrd. Well done David Knight, Adam Dora and Axel. Lovely singing by the Frideswide girls choir from Oxford at St Matthew Westminster. Particularly liked the Robinson canticles and RVW The call. For once the judges of BP portrait award got it right although I liked Resting red headed girl with dog. Robert Seidel last year's travel award winner produced some fine work. The choir of St Matthew Westminster directed by Nigel Groome were excellent at cathedral Mass for Trinity Sunday - Caesar, Britten and Tchaikovsky.

Swam. I took the lost student card I found at the bus stop back to Brit school - his mother was very grateful. Also picked up the CD left in the old car from Newton Honda. To Worth Abbey for the funeral of Fr Charles Hallinan 91. It was a happy occasion in many ways - such a good, kind man. He spoke of the importance of prayer of the heart and singing Magnificat after confession. Lovely organ music and Faure Pie Jesu and Sanctus. Oddly on a retreat there I was at the funeral of one of the monks attended by Buddhist monks so I have processed to the graveyard twice. Lovely peaceful spot. Saw Paul Ryan (in choir), Fr Philip, Dom Aidan, Chris, Stella and got waylaid by Oona van der Poole from West Norwood! Actually watched England beat Colombia in World Cup with a beer at Acton! A hot morning in the library. 600s a mess as were the 700s. To Hinsley room Spirituality Roger talking on the coming of the Spirit. Found good quotes in books by John Main and George Appleton.BP portrait award at...

Swam 20, new hearing aids at Guys hospital, welcoming at the cathedral, Royal Academy summer schools and summer exhibition (some lovely paintings) BP portrait award at National Portrait gallery, met Liz for dinner and enjoyed Jenufa at ENO. As always I preferred Jean to the winners. Schools stuff rather disappointing. 

Swam 20. Fast lane closed for life saving exams which meant we had fast and slow in one lane and the awful woman with the handbats charging up and down the middle. One lady was wearing spectacles! Enjoyed Pappano's series on voices especially Janet Baker. To CML and got some full scores. I was lae at the cathedral for guiding but there were 6 on so left scores in locker and went to the National Gallery.  Soundscapes interesting but variable. Nico Muhly and the Wilton diptych worked well creating the right atmosphere as did the Lake Keitele picture. National portrait gallery BP awards I went for the egg tempera double portrait and the 2nd prize winner!   Lovely travel photos of the year at Royal Geographical Society!  20 pages cut in La Valse and programme order changed but still enjoyable! Mozart, Messiaen and Ravel piano concerto. We went to the bar between Proms and had ale. The Sinatra was good and we left after an hour. People were dancing in the gallery and mobile p...

To the National Gallery to see Metamorphosis around 3 beautiful Titians. The Mark Wallinger did not appeal but liked the films about the ballet and the poetry. To National Portrait gallery to see the BP awards - I seldom agree with the judges. Also looked at the Olympic stars gallery. Old No. 9 to the hall - next week will seem very strange. The meeting with Roger Wright and Chris Cotton was pretty bland - none of my points were raised. Lighting in gallery needs improving, prommers hate the rope in the arena and the enforcing of no food. Coughing and late comers were other issues. Alwyn, George Lloyd, Hildegard, Bax, Arnold and Haydn were composers mentioned and an Archers prom? The concert by the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Haitink was splendid. Murray Perahia played Beethoven 4. Bruckner 9 - at start of slow movement lady fainted in front of us and hit her head on the floor. A doctor was quickly on the scene and the medical team. Watched paralympics coverage.

Monday swam 38 and Tuesday 36 - John was there. Slow lane very crowded. Heard end of Scriabin symphony No. 1 from Prom. Novelists in their own words with interesting archive footage but fell asleep. Tuesday 17th had to sort out rubbish bins all wet and flies. New cleaning contract not working well and tea towels and hand towels not being cleaned any more! Had staff meeting. Left at 2.30 and to Tate Modern to see Gilpin's slides in Exposed (rather sad and bitteer sweet images) and Francis Alys's fascinating films. To National portrait gallery to see BP portrait award - not happy with first prize winner picture of her dead mother. The whole question of intrusion into privacy is raised by these artists although her mother did give permission. To Hinde St church for Merlin rehearsal with Rob Lane the composer who is very unassuming. Shostakovich 5th from the proms and Arvo Part St John Passion. Programme about man who tried to swim the Amazon.

The finished silk paintings! 24 lengths on Thursday and 34 on Friday - Dan was there and I was in fast lane again. Liz to Bath with Grandma. The second recording session for "Merlin" went well although more music was produced on the night again! I laughed at the bass who reacted to Rohan Atkinson, the Australian composer's request for a low E flat "Easy Skippy!" Tuesday and Wed rehearsals and recording on Thursday at Islington. Had a chat to Hana about her family. Friday after work to Trafalgar Square and enjoyed BP Portrait award exhibition at National Portrait gallery and "From Corot to Monet" at National Gallery. Back to NPG for excellent harp recital by Keziah Thomas including Faure and Paul Patterson "Spiders". Lots of people about and young man on 4th plinth singing and playing away! Trains to Feltham and checked in at Travelodge. Breakfast not until 8 a.m. so to Asda to buy supplies. Bus to Heathrow Terminal 1 in good time - their ...

Wednesday Sarah gave us an excellent day on Sacred Space and Tamara added another dimension with copies of labyrinths and her puppets. I spoke about going across the swinging suspension bridge at Capilano, Vancouver and how the first step in anything is always the hardest. You also know you have to come back over the same bridge and the treewalk had similar suspension bridges - all perfectly safe but still scarey! Sarah played the Faure Pie Jesu and Haydn's "Achieved is the glorious work". It is good that I can hear the Faure now which was sung at our family funerals and feel the peace and hope in the music. I went into St Paul's bookshop and got some free literature about the Year of Paul. Saw Paul Moynihan who asked about the chamber organ in the cathedral. It is from St John's Upper Norwood for the recording next week. To National gallery and spent some time looking at the exquisite Wilton Diptych. It had been Canada Day in Trafalgar Square on July 1. To Nation...