The organist librarian

Angela Tilby led day of prayer at St Margaret's on Seeking the face of God. Wonderful talks. Had lunch at Methodist Central Hall. Had the shrine to myself!!!! Evensong Noble in B minor and favourite anthem Wesley Ascribe unto the Lord. The boys were great not so sure about some of the men. The B team? Harwood sonata movement. Had a look in the new Waterstones near Victoria. It's huge. Bishop Paul confirmation. His Irish accent is so think I did not understand his homily at all. He filled the chalice so Aymeric and I had to drink it! Patrick seemed confused! Fr John helped out.  To fit the gospel played Bach O lamm Gott unschuldig and Handel Behold the lamb of God. We sang Webbe Lamb of God. Full marks to Imogen who had been to see the exhibition. She found it too sad to bid! Reached Caterham station in time and tried to get on train. Turns out front 4 coaches only. Furious with 2 staff more concerned with waving the train out. They could have made it wait. Why long trains on...

To mosaic and Linda is back after her op. At St Michael Cornhill I was delighted that Benjamin Newlove played a British programme. We were confused that the Harwood and Stanford were reversed! To eye test and current glasses are good for 2 years. Watching Judy Dench in Borneo. Liz went to maths and I went to Bromley circle meeting.

To Bedford Park for start of the festival. Oxbridge organ duo were fun. Ad Wammes worked well, the Wesley was a bit too long. Briggs on Veni creator Welcoming at cathedral and met 2 nice Americans and new shop manager. She is keen to produce children's guides. To Tate Britain to see Frank Bowling. Artists who pour paint on canvases do not impress. The photos and films by Joanna Pietrowska are wierd. A film of a hand stroking another arm and hand felt repulsive where it should be a tender gesture! Choir practice Tallis too slow and such a strain. Alan complained of loud singing from the tenors and David is loud but it was Brewer in D with top Gs! Louise and the boys arrived. Finished printing the memoir of John East and the prayers for Liz. Sir Stephen Cleobury and Sir Simon Russell Beale! 

We sang Lead me Lord by Wesley and I played Stanford on St Columba and Percy Whitlock on King's Lynn which is a great tune. Inspired by recent recitals and master classes I am working on Franck Choral no. 3. Lamb chops and homemade banoffie pie. Yum. At evensong Dyson in F and Howell Like as the Hart love that anthem. Fr John met with the choir and there was a frank and good conversation. Excellent vespers from Leeds and Berlioz from BBC Scottish. Boys and Lou arrived. Call the midwife, banoffie pie and white wine. Monday slept in so no swim or Mass. Wet so trip to British wildlife centre off. To West Norwood to collect our clock and Liz took boys to cinema. Tuesday finished the jigsaw which took most of 2 days. I did get to Mass but not mosaic.  Wed to Horniman museum. Took the boys to Brick Wonders, aquarium and sketching at the Horniman. Lunch at the Capitol Wetherspoons Forest Hill. Jonathan Gorsky gave a fascinating talk on Jewish/Catholic relations and 11...

I warmed to the  new Mander organ at St Mary Merton Park after a while. Lunch at Elys. Fine organ at St Mary's Wimbledon village. Rather a lot of walking. The Mass at Anerley for feast of St Simon and St Jude was for Canon Gerald Coates RIP long a member of Society of St Gregory and a wonderful man. His funeral is Nov 9 at noon Arundel cathedral..  Why do some organ teachers tell students not to wear shoes? It is so dangerous and Peter Hurford is adamant that shoes improve your pedalling.  Daniel Cook from Durham cathedral played superbly at Bloomsbury Baptist - Parry, Byrd, Elgar Prelude and Angel's farewell from Gerontius (one of my favourites) and Bairstow. I was sorry to miss the Howells and Willan. Piccolo Lasso from Dublin sang beautifully at the cathedral Bodley Mass and Welsey Love one another. fr Michael was chatting about Hereford and Fr Michael Quaqoe is back from Ghana. Furious that it appeared that the cassocks I had taken off the rack for replacement had be...

