The organist librarian

Ghastly weather but at least the buses were running although I just missed a 407 coming home! I played Peeters and Willan on Song 1 and Gigout Toccata. We sang David Ogden's "Christ has no body now but yours". It seems Andrew Chadney had over a 100 at Munch with music so the potential for an event on National Organ day is there.  With dinner we had a Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 from near Cape Town on special offer at Lidl for £2.50! Watched University challenge. First thing on reaching home trousers and socks changed! Watching Great pottery throw down. Keble College Oxford evensong featured Lennox Berkeley and Parry. No way am I driving to Christ Church Dulwich this evening for the organ recital in this weather!  At evensong Statham in E minor and Philip Ledger Loving shepherd of thy sheep. Psalm 4 to Bairstow chant.  Call the midwife and the Great pottery throw down continue to delight. BBC on Picasso very interesting. Up early Monday searching for my mobile which must hav...

Waved off the kids and Louise and Tom - they will be back on Wednesday. Listened to second half of King's - lovely Michael Berkeley, Harold Darke, Howells, Lennox Berkeley and Warlock Bethlehem Down. Listing composers I have seen or met. A lot! Carols from King's. Dennis announced yesterday that the baptism will be on April 23rd in Dublin so booking flights. Nice walk round South Norwood lake very clear sky. Met Mary from St John's and had a good chat. Dennis and AnnMarie came for bubble and squeak. Watched videos from the 60s featuring Michael Goldthorpe and little Ann! Programme on elephants in Tsavo.

Arrived outside Cadogan Hall far too early with my folding chair so sat and read Kubu. Eventually another guy arrived so had a chat. It would have been fine to arrive much later! At 10 got my £5 ticket and to Peter Jones for tea and croissant with a wonderful view over Chelsea. Had a look at jackets - one was £535! To Royal College of Music for Britten singing workshop with Mary King - folksongs, Billy Budd, St Cecilia sections and a tricky Ballad. Liz came and not in good mood again. Eventually went to hall and got her a ticket and had light lunch at Peter Jones. The concert was Camerata Ireland directed by Barry Douglas with Alison Balsom - Britten, Berkeley, Shostakovich and Rainier. Fr Gerard Skinner was there. To vespers and Mass with Fr Michael Durand. Nice to see David playing Bach. Did not go to Urban Music prom. Home and fell asleep then had spare ribs and kebabs. Watched Proms plus programme. 

Jesus College Kuhn and Sutton organs. Friday back to the pool and after the Lord Mayor's show! Set up small book sale. To doctor about pains in right leg and back - he checked me over and gave me powerful painkillers as ibuprofen can affect stomach lining. To choir practice which was more relaxed - Ella was pretty hyper again. Saturday May 23rd Liz took me to Shirley for 7.15 a.m. lift with David and Sheila. We reached Robinson college staff car park early - around 9.30 a.m. Daniel Trocme Latter gave an excellent demonstration of the Frobenius organ and we enjoyed playing it. A lovely walk across the Backs to Trinity college where the organ scholar Michael Waldron played Bach. Bromley and Croydon organists played first so East Surrey group had to wait! Very awkward stop jambs on the Metzler. A stunning chapel. To Little St Mary's where Christian Rutherford greeted us and the scholar Sebastian Smallshaw played Howells and Parry very well. This is a fine Tickell beautifully const...