The organist librarian

A wet Bank holiday Monday.  Today's Cadogan hall Prom definitely a highlight - Barber, Debussy and the Shostakovich Piano quintet. The second movement is Bach alla Shostie and is magnificent. Great Dvorak encore too! Home for lunch and Adventist wedding was holding up traffic so parked for the evening at West Norwood. Tried to follow Boulez Eclat with score without success!  An interesting talk about Willa Cather by Dame Hermione Lee and a fine concert by the San Francisco SO Ives, Bartok Piano concerto no. 2 and the Eroica.

To mosaic. Once again I have paid for 4 sessions 2 of which I will miss. Progress on Madonna's face very good.  Liz took Ciaran to Kidscape at Purley which he enjoyed. Very heavy rain. The Cadogan Hall prom was Jeremy Denk playing Scriabin, Bartok and the last Beethoven sonata. His introduction was excellent and his playing brilliant. Got very wet walking from bus stop. Ciaran went to see Molly.Li stened to the Philharmonia's Prom at home - Bartok, lovely Mozart and Shostakovich. Enjoyed Haydn Symphony no.90 (the audience fell into the trap!) and Barber from the Boston Symphony orchestra on Iplayer with scores. V ery impressed by TV broadcast of Nielsen with the Danish National Symphony orchestra conducted by the splendid Fabio Luisi .

Tuesday swam 34. Ironing watching The Hour and found I had to put in hearing aids to hear it on my computer which is a tad worrying. Washing. Back roof has been completely done and looks great. Hoovered. To pre-Prom talk with clarinet, trumpet and trombone from Royal Philharmonic orchestra talking about the programme and working in such a busy orchestra. Sat with Martin Ball. Copland Fanfare, Bax Symphony No.2 with score, Barber Adagio for strings, Bartok Piano concerto 2 with score - amazing pianist, Prokofiev Symphony No.4 with a triumphant conclusion. 2 buses to acton and there in 30 minutes! Very good value 2 and half hours of music and a good attendance.

To church having woken early and made picnics and sandwiches. Vickie asked me to stop practising before the service - this was at about 9.20 so I went down to the piano. This is the opposite of last summer when she said people enjoyed it! I played Boyce, Barber Adagio and Dad's march. We sang "Dear Lord and Father" just as we did at Mass last night. Picked up Liz and arrived at royal College of Music in good time for choral workshop on Klagende Lied with Anna ? who had some wierd warmups involving clapping. An interesting work and a good session. To Da Mario through a shower in Gloucester Road for delicious buffalo cheese, pizza Diana, prosecco and tartuffo. Debbie Miles-Johnston came in - she was singing in the concert. To RCM for talk on the work and the concert was great. Gardner conducting, Christian Tetzlaff played Brahms violin concerto. The 6 Westminster Abbey boys were heroes of the hour - had score for second part only. Watched Sugartown on return home.

Swam 36. To South London interfaith group lunch at Streatham Hill - not many there. I was asked to speak about the Pope's visit. Liz served at Mass to mark Mother Teresa's birthdate. Prom on BBC4 - Mark-Anthony Turnage Hammered out, Barber violin concerto and Sibelius 2. Good programme on Sibelius early years.