Played Wesley Holsworthy church bells (strangely no bell ringing today!) and Stanley. Choir of 5 sang Purcell Hear my prayer 2 part version well. Great music! I   listened to the Walkure final scene from last night's Prom conducted by Mark Wigglesworth. Super! Delivered letter in Polish to South Norwood Polish priests about Catenians. Baked cinnamon pastries. Enjoyed old films of Solomon and Arrau playing Beethoven.  As one would expect from Jurowski an exciting Beet 9 at the Prom. Pity about flute tuning and one or 2 sopranos not quite high enough also a restless audience on a warm night! Good soloists. Did not much like the new piece! Home in record time 50 minutes door to door! Enjoyed Father Brown episode. 

Norman Harper gave a fine recital at Grosvenor chapel ending with Bach's Passacaglia. Charles Dickens museum has a lot about Dickensian a series I really enjoyed.  Evensong at Westminster Abbey Byrd 2nd service, Wesley Cast me not away. Canon White excellent talk on Benedictine stability. Like Comment

My second Sunday of the interregnum - there are significant changes in the congregation and new church wardens. Fr Leon sings everything including the Gospel. He is enthusiastic and clearly enjoyed my playing. We managed the psalm on minimal rehearsal and I played Ridout;s fun piece on "This joyful Eastertide" (A lady asked about this hymn - she really liked it) Archer on St Fulbert and Willan on Vulpius and also did some improvising! When practising had a go at Bach passacaglia and final section of Messiah. Service now startsa round 10.50 so it means getting to St Paul's cathedral for 1 p.m. talk unlikely. Nice chicken for lunch and watched Sex and the Church and National Gallery and Rick Wakeman on Vivaldi Four Seasons. At evensong we sang Walmisley in D minor and Wesley The Lord hath been mindful of us. Benediction. Dennis and Ann Marie came down.

To All Saints West Dulwich for Tim's funeral which started at 12 noon. We got there early and the service lasted 2 hours. It was touching and the singing was splendid both from the church choir and the choir of friends. Ian Partridge spoke. James Bowman, Peter Wright, Stephen Disley, lay clerks and the Tobins with Colin Mawby from the cathedral. Norman Harper played Wesley. We heard some of Tim's music and Edgar Bainton, Byrd, Wesley and Purcell. It was all splendidly done but with a human touch catching Tim's eccentricity. Liz stayed for the buffet but I went to Bloomsbury Baptist where I heard John Peacham talking about German chorale preludes and their use. After tea Ben Bloor played brilliantly. He is to be scholar at the cathedral. Wills, Bach, Karg-Elert, and Farrington. I doubt if he will play Bolcom on Amazing Grace at the cathedral. His technique is brilliant and he looks like a schoolboy. He plays in flat shoes which look like sneakers! Confirmation by Bishop Joh...

Played Christ the Lord to Jordan came of Bach both versions in Clavierubung. Found a box at church for the organ music which I am selling and also had a first look at Alan's organ music - he must have spent a fortune! Watched Christmas university challenges and some Christmas Songs of Praise. How can O holy night be the nation's favourite above In the bleak - it's not even a congregational carol! Evensong Stanford in B flat and There shall a star of Mendelssohn. To Christ's chapel Dulwich for a joint recital by the Harpers in memory of Tim Penrose and also the organ builder Bill Drake. Purcell, Wesley (which didn't work so well with the tuning), Buxtehude, Bach, Nigel Ogden. Vincent Nicholls is to be Cardinal - brilliant! 

Swam 20. Cold day again. To Beckenham Parish church to hear Nigel Groome play. Chat to Ken. Joan Conway was a bit odd. Nice pieces by Harris, Alain, Willan, Archer, Alcock and Wesley - no mention of Britten or St Cecilia. Also 50 years since Kennedy was shot! Liz to doctor - she has virus. I went to Tescos to try and get Real Advent Calendar, Liz's prescription and ordered oasis for Advent wreath at florists. Catenian council at home - lots of drinks and snacks - went on to 9.50! I am to do President for another year! 

