The organist librarian

Thinking about A hidden life and St Agnes martyred at 12. How far would one be prepared to go for the Faith? What about family and home? Thomas Becket as so many others faced this dilemma. We are now in a world of right wing leaders enforcing their will. Be ready to suffer for the Faith. Henry came and was good as gold. Liz came back from Newcastle. St Paul's sang evensong at the cathedral. 22 boys! Howells in B minor and Rhapsody no. 3. MacMillan Christus vincit. St Mark's Coptic Church for Kensington unity service Good turnout. Archbishop Angelaos very welcoming and the deacons sang well. Good sermon by Revd Emma Dinwiddy Smith vicar of St Mary Abbots. Gave out all my leaflets about the exhibition. Wed Swim, Mass at Addiscombe and good chat to Fr Keith about Catenians, coffee and rock cakes . Won an icon. Long chat to Agnes. To Mount Street for Henry Wansborough on New Jerusalem Bible and Nicholas King was there. Met some nice people who liked the art. Took leaflets to Conn...

Served at Morning prayer at the cathedral. Superb choir and strepitus. Not sure it was a good idea to kneel for the Anerio. I was extinguisher 1.  Having a lovely family day at Acton delicious lunch and a sleep! The 3 boys are having fun! Back at midnight from serving at a fabulous Easter Vigil at the cathedral. The Vierne and anthems from the choir were absolutely stunning and the organ was just magnificent. The Cardinal again gave a fine homily and there were 4 baptisms and 12 confirmations. The neo-catechumenate attended in large numbers. Now to bed and up at 4 a.m. !Arrived at church 4.57 amazing full moon. The porch decorated with Easter eggs and flowers.Both Easter services went really well with good singing from the choir and cooked breakfast in between. Played Hallelujah chorus and Saraband for the morning of Easter and we sang 4 vigil psalms, Sing choirs of heaven and This joyful Eastertide. Fell asleep watching Pope Francis! Now enjoying St Mary Warwick broadcast. I...

All Saints. 2 girls joined choir and we sang "I sing a song of the saints of God". Played Howells and Francis Jackson " Sine nomine".  To St Paul's to hear Dave Tomlinson on black sheep Christians. He spoke of Muslims receiving communion. I recall the Holy Land where our Muslim friends shared so much but at that point we were not as one. We need to address those within our churches who are not open and welcoming. Pope Francis has much to say on this. Evensong for All Souls. Played Nimrod, Vierne Epitaphe and Solemn melody.14 there. Watched 2 Poldarks. Swam, Mass, mosaic, tai chi.  National Portrait gallery to see Cezanne portraits and the excellent rehung early 20th century gallery.  Lots of Churchill! Loving "Call me by your name" on Kindle and far better than the film. This book really makes you think about the past experiences one has had or might have had! Watched programme on Sydney harbour bridge and 2 Songs of Praise.To Catenians - horrendous a...

Sketching at St Stephen Norbury. Went up to the organ but could not get it to work! To Farm St to see Sr Catherine (she was pleased that I am trying to get to daily Mass) then to the Estorick collection to see the works by Balla - well worth the trip. Excellent joint recital by  Bridget West  and Adrian Adams at St John Upper Norwood. Good to hear some Francis Jackson (100 in October) Buxtehude, Howells, Elgar, Guilmant and JSB, We picked up Dennis and Henry on good form, Molly not impressed! Liz made delicious fruit loaf for it. 

Did a scroll for Clive and worked on my life story. 8 to  10.30 played 3 hymns and Hallelujah chorus at vigil at Anerley. Nice bottle of wine from Fr Stuart. They badly need an MC as various things went wrong. Readers went ahead so Sunith had to go back to the Gloria.Baptismal garment missed and nearly left out the prayers which Stuart had to find!  The channel 5 Last days of Jesus seemed to accept some of the gospel accounts and tried to make much of the fall of Sejanus. The Mary Magdalene programme had some good points. Easter from King's excellent and the new series on Galapagos very interesting. Up at 4.30, 5.45 a.m. to 8 a.m. vigil went well and we sang O sons and daughters at both services with breakfast in between. Howells Saraband and Hallelujah chorus the 2 closing voluntaries. Peregrine knew Howard Thomas! To St John's for lamb lunch. Liz made a pavlova. I fell asleep after red wine and missed evensong but Liz went. Good thing I was home as Dennis, Ann Marie and...

Wrote to  the Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration about unaccompanied refugee children as I am not satisfied by their figures and explanations. Delighted to see Henry who is 4 weeks old and has grown - looking and smiling and kicking! A lovely Meditation at St John's including Morley which worked better at the service, Byrd, Howells, Walton Litany. Watched Antiques roadshow and Ecuador jungle hotel. 

