The organist librarian

Good Shepherd Sunday. Mike spoke at Mass last night he is 3rd year at Allen Hall. Today we sang Brother James' Air and I played Harold Darke's lovely meditation and Bach preludes. I was privileged to have met Dr Darke. Had a first go at Norman Cocker's Tuba tune. The tuba is out of tune and I noted the flute playing c# with top D. Must be the heat. Good sermon from Anne-Marie Garton. At evensong we sang Panis angelicus and Faux bourdons. The last hymn Come ye faithful I recall an anthem by Thatcher. Liz went to help at St Bartholomew's orchestra concert. I watched Durrells, London marathon highlights and Woman in White.

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!

Watched Sacred Music 1 on computer and Songs of Praise form Harrogate featuring Simon Lole at the organ, also Antiques roadshow about sport from Lord's. Started framing pictures and sorting out ironing. To Windmill pub for lunch with David and Jim and then walked to St Michael's for recital by Laurence Caldecote of Coventry. He played William Lloyd Webber, Boccherini, Suite gothique, Alec Rowley Benedictus, Willan on "Vulpius", Norman Cocker's Angelus and Salome's Grand-Choeur in A. A tuneful lunchtime programme. Coffee in the cafe with the recitalist and Graham who is starting to compile next year's list. I suggested I could do a recital! To Hinsley Room for interfaith group. 12 came and we started looking at the Muslim scholars comments to the churches on Love of God. A lively discussion for an hour on what does it mean to say "I love God". We felt that we had lost awe and mystery. To mass but too late to serve - there were 7 servers any way. P...

We enjoyed the Saturday evening recital on the Klais organ of Bath Abbey by Mark Swinton. Mark is assistant at the abbey and comes from Chester. He studied at the University of York and had lessons with John Scott Whiteley and Francis Jackson. We were able to watch him on the big screen and he introduced all the items. He began with a transcription of the Marriage of Figaro overture taken at a furious pace. Then a selection of Walton from Henry V and the glorious "Crown Imperial". Next the Scherzo in A flat by Bairstow which is almost cinema organ music! Malcolm Archer's "Bluesleeves" (Gershwin meets Henry VIII) and English country gardens in the style of Bach had us all smiling. Bizet's Caprice ws written for harmonium and was followed by Dad's favourite Tuba Tune by Norman Cocker. He was mentioned as a cathedral organist who also played in the cinema - apparently Nigel Perrin (?) also does this? Pietro Yon's Humoresque for one flute is a delight. T...