The organist librarian

I somehow omitted to mention going to hear Sir Arthur Somervell's Passion on Saturday March 24 at the beautiful St Anne's church, Vauxhall. It would be best to draw a veil over the efforts of the choir especially the sopranos but the soloists were good and the fine organ was sensitively played. The organ was preserved by Bishops and it was good to meet Manuel, the resident organist and see the console beforehand. It is a Walker from 1911. It was a shame that "My song is love unknown" was interpolated as this fine Ireland tune rather showed up Somervell but the real shock was to sing "Praise to the holiest" to the Dykes tune at the end instead of the splendid soaring Somervell tune which is the one bit of the work I know! The organist was Christopher Cromar, the conductor Noel Charles and the soloists Melanie Lodge, William Molesworth and Tim Storey.

We had a family service this morning attended by the uniformed organisations. Afterwards we recorded "Shine, Jesus shine" and "There is a longing" for Rose to take to Zimbabwe. The Mothers Union welcomed Alice on a visit from Zimbabwe in her lovely blue and white MU uniform. The recording went really well and the second takes are both the better ones. How moving Anne Quigley's setting is and it is good that it speaks of fear, grief, sickness and death. These are matters which all of us have to face including children and this song helps. And Zimbabwe needs the justice and freedom of which the song speaks. Last night we had deacons Richard and Peter in rose dalmatics at Mass and what a fine pair they are! It was good to be singing "Praise to the holiest" at the start. This is one of those hymns with 3 good tunes. Catholics know Terry, Anglicans divide between Dykes and Somervell although Terry is gaining some ground! It was a favourite of Cardinal Hume...