Day started badly - left scarf behind, phone had no power. Parked at Kent House and arrived in good time at St Margaret's Westminster - I had left my cushion behind and the pews are hard. Liz had retreat day for the course. Bishop Christopher Herbert is retired Bishop of St Albans and he spoke so well on "Painting, poetry and prayer". Elizabeth Jennings' poetry on the paintings of Mantegna, Van Gogh, Palmer, Chagall and most movingly of all Rembrandt. It was brilliant! The logistics are not good getting through the crowds to get to the loos and queuing for coffee - why can't they set up an urn in the church? Had my lunch and read Tablet - I have 3 to catch up on. Interesting review of "Mary and Martha" which we watched last night. To evensong and for some reason we were all put in the transepts rather than the choir - it was cold! Walton Chichester service not to my taste but the Wesley anthem was nice, Saw Canon Tremlett and the Dean as I left to the s...

Took car to Selhurst and bus to Norwood Junction. Train and bus delayed so arrived at St Paul's cathedral at 10 to 11. Result no booklet for the service - about 40 people had the same problem. 3 less well known hymns Christ triumphant, Jesus shall reign, How shall I sing that majesty. Wesley Thou wilt keep him, Byrd introit, Walton Coronation Te Deum. Will Todd spoke. Michael Parkinson and Willard White did not show but Dame Kiri did! Duchess of Gloucester was there. Spotted Alistair in the procession. Frankly the echo doesn't help and I had no idea what the new anthem was about -it was a Jubilate by Alec Roth! Saw Chris Hollis and got a booklet. Grabbed an EAT sandwich and very slow bus ride as there had been a big student demo - 10,000 in the rain. The Lost Prince at National Portrait Gallery worth seeing - he died in 1712. Much of his legacy has gone. COleridge-Taylor, Alma-Tadema and Booth centenaries exhibitions. Bought cathedral guide in case I do have to do the Heythrop...

Tuesday to meet Angela Wallace a Christian scientist interested in interfaith at M & S Victoria. She is a charming Capetonian and we had much in common. Served at 5.30 mass with Fr Alexander and the boys sang Handel Wash me throughly and Lead me Lord and Goller setting. Took clothes to the Passage. Lecture by Archbishop Kevin on interreligious relations - he is not a good speaker but said some good things and answered my question about the tension between Jesus as the Way and dialogue.He does tend to waffle but he was friendly and Archbishop Vincent was there. 4 of the group were there and went on bus with Thomas from my class. The Augustinian seminarians are giving him a hard time. Back to Acton by 10.30 p.m. Wednesday another glorious day so to Bekonscot. Ciarán loved the trains and the slides - thought the Thomas engine too noisy. Went on the little train ride. It was a great day out and we came back via Amersham - very pretty. Sat in the garden and he made mudpies! To the cathe...

Could not get to cathedral Lent group - morning spent cleaning and afernoon reading. To 5.30 Mass too late to serve. Boys sang Goller Mass, Handel Wash me throughly and Wesley Lead me Lord - lovely. Fr Alexander. Coffee latte at Starbucks. To cathedral hall for Faith matters lecture by Professor John Morrell of Cambridge. Met Ausra Liz's new tutor and Fr Dominic introduced me to the speaker. Interesting insight into Catholic history and how many priests survived Elizabethan persecution! Some interesting questions too. Tube and 266 bus to Acton and watching Big fat gypsy wedding and Richard Dimbleby lecture. Wednesday took Ciarán and Louise to music in car but he was not bothered at all so gave up. After a nice chicken wrap we drove home and he slept. It did not take him long to find the Thomas DVD, books and track and later he played in the house in the garden and had a lovely bath. He loved his new Thomas blowup bed! More reading and Liz watching One born every minute. Going to Al...

