The organist librarian

To Hatchlands near Guildford to play the historic 3 manual Walker organ for an hour (NT). They also have an amazing collction of keyboard instruments including pianos owned by Elgar, Bizet, Chopin and Mahler. I was asked to join the roat of volunteer organists but it is too far from home! We tried to get to Winkworth Arboretum but the traffic was horrendous so headed to the airbnb in Cranleigh where we enjoyed the garden.  We arrived early at Wintershall for the amazing Life of Christ. A superb day and the whole experience was very moving. Weather could not have been better. The feeding of the 5000, the fishing scenes, the Passion and the Resurrection scenes just wonderful. Came home via Cranleigh (Liz had left the plants she had bought at the house) and M23.

A day of delights. Reading in the park, Cadogan Hall Chopin, excellent lunch at Cote Brasserie Sloane Square calamari, steak, orange Grand marnier crepe, champagne. talk on La Clemenza Glyndebourne prom. Alice Coote singing top Bs!  Also fruit tart and cappuccino at Peter Jones this a.m. how's that for happiness! Interesting correspondence on Face Book about not playing secular music at services e.g. Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky piano concerto themes. 

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.

Wednesday excellent breakfast. To St Anne's cathedral for 10 a.m. Couldn't find anyone eventually to the house and Mgr MacQueen. Lots of phone calls to Ben Saunders who knew nothing about it. It seems the young music administrator had told nobody! Eventually Emmett the sacristan took us to the console but he turned the key twice - I can't think why! Result no sound so we abandoned the attempt. It was all embarrassing and annoying and apologies all round but it should not have happened! Tea at Leeds art gallery and a look around - interesting displays about British landscape. To Leeds college of music for free concert by Junior Royal conservatoire of Scotland. Excellent trumpeter, oboe and pianist. Schoolkids present were getting restless and the teacher did not help! The Albinoni oboe concerto and the Chopin scherzo were outstanding. To the Minster where there had been a big musical funeral. Once the place cleared I was left to play and it was a treat. Simon Lindley was fri...

Only swam 24 as water was cold. More clearing up and hoovering. To St Pancras Church for piano recital by Ian - Beethoven, Chopin and his own Carmina. He plays really well and from memory. Chatted to Michael. To Heythrop and saw Fr Rocco, Philip and Luciana. 2nd tutorial with Damian who says essays could get a higher mark with some changes. To St John's for sung mass of Corpus Christi and procession over carpet of flowers, Bishop Jonathan of Croydon in new Roman style outfit and zucchetto! Mozart Sparrow Mass and Ave verum with orchestra,

Sunday August 1st which would have been Grandma's birthday. Went into Saint Sebastian church Mass ab oriente. Mozart Mass with large choir and orchestra at the Dom. Host fell on floor but I just picked it up and consumed it - because of a balustrade. Sat at cafe Tomaselli - balalaikas and harp in squares. Icons display. Went on river cruise - very hot. Michael Haydn museum and returned for hammerklavier recital of Haydn, Clementi and Beethoven. Gregorian vespers at St Peter's. Mozzarella salad and iced tea at cafe next to Festspielhaus - concertgoers beautifully dressed. After dinner sat on hotel terrace. Monday August 2nd to Berchtesgarden - fantastic panoramic views and coach ride up and lift. To the village - 3 nice churches, cake and coffee. Lovely cemetery and public gardens. Back to Salzburg via the castle. After dinner rest of party went to Marionette theatre Magic flute but we went to a fine organ recital on both organs in St Francis by a Polish organist who even played...

Friday to choir practice - John and Karen not there and Marie in Spain which makes 4 part unaccompanied singing impossible! In the morning I went to the launch of the Wandsworth arts festival at Hurlingham Yacht club which is a well kept secret in Putney. It is on the river and the last private yacht club left in London. Champagne and croissants can't be bad - lots of networking. A story of mine own from Stephen from Crouch End! Saturday morning not so good - staff late and front door not working right but got it sorted out. To Tooting Bec for Mass - could not hear the readings at all - mike not working. Visiting priest and PP at the back at the end but the steps and lack of space mean it is impossible to chat to him. Not a great spiritual high! Watched pianist final of Young musician - Lara a worthy winner but thought they were all great and liked Sean from Northern Ireland and the Haydn played by girl from Canterbury. Grandma home after op and problems with health visitor who eve...

Liz painting doors. To Harvest flower festival and played from 2.45 p.m. All went reasonably well - one or two weak leads but the kids did well and so did John. It was appreciated. Lots of people in the hall and I bought a cake and some coconut bread and tamarind. There was even a Viking harvest feast and a toy train layout on the stage. To 10 pin bowling and Mollie and Ella and their Mums formed a team with me. 12 teams in all and much enjoyed. Royal Russell team 1 won with an amazing 701 points which must be the best yet - one lad had 4 strikes! Holy Trinity Redhill 2nd and St John Redhill 3rd. Gave out certificates and trophy. Hugh Sutton very chatty from Royal Russell. Terrence Hancock fussing over money as usual! To Purley for Mass. Fr Gregory's homily was indecipherable and then he started singing "Seek ye first". One girl server in white alb too short for her with white trainers, another with silver slippers and sort of mincing along! To West Norwood to meet Liz wh...

Thursday 27 Aug to work until 2 and Liz picked me up. Drove to Solihull with no problems and checked in at the very nice St John's hotel which has a swimming pool and sauna. BBC4 on TV so watched the prom - Strauss Alpine symphony and Chopin piano concerto No 2 played by Lang Lang. Friday to St Alphege Solihull and a warm welcome. A fine Nicholson organ. Had some trouble finding switches! To Baddesley Clinton a fine NT moated manor house and garden and Packwood House with a fine garden of yews. Prom was on BBC Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky Agon.

Back to work and not many staff on. To Addington Palace golf club for circle May supper which was a better meal than in Manchester - roast beef, summer pudding. Sat with the Barretts and Del and Declan. Won sherry on the raffle. Tuesday a busy day and home in the evening. Supposed to do June music list but fell asleep. Spoke to Ann on Skype in Canada. Wednesday to Health and Safety Unison reps course in Putney. All men on course and a mixed bunch - stonemason, manager, dustman, security staff. Had a filled roll at Subway with Ian paramedic. To National Portrait gallery to see the blue stockings exhibition and the old shops photos. To National Gallery to see Alison Watt Phantom pictures - not that impressive. An excellent free concert in the central Hall by 2 Russian postgrad students from the Royal College of Music. Ilva Movchan violin and Anna Peletsis piano. The violinist very tall with lots of hair and like Nureyev. The Chopin Nocturne in C minor made me feel sad. Rachmaninov Musica...