The organist librarian

Liz went to Saturday's Prom of Gurrelieder and I listened on phone and at home. During the day I watched the TV Proms of Eroica and Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass and the sweet makers. We had a Milan seminarian called Manolo serving at Mass. He was in a lay group at the Duomo for 10 years.  A marathon of 3 proms. Drove to Caterham as buses replaced trains and parked at Royal Albert hall. 40 miles. I played Dad's Bishopthorpe suite and Liszt on Arcadelt's Ave Maria. The orgelbuchlein Prom was excellent at 1 p.m. and really loved the Passion selections at 3.30. Lovely St John Passion - Sophie Beavan sublime. Lucy Winkett commented on how we need to own this music as it has been taken over by professionals. Met Rita Day and Jenny Stirling.

No Mass today as I was due to see Dr Ojo at 10 and in fact very short wait. He took out stitches but two come out on Friday. He gave me wipes and cream. To St Michael's for  a  disappointing recital especially as I seldom get there. Saw Howard and Dorio. Why did Enrico Presti play so much unusual music with no respite? The Shostakovich, Bossi, Liszt and Respighi he played very unrepresentative of their work and so discordant. I got my glasses adjusted at Boots and got the cream for my arm. To Fairfield collection at Museum of Croydon -  a few interesting picture and items. i plan to send in my memories of the hall. Got to the hall early and it was damp so chatted. The preprom talk on orchestration by Liszt and Ravel given by David Owen Norris was excellent and enlightening and I took a fresh look at the scores.  Really enjoyed the Liszt and Mussorgsky prom especially after the preprom talk. Forget the Julian Anderson which is not a piano concerto.

Brilliant virtuosic playing from Louis Lortie at the Cadogan Hall. Catching up on Proms Extra. The bay where we usually sit in the gallery was transformed! Ann now in South Africa and Louise and Tom and the boys with Bruce in Jersey.  To Beckenham meeting which was held outside. Watched The Zoo and Versailles - fell asleep downstairs. 

Took the boys to Crystal palace to see the dinosaurs. Once we reached the sandpit I left to get the train from the station  - quite  a walk to get there. I collected Liz's camera from Peter Jones - 10 minute wait! Popped into Holy Trinity and saw Tak Man Chow and Peter practising with Margaret Phillips for recital today. The Prom at Cadogan hall was Ben Grosvenor playing Chopin, Mompou, Ravel, Judith Weir and Liszt. He is excellent. The man next to me told me about drawing sessions at the National Gallery at 1 p.m. on Fridays - his name is Roger. Saw John East and Colin Hartley and his wife. Listened to Walton symphony No. 1 from the Proms and Peter Maxwell Davies Prom. To Catenians and one visiting gentleman Anthony Sorrell was there. Nice to see Gerry Haines again and Derrick spoke about family history. Picked up Liz who had driven the boys home and went to the RPO's Prom.

Practised Finlandia and Sheep may safely graze on piano. To St John Goose Green for excellent recital by Andrew Baars. 30 there including his 3 children. He presented it so well. He teaches at Sydenham school and included unusual pieces and the Dorian toccata. Richard Pilliner has offered a recital next year at St Michael's. Home for lunch and Dennis and Ann Marie came down so I went alone to Mary King's workshop on the Glagolitic Mass with an excellent Czech coach and 4 BBC singers including the young bass from the cathedral choir. Really enjoyed it. Only 10 tenors. It was very hot and sunny and the pro-Palestine protest meant no buses so walk to and from South Ken. Saw a bit of travel photographer of the year at RGS. Tea at Marks and saw Paolo at vespers. He was delighted that Liz is going to Lourdes for the first time. Fr Alexander at Mass certainly got on with it with David playing and we got an early 52 and our usual seats for China Philharmonic Proms debut with a popular...

