The organist librarian

Another glorious day. Played I know that my redeemer liveth and Bach Heut triumphiret. We sang Now the green blade riseth. Practised toccatas and Tuba tune.My friendly train driver tells me that ahead of the major timetable changes Southern are trying to get their drivers to join Thameslink and be retrained. Given the appalling record of relations with drivers the management must be mad! Why did they not plan ahead and check how many drivers were needed? To St Paul's cathedral for inspiring talk by Chris Webb Anglican Benedictine from Launde Abbey. His book is "God soaked life".Played Walther and Bach at evensong. Enjoying Simon Schama's Story of the Jews. We have visited Sephardis but I did not realise its importance. The Durrells and The Woman in white. Leg of lamb for dinner. It reached 22 degrees today! 

Played Michael Fleming's variations on Noel nouvelet and Slater Easter Alleluia. We sang "Sing God's Easter people sing" arranged John Barnard. Also Christopher Jones' splendid hymn "Faith overcomes" to Highworth by Terry - I think his widow lives locally. Also "O food of pilgrims" to the sublime Innsbruck. After 2 years I again found time to go through the organ music left by a predecessor and found some goodies. It does seem strange that he left all this music which is valuable. I seem to inherit organ music Dad, Alan now Paul and interesting the similar repertoire lots of Bach, English and French, Buxtehude. Enjoyed Rejoice in the Lamb from Norwich cathedral choral evensong. Well done Guildford for choral evensong for St Mark. I remember that hymn from my childhood at St Mark's Yeoville. Simon Schama brought Civilisations to a fine end. The Durrells excellent. I had not seen Wilkie Collins as a feminist - Woman in White episode 2.

Antiques roadshow featured dear Geoffrey giving a valuation of £1 million! Civilisations with David Olusoga very interesting. The programme on the arts scene in Beirut excellent - alas the one in Lisbon did not record. Started watching Simon Schama History of the Jews. To London Central 2 circle 1300th meeting and they were at Mass and a good dinner at the Passage. The roof terrace was much enjoyed and a lovely evening. The Queen is 92 today!

Lie-in and Bernard Noakes rang about the motion and procedure. Watched Simon Schama Civilisations . Good programme on Bacchus. RSCM voices conducted by Dan Soper at Mass this evening at the cathedral. Peter Stevens was playing. Watching the Gettys and University challenge.

Louise came to pick up the boys The wooden car and one of the side tables need glue. Lovely playing from Gary Sieling at St Stephen Wallbrook. Welcoming at the cathedral. Victorian giants of photography at NPG worth a visit also suffragettes. Simon Schama on story of the Jews. BBC Young musician of the year string final won by excellent cellist Maxim. Canterbury cathedral with Tony Robinson. 

Snow! Superb playing at Bloomsbury Baptist by Thomas Trotter. Bach,Wammes and Elgar sonata. Organ club there in force. Watched Michael Portillo in Georgia and Azerbaijan. Also Civilisations with Simon Schama. Emails about public speaking.       Played Brahms O God thou faithful God and Herzliebster Jesu and we sang Ah holy Jesus. Took hot water bottle to warm my hands! No service tonight which is a relief as the buses take an hour each way.                                            

Liz stayed at Acton and babysat so she could go to Ciaran's assembly. I went to art and finished the Jersey picture and did the ground for the Iguassu picture. We set off after lunch for Rochester airport and had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn. Had a short swim and to Rochester cathedral for evensong. Purcell in E minor. I felt the young assistant overconducted and there was not enough piano singing especially in Call to remembrance. The 6 men did well but tended to sing rather loudly. Saw Ben afterwards. We were back in time for the Medway Towns meeting and an excellent dinner with Michael and Ubbo Bakker. Slept well and had a swim and sauna and jacuzzi. Very good breakfast and then to St Thomas of Canterbury Rainham where Pete showed us the parish centre and church and we briefly met the new priest. It will be fine for the quiet day in May. Went to hearing aid clinic and I am due for a test and new moulds. He sorted out the broken left one and the tube and cleaned out the m...

Watched two films on the way back Testament of Youth which got very gory and Riot club which was disgusting. Hard to hear the dialogue. Simon Schama on Rembrandt was good.

The letter is edited and ready to go. It has been an exciting year. Watched Story of the Jews second part with Simon Schama. Table from lounge and shelf contents now in shed. Tree outside and lights up there and in dining room. The decorations take quite a while to put up! 

Watched TV programmes on wars of the Roses and Elizabethan England and Story of the Jews. Citizen Khan very funny.

Woke in the night going over recital music!. Liz was back serving on Sunday morning at the cathedral. I played Walton's Spitfire theme at service and the Couperin chant is coming along well. There was a meeting in church so to Kent House to meet Louise and Liz. Former had been on 10km Zoo run. Lunch and went through page turns and stop changes. There were 15 there including several organists and they enjoyed the programme. Once I calmed and settled I enjoyed it especially once the Wagner had been played. £80 for Tommys which is great. To evensong and there was a silver wedding party there being blessed and we had drinks in the hall - dinner in church later! Brewer in D. Richard Pilliner played Widor toccata. Home to watch Come dine with me, Antiques roadshow and Simon Schama on Jews. 

Friday found that the organ had not been tuned so sent an email to Vincent Coggin. Saturday blue sky all day so fixed the water feature in the garden, hoovered and practised at St John's for the recital next Saturday. The Lewis is a joy to play. Took bedding and clothes to St Vincent's and Liz got dinner at M & S for tomorrow. Fr Tim at Vespers and Mass insisted on candles on the altar which we no longer do! Sine Nomine from Rugby sang well. Byrd, Allegri and Phillips. Like last week finished at 7.15 p.m. Watched Schama on Obama's America and programme on the Earth.Young musician brass final featured Sam of Portsmouth cathedral choir on trumpet.

On the 9th I worked and to Vespers and Mass - Liz and I were a little late as on the bus. Fr Michael at mass. Train home. I always think this feast is intriguing. Why did Jesus have to be baptised? I think it was to show him and everyone around who He was. The voice from heaven is the whole point. He is then driven into the wilderness and begins his ministry with that amazing statement at Nazareth - "this day this prophecy is fulfilled". On the 10th we sang a lovely setting of "Come down O love divine" by Hilary Tadman-Robins born 1947 one year after me and I played Bach's "Christ the Lord to Jordan came" which was one of Dad's party pieces. I was rather chuffed I got the pedal part right. The left hand running semiquavers are more tricky. Spent the afternoon taking the tree and decorations down but the crib stays up until Candlemas. The tree in the front garden will have to stay for the moment because of the snow! The boxes are still waiting to go...