Friday 27th a quiet day at home catching up on emails, etc. and watching Father Brown X 2! University challenge X 3. Saturday to Bloomsbury Baptist for the excellent organ day. Had to drag myself away from Dame Gillian Weir's masterclass on Bach and Franck. She really told us how to play rhythmically. The RCO students with Simon Williams did well.    William Whitehead told us about progress on the Orgelbuchlein project which will feature at the Proms on Reformation Sunday. He played pieces by Ronnie Krippner and Gabriel Jackson. Alexander Binns played Bach and Herbert Brewer and Paul Hale told us all about Binns organs. To vespers and Mass and Peter Stevens played Dorian toccata. Lots of servers. Sunday back to Caterham and trains OK. I played prelude for Candlemas and Moore Light of the nations. Vi and Peter in choir and we managed Nunc dimittis chanted. The communion hymn needs to be on organ. I think Jerry needs to choose well-known hymns to start and at communion. I playe...

Swam.  Bravo  Benjy Bloor  for brilliant playing at St George Hanover Square and great to hear some Howells. A programme full of sunshine incl Hollins and Vierne!  The Found exhibition at the Foundling museum is worth a visit and Ironbaby by Anthony Gormley is very moving in its simplicity. A baby on the floor - a powerful comment.  Interesting works by Colin Matthews and enjoyed the Dresden bells. Das Lied von der Erde with Alice Coote followed by the 16 (actually 34) Bach and beautiful Part. Took an hour to get to Acton.  BFG with the boys. Excellent film and followed by Pizza Hut.  East West Divan with Daniel Barenboim Liszt and Wagner - great sound. The preProm talk on Wagner was a little dull.

Up early to get the 8.03 train to Caterham and enjoyed practising on the 3 manual Walker at St John's. The mothering Sunday service went well and the small choir coped well with Rutter's The Lord bless you and keep you. Choir practice afterwards did not happen but I met a lot of nice people over coffee! Played Slater on St Botolph, Boellmann Angelus and Bach Fantasia in C minor. Andrew Moore's Berceuse for the distribution of flowers. Returned home to find somebody for the footbal match had parked between my bollards so parked outside Hyacinth and Jim's - no problem! Have caught up with Jonathan Vaughn  on interior design challenge and some old Songs of Praise. Liz got nice wax and real flowers. Bruce rang.  At evensong we sang Gibbons Short service and Stainer God so loved the world and Adrian played Howells De profundis psalm prelude.  Dennis Woodhouse  and  Ann- Marie Woodhouse  took us to Oscars at Croydon Park hotel for a delicious Mother's Day dinner...

played Willan on Bristol and St Stephen and Peeters on St Stephen. At the end Bach Wachet auf. Kyries from Missa Camino by Paul Hutchings went well. We sang a hymn I did not know "From glory to glory advancing" tune Sheen by Holst (NEH). Before service Leon appeared to check when the Kyries would be sung. I was amazed to see him take down the notice about quiet during voluntaries as it had been agreed and he left a new list of hymns for Advent. I spoke to Bill who confirmed the ladies had joined St James to sing an anthem at the earlier service. I came away. Apple pie for lunch. Lovely Advent service at St John's -  we sang Howells Gloucester Magnificat, Richard Lloyd and Richard Rodney Bennett and listened to Bach. Dennis was there and got panto tickets. Watched antiques roadshow, Simon Reeve in Ireland, The Hunt. Uploaded rest of holiday photos. I wasn't able to go on the climate change march.

Arrived at church to find we had 2 baptisms in the middle of the service. I don't mind this but they did go on a long time. Celebrated All Saints with Flor Peeters and Howells Sine nomine. The service started 9 minutes late - I stopped and started not knowing how long to play for. I have asked for somebody to coem and tell me if there is a delay and how long it is likely to be. I dashed off to get to St Paul's cathedral for the talk on the theology of desire by Professor Coakley. At St John's a lovely Durufle Requiem. Enjoyed Antiques roadshow and Downton.

Woke at 4 a.m. which didn't help! A busy wet Sunday.Liz didn't go to the cathedral because of weather and trains.  Did a pulpit presentation for the Catenians at St Mary's West Croydon at 8 a.m. Mass, played the Couperin Mass for the Convents which was very well received, practised carols with 5 in the choir, lunch at St John's vicarage and then to Adrian's, At evensong sang Howells Gloucester service and Vaugham WIlliams O clap your hands. Benediction and Adrian played L'Ange et la trompette by Jacques Charpentier.

Swam 20. Had a lovely day sitting in the sunny and hot garden painting picture for Ciaran and Seán. Am very pleased with it. We both went to Oliver's recital at St John's Ladbroke Grove. He played Buxtehude, Bach, Messiaen (quiet and bearable) Howells Ps Prelude Set 1 no 1 and Widor. It was good to see and hear him again and meet his parents and the charming organ scholar from Sydney who has no time for Robert Ampt.

Mosaics and have done 2 small ones and completed the one using the broken cup. Have 2 more small ones to do. Had Thai green soup and then to play for wedding in Lady chapel. Carrie kindly indicated when to play as I found it very hard to hear what was being said. I think it is wax which is affecting my hearing. The tuned organ sounded good but even the trumpet sounded not as loud! Bride was on time and all went well. I arrived at Bloomsbury early so had a look in Foyles - it was the last day in the old shop before they move next door to St Martin's school of art building. Katherine Dienes-Williams sang and played beautifully - Howells Rhapsody 3, Nivers Kyrie and Bach Prelude in E flat. Sorry to have to leave to catch 29 and 11. Got to cathedral in good time and everyone was more friendly. Paul, George, Patrick, Andrew, Rebecca. I did incense with Joseph at vespers. Cardinal presided at Mass for new Catholics. I was acolyte. Joseph and Eugene were mitre and crozier. The other 5 ha...