We started with I look from afar by Palestrina and sang the Wood in the Phrygian mode setting and Martin How's Advent message. I played Peeters on Conditor alme and Lloyd Webber on Helmsley. Baptism well attended - even people in the gallery! Bought some cakes. Kids singing well. To lunch at Exhibition Room Crystal Palace - lovely beef and chocolate brownie. Bit annoyed by service charge being added on but lovely food and good to see them. Advent carols from St John's included Giles Swayne and Jonathan Harvey. To Southwark cathedral for carols - candle burnt right down! Wesley The Wilderness, This is the record of John and Boyce Where shall wisdom be found. The new Maxwell Davies Advent calendar written for the Queen's Jubilee choir book is effective. The 2 choirs were joined by the choir from Richmond, Virginia. Great hymns and super Bach Toccata in F at the end. Liz went to Advent carols at South Norwood baptist church. Antiques roadshow.

Arrived at Coulsdon to find there was a baptism and "Christ is the king" was replaced by Channel of your peace at the end of the service - not a good closer. We sang How's "Day by day". I played Saint-Saens transcription of 3rd symphony which David appreciated. Short organ practice before Refresh which involved the two girls so rehearsed with Sean. Read Cox on phenomenology of religion. To evensong Walmisley in D minor and Wesley's "The Lord hath been mindful of us" which was painfully slow and lugubrious! Pork for dinner and fruit pudding. Watched Antiques roadshow and Downton Abbey and listened to some of "Let the people sing".

To Westminster Abbey - I was late so was greeted by the Dean in full rigout! A splendid service with msuic by Palestrina and Child. Wesley's Ascribe unto the Lord and a stunning commission Vast ocean of light from Jonathan Dove. The hymns were the Old 100th, I heard the voice of Jesus say and O praise ye the Lord. Horrid Messiaen at the end! Saw Adrian, Terence, bass from the Nicholson singers, Dorio and Anne Walsh from interfaith group. It doesn't work as well in the Abbey. Good sermon from Lord Griffiths. I did not get to speak to John Hawes. Nearly walked into Whitehall and missed student protests - police closed it off so tube to Temple for Matthew Martin's recital of Peeters, Schumann and Francis Pott Toccata. Oliver Brett was there.

Tuesday Daphne came and said I looked tired - I certainly feel early retirement should be considered. One of the new RFID machines is not working properly and the engineer did not turn up. Home to watch a bit of the tiger programme before dropping off! Wednesday to Glyn Close for more clearing up and then to St Michael's for Jonathan Price's recital. He is from Bristol and played Whitlock, Guilmant and Puccini. To Woodside Green before the dentist which took an hour for a crown and filling costing £191 and now a bridge is proposed costing £1100! Evensong from Chichester cathedral featuring Welsey and Harris and marking 50 years of the Southern Cathedrals festival. To the cathedral for Matthew Martin's excellent recital of Litaize, Alain, Langlais, Whitlock Elegy and Francis Pott's toccata. Chatted to Peter Stevens, Martin Ball and Jack Beeson. Watched programme about Sunningdale school and more of the Pope's Mass in Birmingham.

Friday to meeting at Battersea and a phone call about Monday's disaster. To choir and 2 missing but we covered all the ground and had a discussion prior to the meeting due for October 1st. As John cannot come on 3rd and 17th asked choir to make suggestions and we tried a few more items in the Oxford book of flexible anthems some of which the choir rejected immediately! Watched at 6 p.m. the memorable service from Westminster Abbey. Rowan Williams gave a great address and so did the Pope. His speech in Westminster Hall was impressive too. Liz has been watching the live web cast 24 hours coverage. Saturday we were up in good time to watch the Mass from the cathedral which was most impressive. wonderful music as there was at the Abbey and again a very fine homily. We spotted the servers and people we know. Sad that we were not asked to take part but there were some girl servers! We left for Hyde Park and arrived there at 3 p.m. so we were in the second row of the invited pilgrims area...