The organist librarian

To match first reading played Mendelssohn Elijah "It is enough" and "Lift thine eyes". Quite tricky as solo voice on choir clarinet and cello solo on Great. Stanford on St Columba and Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3. I thought I played it rather well but John remarked it needed more practice and a rallentando and drums! Cheek! Rehearsing Mahler Adagietto, Pachelbel Canon for the wedding and Dad's suite also Brewer Marche heroique. Anne-Marie Garton sang well and a good sermon. What a frightening experience! Mass at St Mary's 25 minute sermon on Elijah. Fr Celestine again! Tony Moynihan has died aged 93. Lunch then to two great Proms with a fine discussion on Dona nobis pacem with A. C. Grayling. Joshua Bell Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens, Bridge and Beethoven. Boulanger, Elgar, RVW. Beautiful singing from Sophie Bevan and Edward Gardner conducted BBC. Saw Chris Tew.

At service today played Rhosymedre (played at our wedding) and Intrada of John Ireland also voluntaries on St James, Ratisbon and Malcolm Archer on Evelyns. At the end I substituted Karg-Elert with Mendelssohn Elijah section about the wind, fire and earthquake and still small voice to fit the first reading about Elijah. We sang Dear lord and Father of mankind after communion. Fr Paul had been at St James Elmers End 50 there with choir and servers. He said 120 turned up last Sunday for the baptism. I chatted to the family whose baby will be baptised next Sunday (not at the Eucharist). We had Devonshire honey cake made by Sue using the honey from the hive in the vicarage garden - delicious! I woke at 5 a.m. but reserved scores. Prom at 4 was Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Joshua Bell - Beethoven 1 and he played the Bruch. Sir Neville Marriner who is 90 conducted Walton Henry V which used the organ and choirs effectively. At 7.45 the NYO conducted by Edward Gardner were ...

Left home at 8 a.m. and we got to Acton early so found Adan's cafe and had coffee. Coach was early and we reached Cardiff after one stop around 1.30 p.m. Rehearsal went well. To St David's cathedral for mass - unaccompanied hymns and people saying everything faster than the celebrant who was probably the Dean. The reredos is most distracting during Mass - too bright and dramatic with diamond shapes. The concert went very well and Owain Arwel Hughes on good form. Bryn Terfel was the best Elijah ever - commanding, fantastic diction "leap upon the altar" a good example. Ohter soloists very good including the boy. Jean and Doreen there and the Judds. Chatted to Christopher Allsop the organist of Worcester cathedral who was playing. Ian Ball has left to go to Gloucester, Roger Judd to Hereford from Windsor. Left 10 p.m. and with one stop at Acton by 2 a.m. and home in bed by 2.50 a.m. having slept on coach and finished "Arabesk" by Barbara Nadel.

To work early but no sign of pickets. Alvering library was closed and we closed at 5 instead of 7 because there was no senior available. I was the only senior all day and it was busy. Rather nasty drunk Irishman had to be asked to leave - not pleasant. Tony Tuck of the Battersea society had some interesting comments on the Power station plans. The strike seemed pointless as the government say there is no more money for us. To the cathedral for first part of mass - the platform on the scaffolding is now in place. To Elijah rehearsal as last night - Edward kept us and mixed us up but it seemed pointless. Excellent series on Channel 4 on seven wonders of the Islamic world.

Thursday our wonderful library system came up trumps yet again! When we visited Vancouver, John Fulton's wife Yolande told us about the Everard family of artists in the Eastern Transvaal and the book about them called "The Women of Bonnefoi". I duly looked this book up on Amazon (no copies available) and found it was published in South Africa in 1970 and Frieda Harmsen wrote it. On "What's in London libraries" I found the sole copy at Westminster Reference library. I rang them and the assistant duly rang back to say she would keep it for a week. So I went to St Martin's Street behind the National Gallery and read parts of it. Pity the illustrations were so poor as they were clearly a talented bunch! To Elijah rehearsal with Owain Arwel Hughes who seemed very happy. Much of Edward Caswell's legato style went out of the window as expected. Liz had to leave early to go to Homerton hospital as Bruce went in to have a cyst removed from his behind. Gill sa...

To St Peter's Ealing for the funeral of Joan Price alto in the chorus for many years.She was 85 and had chosen all the music herself. Stephen Rose played. We sang "He watching over Israel" and "Gaelic blessing". Hymns were "The king of love", "Angel voices ever singing" and "Love divine". We also went to the crematorium where we sang "Soul of my saviour". Stephen played "Cast thy burden". It was a lovely funeral and our singing was much appreciated. Stephen's wife Moira sang a simple song "In this very room". The organ is fine Bishop originally and then Walker and a splendid church with an excellent vicar Mark Powell. Good to see older members of the chorus there including Irene who I used to lunch with at the BBC. Jean Taylor too. Back to work and lots of emails! To Catenians. Liz went to hear Bishop John on reconciliation.