Swam 20. Did some looking up on Meister Eckhart. To Bromley library to get scores - 3 of them could not be found in stacks. Sandwich and coffee chatting to couple and gave out fliers for the Sunday series -  a couple of people asked for directions. Chris Town was there. A stunning recital by Tak who is 22 and has just graduated at the Royal College. Vierne, Muffat, Buxtehude , dancing Bach, Howells and Mulet - the last my Dad would have said "The crossing gates are open!" She is clearly a name to watch! Had very nice dinner on return home and Liz went to Chiswick. Cardiff singer of the world and a programme on Ian Banks and Father Brown. 

To the cathedral early for 10.30 a.m. Nice to see seminarians and I spoke to the priest from Watford. Deacon Geoffrey was very enthusiastic about the interfaith events. The ordination by Bishop John Sheringham was great - he sang some of the prayers. Brian looked so happy and the music was lovely. Mozart, Howells, Haydn, Thine hand O God which the Bishop used in his homily. Had tea downstairs and saw the flypast after the Trooping as we came out. Attempts to photograph it on my Blackberry not good. On No. 11 bus with Andrew and his family from Poland and Denmark. Nice reception somewhat disrupted by rain and ate lunch in library having a great chat to 2 ladies. Saw Stephen Wang. Nice speeches. A happy day. Liz went off to babysit and I returned to the cathedral for vespers and Mass with Fr Michael Quaqo - 5 servers and all went well. Byron choir from Harrow school sang Rheinberger, Guerroro and Harris Faire is the heaven very well. Harry Mellor gave me a lift as Catenians were appeali...

Bruce finished the boxes and cleared up - looks great. Saturday Liz to college and missed confirmation visit to to Tyburn much to Fr Paolo's dismay! To St George Hanover Square - fine new American organ and played Handel. Sat in Hanover Square to eat my lunch and saw 7/11 memorial in Grosvenor Square and sat in Mayfair library reading papal documents on dialogue. To Grosvenor chapel and another fine Bill Drake organ where I played Stanley and Handel. A good visit and sat in Hyde Park and saw the London bombings memorial. Met Liz at M & S. Fr Archer at Mass. Sunday played Guest on St Fulbert, Harker on Westminster Abbey and Willan on Vulpius -got a clap! Only 15 there. On tram to Merton Park for party for first communion of Tracy's daughter. Met a nice Mum but the Irish music was loud - had to take hearing aids out! Liz was needed at evensong to sing alto - Howells Coll Reg and O pray for the peace plus Benediction. Watched Antiques roadshow and The Village was moving. Prog...

To St John's for organists association AGM - I did not stay for the actual meeting! Richard Pilliner and Norman Harper were there and nice that Fr John welcomed us. I gave out the posters for the recitals. Adrian gave an excellent recital showing off the organ's many colours - it included Tommy's Intrada, Howells, Whitlock, Cocker Tuba tune, Bach and Dupre. Nice tea with cupcakes. Vespers and Mass with Fr Paolo. Met Robert Munns and his wife before he practised for his recital. He walks with a stick but talked about Fr Matthias now 85 and Fr Farmer's sister.  Finished the Pierce book. Louise had arrived with Ciaran. Much discussion about where Bruce is to stay!

Seán at Liz's birthday lunch Set  off to Selhurst but we missed the train so drove to West Norwood and got train there and then tube to Turnham Green and the E3. 10.30 mass at Acton with music group who were quite good! Ciarán behaved well and Seán was welcomed. Had coffee and chatted to the deacon Tito. The priest is very Irish but the homily was good and at the right level. Unfortunately finished with Shine Jesus shine and it's never easy to get that out of my head! Came home the same way except we got the 2 bus. Julia Bradbury walking along Caledonian canal. Read some of the De Silva book on the problem of the self. To St John's and Liz sang alto again. Howells Coll Reg, O pray for the peace of Jerusalem (very suitable) Christ triumphant ever reigning. Lovely. Watched Antiques roadshow, Michael Wood in India and Songs of  Praise.

Monday still no baby - must be a girl waiting to make entrance! Swam 26, mosaic and started new project using clay, ta'i chi (7 there) and Tony had been on a retreat. To Balham library and chat to Jeremy. Watched Howells Hymnus paradisi on TV with score - lovely soloists, spotted several people on choruses. Why is the camera not on the semi-chorus properly? Sound not that good. Elgar 1 conducted Brabbins. My stats are 53 concerts attended, listened to 19 more on TV or radio, 39 Proms plus events plus listened to 3 more on radio. A fantastic season! The Tablet published my letter on Masses on Cruises but this week's copy has not come!