The organist librarian

The boys enjoyed the slime workshop at the Horniman which was crawling with kids! An excellent homily from Fr Sunith at Mass today on the gospel for the day. The devil has many ways of breaching the walls of our household including internet porn, gossip, being judgemental, etc. Benjy Bloor played very well at the drome and since his Japan trip attracted a very large audience so large that the concert started late! I did feel that the reeds were used a lot and that becomes tiring to listen to. The technique in the Bach was immaculate. Watched the Apprentice. Letters to schools and 2 auction houses. 

A fun morning painting with boys! No mosaic, Saw Ros and she seemed more relaxed. Beautiful evensong at St Michael Cornhill. Howells responses and St Paul's service and Faire is the heaven. Parry chant for the psalm. Well done Jonathan Rennert and all involved. Only one caveat the pulpit Mike is not connecting to the loop! Benjy Bloor played superbly at the Oratory but I did get lost between Alain and Hindemith! I also told a young lady she had no right to record the whole thing on her phone without permission! 

Swam, Mass, art, to the tip with garden stuff, broken breadmaker and frame. I no sooner got back and Liz said you forgot the old mobiles. There must be some charity which collects them? She had been to dentist to get tooth fixed disturbed during her medical procedure. To the Abbey for joint evensong. Parry Hear my words stunning. Marenzio Magnificat. The Messiaen was not a good accompaniment to visiting the shrine of St Edward. I love the new Hockney window and the memorial to Stephen Hawking. Ben Bloor played superbly at Servite priory Fulham 50th anniversary of the organ. Pity so few came.

I went back to tai chi today after a long gap thanks to the Proms, Spain and Belmont. We did a Japanese exercise The Cycle of Life.  Benjy Bloor  played superbly at Brompton Oratory. That organ really speaks like a voice singing! Good to see  Marko Sever  .Nice to meet Benjy's wife and they enjoyed Bali. Marko is playing at the cathedral Jan 28th. Saw Paddy Russill and Charles Cole. 

To Caterham and served tea and coffee at church fair. Engaged about carol singing and several people took leaflets. Morrisons car park jammed. Soper Hall crap school choir outside. Caterham school choir and band much better outside Morrisons. Home for lunch. To Ben Bloor's recital at Bloomsbury. Philip wanted me to turn but I had to leave. Excellent playing. Vespers Advent 1 and first candle lit by Fleur. Emmanuel served as his friends were having silver wedding celebration but he was as usual a pain and acted as MC!! Programme on Christies.

Swam.  Bravo  Benjy Bloor  for brilliant playing at St George Hanover Square and great to hear some Howells. A programme full of sunshine incl Hollins and Vierne!  The Found exhibition at the Foundling museum is worth a visit and Ironbaby by Anthony Gormley is very moving in its simplicity. A baby on the floor - a powerful comment.  Interesting works by Colin Matthews and enjoyed the Dresden bells. Das Lied von der Erde with Alice Coote followed by the 16 (actually 34) Bach and beautiful Part. Took an hour to get to Acton.  BFG with the boys. Excellent film and followed by Pizza Hut.  East West Divan with Daniel Barenboim Liszt and Wagner - great sound. The preProm talk on Wagner was a little dull.

Liz stayed at Acton and babysat so she could go to Ciaran's assembly. I went to art and finished the Jersey picture and did the ground for the Iguassu picture. We set off after lunch for Rochester airport and had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn. Had a short swim and to Rochester cathedral for evensong. Purcell in E minor. I felt the young assistant overconducted and there was not enough piano singing especially in Call to remembrance. The 6 men did well but tended to sing rather loudly. Saw Ben afterwards. We were back in time for the Medway Towns meeting and an excellent dinner with Michael and Ubbo Bakker. Slept well and had a swim and sauna and jacuzzi. Very good breakfast and then to St Thomas of Canterbury Rainham where Pete showed us the parish centre and church and we briefly met the new priest. It will be fine for the quiet day in May. Went to hearing aid clinic and I am due for a test and new moulds. He sorted out the broken left one and the tube and cleaned out the m...

Swam 20. To Addiscombe for the funeral which I was dreading but in fact it was a fitting tribute. It did seem a bit odd that the organ was unused beforehand (recordings) and for some of the items e.g. Ann singing the psalm and Sanctus. Nice to see old friends from Catenians and the choir. Kit Bradley's daughters were there Hilary has retired from directing the Woodford Green choir after 25 years! Mary Endacott is in a nursing home. Jo and Paul said nothing but everyone else very friendly esp Fr Dennis. Evensong from St Albans and Come dine with me. Spoke to Sonia about the roof at the front and we will go halves on getting it done. Seems her builder has gone leaving a mess and a disaster! 4 replies so far to the Alleygate idea -  we need all 30 to agree! To the cathedral for Daniel Cook's recital - he plays really well, Willan, Elgar, Bossi and Holler. Not a very large audiece. Had a long chat to Reuben Thomas, Ben Bloor and the guys from Harrisons and Michael O'Leary.

A fun day with the boys - track and games. Lou and Tom stayed later so that they slept on the way home. I went to Vespers and Mass. Liz would not go as we thought it was to be the start of the confirmation programme but no sign or mention of them. Fr Andrew had to get me to get his homily from his chair! Appeal for the Passage and Trinity Oxford sang Hassler, Durufle and Byrd a little hesitantly but it was good. Reception so met Ben Morrell and chatted to Ben Bloor about the Whitlock Paean. Canon Christopher let me out! On the way to the car at Selhurst I remembered I was supposed to have gone to the Sunni event at Tooting leisure centre - I was far too tired! Saw the end of the Winter's Tale.

Acolyte at Mass with the Cardinal for the start of the Year of the consecrated life followed by Mass for CAFOD with Bishop John Arnold, his last Mass before going to Salford. I told him about Ashley Beck giving Evangelii gaudium out at Monday's circle meeting - he was pleased. Saw Muriel in the hall. Fr Michael very nice at 6 p.m. Mass and Advent has begun. Ben played a subtle improvisation on "this is my body" Nun danket and Wachet auf.

To All Saints West Dulwich for Tim's funeral which started at 12 noon. We got there early and the service lasted 2 hours. It was touching and the singing was splendid both from the church choir and the choir of friends. Ian Partridge spoke. James Bowman, Peter Wright, Stephen Disley, lay clerks and the Tobins with Colin Mawby from the cathedral. Norman Harper played Wesley. We heard some of Tim's music and Edgar Bainton, Byrd, Wesley and Purcell. It was all splendidly done but with a human touch catching Tim's eccentricity. Liz stayed for the buffet but I went to Bloomsbury Baptist where I heard John Peacham talking about German chorale preludes and their use. After tea Ben Bloor played brilliantly. He is to be scholar at the cathedral. Wills, Bach, Karg-Elert, and Farrington. I doubt if he will play Bolcom on Amazing Grace at the cathedral. His technique is brilliant and he looks like a schoolboy. He plays in flat shoes which look like sneakers! Confirmation by Bishop Joh...