The organist librarian

Watched Oklahoma on IPlayer. To Estorick collection for Grignani not sure I could live with some of his psychedelic patterns. Intrigued by futurist Hand of the violinist. Preprom talk on the Romans and loved the Dickens quote. Prom starting late orchestra rehearsing when we came in.  Brahms Violin concerto and two colourful Respighi tone poems orchestra of La Scala conducted by Chailly. Louise stayed overnight. Ben Elton gave a good Ronnie Barker comedy lecture on BBC.

No Mass today as I was due to see Dr Ojo at 10 and in fact very short wait. He took out stitches but two come out on Friday. He gave me wipes and cream. To St Michael's for  a  disappointing recital especially as I seldom get there. Saw Howard and Dorio. Why did Enrico Presti play so much unusual music with no respite? The Shostakovich, Bossi, Liszt and Respighi he played very unrepresentative of their work and so discordant. I got my glasses adjusted at Boots and got the cream for my arm. To Fairfield collection at Museum of Croydon -  a few interesting picture and items. i plan to send in my memories of the hall. Got to the hall early and it was damp so chatted. The preprom talk on orchestration by Liszt and Ravel given by David Owen Norris was excellent and enlightening and I took a fresh look at the scores.  Really enjoyed the Liszt and Mussorgsky prom especially after the preprom talk. Forget the Julian Anderson which is not a piano concerto.

Took Ciaran to swimming crash course. He was reluctant to move from play to lesson but chocolate muffin offer did the trick and he did well. Windows fixed - looks great. Prom was the Borusan Istanbul philharmonic who were stunning - strings, percussion and winds all outstanding. The talk showed the state of music in Turkey with government removing subsidies and the great educational tradition under threat. Why no Turkish composers, conductors or soloists in the prom? Balakirev, Holst (Beni Mora), Mozart, Handel and Respighi - an unusual programme but the Turkish encore was the highlight. Gabriel Prokofiev violin concerto lots of crashing - poor Daniel Hope! We stayed for two of the Rameau motets conducted by William Christie but found the soprano hard and singing too loudly. Reuben was singing. Also tired and got back to Acton on bus and train quickly so worth leaving early.

Played at the Ascension Lavender Hill - very High church, birettas but very friendly and all went well. A Johannus replaces old pipe organ. They use new Missal! 4 baptisms. Home for lunch of ham. First prom David Hill conducting Bob Chilcott's Angry planet - 600 a capella including schoolchildren. Lots of noises from children in audience and a very small Prom. Ben Parry's Flame was most effective. Bach choir, National youth choir, BBC singers. To Matthew Rowe's introduction to the second prom and Liz came. BBC Scottish and Scottish youth orchestra conducted by Runnicles. MacMillan, Wagner, Bruch (Nicola Benedetti) Strauss, Musgrave and Respighi.

Monday to mosaic and tai chi. I forgot my umbrella. Liz went to Devon to stay with Martine. To Battersea Park library. The preProm talk was about the co-operation between Juillard and Royal Academy and indeed the combined orchestra had a superb string sound. John Adams conducted Respighi and Ravel piano concerto with Imogen Cooper and City Noir. Tuesday to dentist and £30 to fix the tooth that broke off at end of cruise. Suggested private hygienist - £43! To St Helen's for end of term Mass and farewell to Jan and Rose and nice reception afterwards. New head not nice. Good to see everyone again. To preProm with pieces by Finnish woman Kaija Saariaho which were attractive and BBC Phil under Mena played Strauss Also sprach and Sibelius 7. Soprano flunked top note and some low notes in 4 last songs.

Dennis offered 4 year job in Manchester which is great. He had 2 other interviews and stayed over. More silly choir comments at practice. Did application for director of music at Clerkenwell RC Sat a.m. Recital at St John's for organists association AGM - one fumble before Mendessohn to find right stops and could not see Great to Pedal in Howells. Adrian to be President elect. Dennis glad I played Dad's suite. To National servers Mass at cathedral - sat in All Souls chapel. Organ very loud and people not singing. Procession out a mess. Tea at M & S then vespers and Mass. Excellent group from Paris sang Sheppard and MacMillan. Lou and Tom out to dinner and Ciarán did not wake. Saw him Sunday a.m. Coulsdon went OK Nicholson in G, Bob Chilcott The Lord is my shepherd, Worthy is the Lamb. Drove to Kennington and tube to Angel. Arrived at St Peter and St Paul Clerkenwell Angel at 12.30 p.m. Competent player (no pedals) on Eminent 2 manual, 2 good singers (professionals). Spoke t...

The second Saturday on in a row of 4 was a glorious day and I enjoyed my time in the park! Said goodbye to Gillian who is going to the new Wandsworth Town library and gave her gladioli, chocolates and card - we will miss her. She has been with us nearly a year and is excellent - no need to ask her to do a display, she just does one! The free slk painting course is going well and Pat, Ann and Jean from tai chi asked for copies of the photo. We need a couple more to make up the numbers. Lorinda came in and was pleased to see the display of recipes for Jamie Oliver's competition "My Nan's recipes". She is doing a Battersea heritage trail and I gave her some ideas. To vespers (only 3 clergy there) and Mass with 3 visiting concelebrants. On way home heard the National Youth orchestra prom Tchaikovsky first piano concerto with Stephen Hough on blistering form, Lutoslawski concerto for orchestra and Respighi Roman Festivals on BBC2. The conductor Vasily Petrenko is not much ...

An interesting prom on BBC4 Oliver Knussen conducting BBC symphony orchestra. Respighi Fountains of Rome, Virga by Helen Grime (young Scottish composer) Knussen's horn concerto played by Matthew Owen, Stravinsky Jeu de cartes and Balakirev Islamey arranged by Casella. Lots of empty seats! Watched part 2 of Classic Goldie and impressed once again by his work. Even Mark-Anthony Turnage liked it! We have tomatoes grown in our own hanging baskets! The weather is very changeable - lovely at lunch time in the park, then heavy rain on Thursday night, cleared up today. Listening to evensong from St Endellion - orchestral version of Mendelssohn Verleih uns frieden, Howells Coll Reg. The lovely red gladioli I got for the wedding anniversary were lovely while they lasted!

34 lengths as it was busy although I did get on the left hand side against the rope which was nice. Work experience Alex useless and refusing to do things again! He finished Friday - 4 days was quite enough. When asked if I would do a report I replied "Only if I have to!" "Will you miss me?" "Oh, yes!". 2 possible volunteers came in but neither of them very available at the moment although they are off school! Some of the younger generation just don't try! Alexander McCall Smith's "Corduroy Mansions" had me in fits of laughter! Home to watch on BBC4 the prom - BBC Philharmonic conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Mendelssohn Italian symphony (with my score which is an interesting Norton with 4 pages of miniature score to a page and themes highlighted) Maxwell Davies Roma amor (I fell asleep in this but caught up with it later) magnificent Respighi Pines of Rome and Rossini arias sung by Alaskan soprano Vivica Genaux. She has a fine mezzo color...