Liz liked the card. She thought she had lost her freedom pass so went back to the golf club but it was in fact at home. She got new bulbs for the outside light but it still does not work! At family eucharist we sang For the beauty of the earth, Tell out my soul, Sing we of the blessed mother, Soul of my saviour and The church's one foundation. I played Liszt on Arcadelt Ave Maria, Buxtehude Chaconne and Bach Fantasia in C minor. We rehearsed the psalms for Holy week and there are some changes. Debbie was not there. I went from Kent House to Herne Hill and to Blackfriars to visit the Oxo tower Spirit of womanhood exhibition by women artists celebrating 10 years of the women's interfaith network. Interesting but nor particularly religious. I walked along the Thames to the hall and had another look at the organ exhibition and watched all the films. The concert was at 3 and featured Bach immaculately played by James McVinnie. I was furious that the lights were turned off so having...

To Festival Hall and listened to Christina Ortiz play on In Tune in the foyer then to talk on the organ with William McVicker and John Scott. He described his first encounter with the organ in 1973 when Ralph Downes changed the first lesson from the oratory and he played the St Anne fugue! The concert was magnificent - Marchand, Buxtehude, Bach, Mozart and Dupre and fiendish Liszt in the second half. I had scores for 3 of the pieces and his technique is immaculate. The Vaughns and Dibbs were there also the Harpers and Harry Bramma.

Swam 20 and general tidy up and packing to go away. To St Michael's for good recital by Georgina 4th year at the Royal College of Music. 

Trinity Sunday so played Willan on Nicaea, Wyton on St Patrick's Breastplate and Harper Triptych. We sang "Holy, holy, holy" and "How shall I sing that majesty" to Coe Fen - what a tune! Had a chat to Paul about contacting local mosques which I have been doing. Practised and Liz was home early from cathedral. Worked on Knitter essay. Dennis arrived looking well and we had a nice lunch and worked in the garden in the sunshine moving stones and compost to fill the new wooden raised beds. To Holy Trinity Sloane Square for the opening of the splendid 4 manual Harrisons organ by David Goode. A full church paying £12 each! Champagne at the break. Martin Ball, Christopher Town, Gloria and Michael Toplis, Michael Armstrong and an organist from Buffalo who played for 2 years at St Mary's Cambridge. Met Stephen Smith who does organ recitals.com and Michael Brough who's toccata was played. Bach Wedge (with score) Schmidt, Alain, Durufle, Mendelssohn, Parry, Durufl...

Swam 18 - another lovely day and Bruce got on with clearing plants. To Paul's and chose hymns up to mid June. Everyone very happy - he used to sing in the West End in shows like Jesus Christ Superstar and Camelot! To Covent Garden on student ticket £10 to see Mayerling - wonderful tragic ballet with a dark brooding score by Liszt. Loved it!

To Bromley to return some scores and attend Gary Sieling's recital at the parish church of Fantasias and Fugues by Parry, Bach and Liszt - very fine playing. He remarked that the programme was like Bank Holiday weather i.e. stormy and sunny. Stanley Vann encore. He also said that as the programme had spelt his name wrongly he reserved the right to play the notes in the wrong order! Ken Baker was there. After lunch I went to the Family prom. Why do people not remove noisy small children? The Delius was ruined by screaming kids, Falla, Dvorak, Rodrigo. Second half Proms family orchestra and chorus did really well and Blind Boys of Alabama sang gospel with audience clapping along.Northern Sinfonia played well. To pre Prom discussion on lyric writing with Don Black - Clive James did not show so a charming singer stepped in called Barbara. The Broadway prom with John Wilson was terrific including Rodgers, Kern, Porter, Gershwin and Bernstein. We left before the last number. I told a man...

