The organist librarian

Played Jerusalem and some of the Enigma variations and Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. A most enjoyable lunch in the garden, videos and singing to remember Jean Taylor. So nice to see Simon and Jenny and Francis Herbert again and David came from Brent. Dennis popped in as well.

Headed off to get to St Mary's Islington for 10.15 rehearsal. The friends of Jean Taylor sang Purcell and Rachmaninov Bogoroditse conducted by Richard Thomas. We then went to Paul's cafe while the Philharmonia Chorus rehearsed with Stefan. They sang Brahms Wie lieblich and Auferstehn the first section. The organist was good and played Bach and Brahms on the out of tune Mander. The vicar very Low church. John Chumrow did the tribute but was very hesitant and he's old. It was lovely to see many faces from the past. We had 2 pros singing Come unto him and I think the soprano was the voice which stuck out in the Brahms - it simply wasn't the chorus sound we knew and loved. Nice to see Gill again. Stefan did greet us but I think it was wrong not to allow all to sing. How many of these young pros knew Jean? We all went to the Slug and lettuce for reception and our photos of Jean from 1973 and 1974 Fidelio were much appreciated by the family and chorus. Chris Hollis did a goo...

To doctor Ojo who sucked wax out of my ears and showed a 2nd year student how to do it. Liz went to osteopath and I went to St Mary Abchurch. Ian Shaw played Bach loudly and rather sloppily. He also played Handel and Hylton Stewart at which point I left to get to St Mary at Hill to hear James Johnstone playing Bohm, CPE Bach, Sweelinck and Scheidermann. A very good player and Liz joined me there. We went to the Angel and walked along the Regent's canal to visit Jean in her new abode at Bridgeside Lodge nursing home where she has a nice view of the canal. Her neighbour Jenny came. Liz went to Acton and I got the 4 bus to the Temple church for evensong for the Annunciation. Excellent choir although one alto tended to anticipate Roger Sayer's beat. Parry prelude on Eventide, Tavener, Burgon and Robert Parsons. Whitlock Paean on the refurbished organ. The Lord Mayor Master Woolf was there and they went off to dinner in their finery. Car was at Selhurst as our journey home last nig...

On bus and tube to Baker Street. Nice toasted cakes and coffee at Weatherspoons and we later had a good burger and beer there for lunch. 10.30 a.m. rehearsal and I slipped on the riser on the stage - wooden and not clearly marked and slippery. My left shoulder bruised, neck and side aches a bit and right shin has scabs where it got skinned. At the time I thought I was OK! The sopranos consistently sang flat so I got on the back row with David from Brighton and Peter! Actually the concert was much better and it was lovely to see Norbert Balatsch and meet his wife. Lots of faces from the past including Keith Chaundy, John Sims, Liz Letsky and Pat Stephens. Fiona, Pam, Eleanor, Muriel and the Shirasses were singing. Nice to do Shepherd's farewell in French. Vivaldi Gloria and Faure Requiem and everyone singing Hallelujah chorus. The conductor Robert was not very good. It was interesting to change the Charles Mackerras room. I took 2 photos from Orange and put them on the display which...

Tuesday was a long day. Swam 34 lengths - the pool was busy and not arranged as it usually is with wide fast and slow lanes. I did my best to catch up on work so I was tired by the time I got to the Festival hall. Liz sat in for the first half of Henze Bassarids suite which apparently was better to watch than to listen to. The Beethoven went well but Dohnanyi was not always clear and speeded up the finale. We were joined by Philharmonia Voices directed by Aidan Oliver and some members of the Bristol choral society so we filled the new choir stalls. Afterwards we went to the bar for the farewell to Robert Dean. He clearly enjoyed Rosa's choral item featuring some of his favourite expressions and rolled rs. He gave an excellent speech and was presented with wine and a leather bound score of Rosa's piece. It was Jean Taylor who got him to come 10 years ago and there have been some memorable concerts notably Gerontius and Mozart under his direction. We were home by 11.30 p.m. The c...