The organist librarian

To Mass and Henry came and played very happily. It seems Halfords did not fit the new car seat correctly at all. To quiet time. Superb Prom by Czech Philharmonic. Smetana, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich 8. Semyon Bychkov conducting.

To Mass and Liz did shopping. Concert 53 for John and 33 pre Prom talks. Delightful art group garden party dodging rain. Super Tchaik Manfred and Rachmaninoff piano concerto 1. Great to see  Michael Butterfield  from Sydney who is starting postgrad organ course at RAM and staying in new student accomodation in Goldhawk Road. Good discussion on Byron with Sam West doing thee readings. Saw Chris Tew on train and got home in 45 minutes.

Liz decided to stay home. Bychkov conducted BBC SO in Thomas Larchner (outstayed his welcome) Wagner Wesendonck lieder well sung by Elisabeth Kulman I  was greatly amused by the comment at the preProm talk that Richard Strauss was so middle-class he would shop at Waitrose. Where would composers get their food? Britten Aldeburgh stores and Fortnum and Mason. Elgar Worcester and delivered. Vaughan Williams Dorking and delivered - good English beef. Wagner - no shopping for him - everything paid for by somebody else! German composers - German shops Chopin and Szymanowski - Polish delicatessan n.  Alpine symphony with a terrific storm featuring the organ! An hour to get home.  Watched Prom with Barenboim and Argerich playing a 10 minute encore! 

Louise went back home after breakfast. I went to 8 a.m. Mass at St Mary's - little Indian priest who said "heaven persevere you" instead of "preserve"! They now play taped music of plainchant. Pat Ryan was there. At St Michael's we sang "He who would valiant be", All creatures, Father hear and Happy are they (Mum's favourite and she died 8 years ago this week). I played Thalben-Ball. Peeters and Walton Henry V music. The CDs have arrived and look good. John Williams had made a ridiculous fuss on email about them. What church treasurer want to return a cheque? Idiot and rude with it. To St John's vicarage for garden lunch - played football. Dennis came. I went to the Prom of Elektra, Rebecca was there and not so many in gallery. Sounds like Salome last night was great but there were queue jumpers - weekend ticket holders. Amazing singers not least Felicity Palmer.

Saturday helped Liz with Power Point notes. To Southwark cathedral to see display of photos from interfaith walks and Fr David was on duty! To M & S to buy picnic and Royal Academy to see the pathetic Mexico exhibition - mostly photos - once again Brian Sewell was right! Arrived at the hall at 1 p.m. and 4th in queue -did some reading of Maurice Walshe and Tablet (Brian has a short piece about World Youth Day). The talk was a bit dull. The concert performance was excellent and the BBCSO were transformed by Bychkov. All the singers did well. Nice couple next to me and chat to Matt when I was trying to cool off on the stairs. Bus and train straight away!