The organist librarian

I played Faure Apres un reve and Pavane before service - a departure for me and it seemed right for a family Eucharist. Farrell's Share the light went well on organ rather than piano. Paul forgot first hymn and put it in before the readings - the dreaded Blaenwern. Then he said now we sing the Gloria - No we don't! Servant song, Father we adore you and Shine Jesus shine. Bonighton's Ordinary time more or less made a good ending. I have now stamped all the music I am taking over and got 2 boxes from the cathedral for the items to be sold. I have taken my files of hymn tune preludes and index to church. Met Liz at Victoria and we had a delicious brunch at Le Pain Quotidien - I had smoked salmon, egg, pain au chocolat, yoghurt, breads, orang juice and cappuccino. Quite delicious. To ENO for Rodelinda - a clever production and superb singing. The end of Act 2 duet was a high point. My hat was at the stage door! I was lucky as I lost it on Jan 29th and they normally dispose of ...

Played for funeral at Purley which was a Latin requiem said by Fr Michael Clifton of blog fame. Alas he did not use mike and most of it was inaudible. The Allen digital is not great. To preProm on Judas Maccabeus and a good performance with John Mark Ainsley and Christopher Purves on great form and good chorus.Adrian and Terence came for a chat. Saw Roy Parker the night before.  Friday watched excellent King Henry IV part two and programme on Vermeer.

Now to catch up using a very full diary! Aug 2 spirituality day with Fr Robin Burgess - having not seen him for so long I had forgotten how good he is! The chorus was much occupied with carols and Liz only sang in one of the concerts. Louise, Tom and Ciarán came over on 11th to consult Clare about breast feeding and once that had happened he regained his birth weight and all was well. He had been back at the hospital on the 9th. 7th to tai chi group Christmas lunch at excellent Italian opposite the library. 8th Liz at servers council. I missed Catenians on the 7th for obvious reasons! 9th Unison committee meeting. 10th to ENO for "Messiah" for some reason both of us thought it started at 7.30 instead of 7 p.m. so we stood at back of gallery for first part - the singing was superb. Some of the staging was odd but we did enjoy it. I think this work is so popular that it must be hard to be original. Some of it was rather twee! Lots of shaking hands and the chorus should have mov...