Tuesday reading and to college for 5 for session on good essay writing with Damian and an interesting lecture. To Acton and slept better on my own. Took Ciarán to music without buggy and he shouted out the names of instruments! Liz arrived during coffee - we were watching tractors dredging the river. Lost my hat. To Chiswick for Mass for St Andrew's Day with Fr Graham. Ciarán singing Happy birthday (Advent wreath candles look like a cake!) and Baby Jesus! Lunch at Carluccios - nice risotto. Tiring walk back and he didn't drop off! To Heythrop for 4 for lecture on Syrian Orthodox church with Sebastian Barry from Oxford. I asked a question about relations to Islam and got a good answer from Anthony O'Mahony. Met a PhD student from Oxford - interesting chat. To library and then to cathedral for Kynaston's 70th birthday concert. Hearing aids made organ very loud and eventually took them out. Awful lot of loud reeds in use - score for Franck No. 2, Mozart. Alain and Liszt no...

Swam 19 having collected car from Selhurst. Hoovered a bit and rang up about our car which is ready. To funeral of Fr Alan Fudge in a packed cathedral. Liz was boat and I was communion torch and water. The Neocats sang their hearts out - I spoke to the guitarist - the music is partly by Kiko who founded the Way. Ended up outside with the hearse. We had roast dinner at cathedral cafe and underground to Moorgate and Post Office. David Stone not there so rearranged meeting. Much enjoyed the refurbished Museum of London. To preProm talk but fell asleep for part of it. Liz went to farewell drinks for Nick. Liszt Totentanz (score) and Mephisto waltz (piano score)Mahler Blumine and Symphony No.1 (full score). This was spoilt by a drunk coughing and talking - stewards spoke to him at the end but too late really. Markus and his wife.Stayed for 10 p.m. Prom and Liz came. Audience choice we all had a numbered ticket and numbers were drawn from the tuba. The orchestra in casual clothes. We then sh...

Got to hall early and went to pre-Prom talk about the programme for families and kids can bring instruments. Clarinet next to me was doing really well! Tuba, violin and flute from the youth orchestra played - excellent. Sir Colin Davis conducted Symphony by Stravinsky, Susan Graham sang Ravel Sherezade and Tchai 4 - all with scores. Brilliant playing and singing! Stayed on for the late night prom with Marc-Andre Hamelin playing Liszt - astonishing technique. Had score for Venezia e Napoli. Left at 11 home at 12 - tired! Seems Liz has lost her phone - spoke to her on Skype. Thursday to South London interfaith lunch. Catriona did an excellent resume about the riots which led to an interesting discussion. Nice eats including watermelon I took. Home and out again to be at talk about Handel. Glyndebourne Handel Rinaldo - stunning singing and playing. Alfredo had a score printed from the interent so I bought programme and we followed. He left after second act and gave me the score! He is fro...

Took Liz to Tescos to shop and swam 20. She was delayed - could have done a lot more. Melvin Lim is emigrating to Vancouver so emailed John Fulton with his email details. Professional cleaner came for 3 hours at a reduced rate so bathroom and floors all clean. Took everything out of downstairs toilet for the clean. Tai chi and Tony impressed at my progress. Painted above porch and 3 other small patches of orange - needs a second coat but looks great. Put flowers back in front and everything back into toilet - the wine cellar! A hot day so stripped off shirt in the end! Liz packing to go away so went on own to prom. Just too late for Kevin Volans talk but heard it on way home and unimpressed and his piano concerto No.3 was awful. Meistersinger overture with score, Liszt La Notte and Brahms 1 with my score - love the horns at the end. Stand in Danish conductor did well. Picnics going on in gallery - not that many there!

Woke late so no swim. To library to pick up scores and took dress back to M & S - unfortunately seems I bought it on Liz's card so got a voucher for it. Liz liked the other size better. To tai chi and 4 turned up but no stand-in tutor so went home. She rang to apologise. More painting and nearly done - one bit above porch needs doing when scaffolding comes down but that will have to wait for new roofs on bay and extension - succulents growing up there! Drama - new young driver reversed into the Jazz smashing driver's wing. {arked outside house in a one way street! Got all his details and rang insurance. WIthin 2 hours I had a hired Renault Clio with satnav from Enterprise cars. Parked at Crystal Palace. To prom on my own. Beethoven 4, Saint-Saens piano concerto 5. Stephen Hough wore a fez for curtain call! Lovely quiet encore. Asian family near me talking! No idea how to behave. Lovely Liszt Dante symphony with score - hevenly ladies choir at the end from the gallery singi...

