The organist librarian

-2 and 468 late so missed 407. Light snow! Palm Sunday was always special for Dad as that was the first service he played. We sang Ah holy Jesu. Played Kauffman on St Theodulph, Brahms Herzliebster Jesu, Walther Passion chorale. A young man appreciated Tears of grief - he had been listening to St Matthew Passion yesterday. Britten rightly said that the Passion settings should be heard in Holy Week. Orange cranachan for lunch dessert. Death cafe was very interesting. Palm Sunday evening service not so exciting - Fr Andrew was a bit of a liability. O sacred head too loud! Daniel said he had read the pamphlet about Augustine and original sin. Boys and Louise arrived. great to see them. Watched The Durrells and a remarkable interview with Janet Baker. Part of Victoria. 

Up at 8 am 20 minute drive to Caterham.Anne-Marie Garton celebrated and preached on gifts. I took my organ card. Played Gant Paean, Sumsion Cradle song and Noel Suisse. Packed car and drove to Acton. Prosecco! Boys busy doing amazing lego. Spoke to Dennis in Dublin.Tom excelled himself turkey, ham, pigs in blankets, all delicious. Presents and I now own a Kindle! Sleep and pudding. The Queen as wonderful as ever and featuring a young choir. Slept soundly through Strictly come dancing Christmas special! Lots of TV catching up to do. Sadly missed call from Bruce Woodhouse  Delicious late breakfast. Liz to Brook Green for servers Mass. Walk to Acton Park. Spoke to Bruce, Dennis, Henry and Ann-Marie on phone.Call the midwife excellent.Traditional carol singing and the boys joined in a bit. The highway rat and French and Saunders hilarious.TV carols from King's very good. The weather put paid to plans for the zoo and Tate modern or Waterman's. French and Saunders hi...

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...

Woke at 6 and Ciarán up at 6.45 - he went to bed late last night with lots of stories about trains. Met Calix and Boyan at the Horniman museum and visited the aquarium then to musical instruments in the gardens and an excellent under5s session with Paul - 3 little pigs and Magic porridge pot. Ciarán joining in and singing away. Had a nice Mediterranean platter. After lunch Ciarán ran out of the doors to the restaurant into a glass wall - really stupid design. He bumped his forehead but was O.K. We took him home and he slept in the car. Listened to Barbirolli conducting Mahler 2 in Berlin with Dame Janet Baker. Ciarán said he wanted to go home i.e. to our house! Still no baby and due today! Excellent pianists at Leeds competition and watched part of Last night of the proms programme. Parade's End excellent.

35 years of happy marriage. Today is the spirituality day I am leading on "To be a pilgrim". A lot of preparation has gone into this and I am now checking CDs including the end of "Gerontius" with Janet Baker singing the Angel conducted by Barbirolli and now some splendid hymns from Westminster Abbey Guide me O thou great redeemer and Who would true valour see.

Thursday's performance in the cathedral was very special! At the afternoon I spoke to Sir Andrew Davis and he signed my score. He remembered conducting the work with the chorus. James Gilchrist was a stunning Gerontius really singing out. I put him up with Stuart Burrowes as one of the finest I have heard. Peter Sidhorn a commanding Priest and Angel. Catherine Wyn Rogers has made the Angel her own and the final section was taken very slowly and tenderly. She bears comparison with my beloved Dame Janet Baker. The chorus did well we think and there was a good audience. Bruce came to sell programmes. We saw Gervaise afterwards and several friends. I certainly enjoyed the experience and it made me think hard about my end and what I have done in my life. Maybe we all need to think more about hell and judgement! Yes there is a loving God who will accept us all and purgatory seems like a logical idea especially for those who have no chance to repent. Othello has a line about not wishing t...