The organist librarian

30 lengths and drove to work so car was available near the library after the concert. Just in time. Finished at 1 and after lunch to Victoria and Albert to see the wonderful new ceramics gallery. I'm not into ceramics but I was impressed. The glass gallery is also very fine and the sculptures. Had a brief look at the special exhibition about Fear and death in contemporary design - unimpressed. To Royal Albert hall for rehearsal and concert with Northern Sinfonia. Jonathan Schiffman a 29 year old conductor did well. Alex James from Maestro did Khachaturian Adagio - his tummy was hilarious! Carl Jenkins conducted his Benedictus (very slow and lovely cello solo) - spoke to him as Liz says his wife recognised me at the theatre in Bath - she used to use Putney library. It was packed and a good programme. We sang Carmina 1, Zadok, and 1812 (fireworks!) The Priests sang Panis and Pie Jesu of Lloyd Webber. They signed our CD and Liz said they were charming. They seemed reluctant to take a ...

At St Andrew's we sang "Mass for Hilary" by Richard Jones who is now Jo Richards. It worked well to transpose the Sanctus down a tone to G minor. The anthem was "O Lord increase our faith" by Henry Loosemore which echoed today's gospel from Luke. Hymns included "Let all mortal flesh", "Dear Lord and Father of mankind" and "Now thank we all our God" so I ended with Flor Peeters' fine prelude on "Nun Danket". As the Refresh service was on I came home rather than waiting to practise and produced a report on Friday's choir meeting. We had a taste of Morocco for lunch. I hoovered and washed the kitchen floor. Choral evensong last Sunday was from Westminster Abbey and this week from Lichfield featuring Stanford in G and Howells Paean. The Classic FM 15th anniversary concert sounded good despite a boomy echo effect - the BBC does these broadcasts from the Albert Hall with closer miking I think to avoid this. The Verdi...