Tuesday's prom was splendid. Took the car to Acton and babysat Ciarán while Liz and Lou shopped. Had a great time running in his bedroom On your marks get set Go! But sometimes he just went No! London Phil cond Jurowski with scores. Kodaly Dances of Galanta, Bartok Piano concerto No. 1 which makes much use of percussion, Liszt Dante symphony with chorus and an excellent tenor. Loved it! Wednesday to Polka theatre Wimbledon - Ciarán loved all the playground and a rocking dolphin. The show was about archaeology and worms and they ended up playing with sand and having a great time. Had lunch there. Drove around the common and tennis club but no sign of a playground so back to Acton as he had dropped off. He had great fun in their pool and Liz cut back the hedges and ivy. Took car to Albert Hall and paid for parking. No scores! Berlioz Corsaire, Faure Pavane, Pascal Dupasin piece for quartet and orchestra interesting and Firebird with exciting ending. Offstage trumpet had a monitor so...

Samll choir sang Panis Angelicus very nicely. They were thanked by Vickie as this is last Choir Sunday until September. To choral workshop 1 to 3 at RCM with Paul Spicer and professional singers - good line up of tenors. The Gothic symphony is very difficult and demanding but it gave us a feel for the work. To Stephen Farr's concert and Chris had given us seats in the circle. Alain, Bach, Liszt and premiere of Judith Bingham - all most effective and interesting. To gallery and listened to In tune and choral evensong from Ripon on my little radio. The Brian proved to be a mammoth work with great contrasts - effective quiet singing from a vast choir. Big audience too. Pretty tired after an exciting weekend. Turns out organists did not get into 3rd church on Saturday! The pedals ciphered completely this morning so abandoned Andriessen and played Stanley!

Woke 5 a.m. and went back to sleep. Swam 30. Interesting feature on Janacek on radio 3 - the Proms start today! The feature on the Proms is on at 9 a.m. as I drive back from the pool. Moved rubbish to front garden, cleaned kitchen floor, put away Ocado shopping. To Blackhorse and parked to go to Beckenham for Harra Bramma'a recital. Dorio having more trouble from the priest who is rude. Bach rather muddy, Reger Canzona and very nice Whitlock Fantasie Chorale No 1 in D flat. Home for lunch and Liz off to Heythrop for chat and tour about her 2 year mission course on Saturdays. I took spare lettuce and cabbage to Josie and had tea. They have rented accomodation and go back Thursday. To V and A to see Jain sculptures and queued for gallery. Met nice Maltese girl and her boyfriend. Got seats and could walk to rail for a view. Splendid Judith Weir, Brahms Academic festival overture with chorus, Liszt Piano con 2 with score Ben Grosvenor only 19 stunning. He played Liszt Hungarian rhapsod...

To music - Ciarán seemed more interested in hiding behind the dustbin during the first part but enjoyed the instruments bit. To Chiswick for Mass where Tom and Louise were married - nice Mass and Ciarán slept right through it. To Chiswick House where we had a lovely lunch outside and Ciarán loved the sand pit. We both wnet round the house with the excellent audio guide - it is English heritage. It was a glorious day again and most enjoyable. Met Lou in Acton for delicious ice cream. Tom came home and I went to Westminster Cathedral for Martin Neary's recital - De Grigny, Bach, Franck No 1, Stainer, Howells, Liszt - McCabe not impressive. Met Paul Moynihan on the way there and he was chatty for once! Saw Andy Scott, Carl Jackson and John Wardle. Watched The Apprentice. Liz had gone to see "Water and elephants" at Westfield.