The organist librarian

Dark and cheerless is the morn... Rain and first bus delayed but I caught the second one OK! Advent 4 Flor Peeters and Walther Wachet auf Lloyd Webber on Helmsley. We sang People look East and some Marian hymns. For Mary mother of our Lord such lovely words. The busy world had got no space or time for God on earth; a cattle manger was the place where Mary gave him birth. From For Mary mother of our Lord To St John's for the carol service. The Stopford I found rather dull and none of us warmed to the Whitacre - it needs a big choir. The Shephard Song of Mary works well and we also sang Sussex carol. Sad to find verses cut out of Once in royal. Good to see Adrian,Robert and the Wests. Mulled wine and cupcakes sent by Bishop Beverley. I met Edmund Max's brother who is a philosopher.  Watched The Bishop's wife. 

To Mass and the lovely reading of the Visitation. Delightful recital at St Stephen Wallbrook by Jonathan Dods and eats and chat to follow. Sebastian and Ray were there. The lady doing the teas gave me some nice foliage for our wreath. The turner over also played well - he is 13.Tate Britain if film makers must win the Turner prize please provide seating and make up a cinema. I liked the sculptures in the Duveen galleries but hated the enormous slugs on the front. They are just horrid! I avoided Burne-Jones as I do not like the pre-Raphaelites. To choir practice at St John's for the carol service. The Whitacre is tricky.

A delightful lunch with Rosemary and Lyn Callan, A superb prom from Glyndebourne Entfuhrung aus dem serail - wonderful singing and acting. T he smelliest man in London near me during tonight's Prom - not nice! Later Liz saw him getting Linda to thread a needle to sew a split in his trousers! Fab dinging and acting from Glyndebourne cast! I spent the first 2 acts sitting at the rail with my score which amused me as there was a long spiel in German and a very short translation beside it!  Watched Eric Whitacre Prom on TV on return home. Lyn is 75 tomorrow! 

Enjoyed playing Enigma variations. To match the first reading sections from Mendelssohn's Elijah. It is enough as great as any Bach aria! Also played Hurford and Willan on Song 34. The Eric Whitacre prom was an Experience! Loved The River Cam and the whole thing. I asked a question at the D.H.Lawrence but it was not broadcast. Pity It was about his style of preaching and repeating his points - very Nonconformist!  The Beethoven 5 and Berlioz Prom was well played but attracted a Hooray Henry crowd drinking wine, taking photos and coughing!

Tuesday wrote first part of essay on dialogue. To the Guildhall entering via the interesting art gallery. We were sat near the back but could watch on screens. Templeton Prize presented to Archbishop Tutu who gave a touching speech laced with humour about the Dalai Lama's mischievousness and his own family. His daughter spoke very well. Annie Lennox and the Eric Whitacre singers sang, also the  African gospel choir. It was a delightful occasion. He never said what the £1 million would go to! To Acton and watched an interesting programme on registry office in Belfast Town hall including distressing scene of a wake with open coffin and cemetery Sunday. Wednesday Ciaran enjoyed Jungle book and playing with track and his new engine. Seán cried at first at music but enjoyed it and we say Rufus and Mia. Lunch at Kew Marks and bought flowers for Christine. Did some reading until Ciaran came home and Sean was crawling backwards.

Listened to prom featuring his music.

Proms prospectus online and much excitement about the operas and British music. Only spotted one clash which is Hymnus paradisi and Whitacre on the night of the opening of the paralympics for which we have tickets. Ironically I have a ticket for the Trojans at Covent Garden and it is being done at the Proms. The week we go to Eastbourne is not very exciting and we will be back for Peter Grimes on the Friday night. Good they are foing Elgar and Ireland These things shall be. Jury service deferred to November which is good. So far no response at all to my adverts about organist available so now relying on the online site and grapevine.

Thursday Liz was serving at 5 p.m. Mass as Francis was away. I took the car to Acton and went by trains and to Alexandra Palace for the organ recital. Had a pint of ale on arrival and saw Jack and chatted to several people. I became a friend so get a cheaper rate for the concerts. Thomas Keogh and James Luxton 2 young organists from Birmingham and they had fun playing a variety of pieces including The Lost chord, Finlandia (very impressive pedal trills), Solemn melody, Vierne and Bach. They finished with Sousa Colonel Bogey as a duet including playing pedals with hands and fists! That got a well deserved encore! Got back to Acton the same way about 10.30 p.m. Friday a.m. Ciaran enjoyed a story 3 times and went off in the car with Louise. We got to Paddington in good time and train to Gloucester. Edward hotel very comfortable and not too far from the centre. We visited the excellent Gloucester museum and the packed folk museum. Bought a picnic. Saturday spent rehearsing with Richard and...