The organist librarian

On Friday listened to concert live from the Barbican - Sarah Connolly singing Berlioz Death of Cleopatra and Andrew Davis conducting BBC in Bliss Morning Heroes - such a shame I could not make out a single word! I once got Sir Arthur's autograph at the Albert Hall and told him his Royal Fanfares were played at our wedding (twice! because they were waiting for Fr Benedict from Ealing who didn't come!)

Swam 20. Liz went to Westfield about new glasses from Boots and got new Ecco shoes for me. I went to Bromley library and got everything except the Vaughan Williams - I suspect it was filed under Williams! I was asked to email my list in advance which did not work at Wandsworth! To Lakeland for peelers. To excellent discussion on Melbourne which made it sound a lot nicer than Sydney! Carmen Callil was rude about Australia's future because of the boat people situation and Paul Abbott's comments on Scotland. Melbourne like Glasgow to the beautiful Edinburgh and Sydney. Sydney is modern but it does have the harbour walks and ferries. The Melbourne SO is the oldest in Australia and Sir Andrew Davis conducted Strauss Don Juan, Elgar cello concerto with Truls Mórk (encore Britten) and Symphonie fantastique (encore Grainger). Liz did not make it. New sofas and comfortable sofa bed at Lou's and new fireplace has arrived and bathroom tiles. Wednesday decided to have a quiet day as S...

Proms got off to a great start to The Kingdom beautifully played, sung and conducted by Sir Andrew Davis with 4 great soloists, Erin Wall, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Andrew Staples and Christopher Purves. I have sing this work with Andrew Davis and it is splendid. Great to see all the gallery gang again and met Eleanor on the bus. She is still in BBC chorus. It was televised. After a sticky hot day storms are gathering again. Another tragedy Malaysian airliner shot down in Ukraine.

Swam 20. Put washing away and tidied up and had lunch. To Senate House library to get more scores and work on Davies and Walshe on Eckhart. Ironically now an invite to the Eckhart conference for £150 but it coincides with the end of the Proms and while I'd love to her Michael, Ganeri is also speaking! Lots of graduates about in gowns and mortar boards. No 10 bus to hall and late for talk. Vickie kept our seats. Last night some people stayed in the bar after first Prom and may not have paid for the Wilson Prom at all! One couple took our usual seats and then stood at the rail! Brilliant Billy Budd from Glyndebourne. Mark Padmore excellent and Andrew Davis conducted. It was a pity the talk got bogged down in whether Melville is gay or not! 

More reading of articles on Islam. Watched Michael Portillo in Cumbria and Isle of Man trains. Also Michael Berkeley's BBC4 programme on Belshazzar's Feast with Sir Andrew Davis, Lady Walton and Willard White in Leeds. Not impressed at Stephen Jackson's remarks.

Only 3 at practice as Audra is in Barnados for her 98 year old aunt's funeral and John has gone to Leeds as Nicole is not settling at university! Went through carol books seeking unusual items. Heard the end of Caractacus on radio 3 from the 3 choirs festival conducted by Andrew Davis - sounded great.

Liz went to hospital for preop assessment. The Prom was gorgeous. Elgar violin concerto with score played by Tasmin Little. There is sweet music. Percy Grainger and Strauss Till Eulenspiegel. Andrew Davis conducting BBC. Stayed on for late prom which was Grainger and folk music from Northumbria and was great fun, including smallpipes. Grainger's arrangements are quite extraordinary! Just missed a 70 and got to Acton at 12.30. Wednesday our 37th wedding anniversary - to Mass at Acton. Met Louise and Ciarán in park and he enjoyed waterplay. She took us for a lovely lunch at the Station House sea bream and she had lobster with Marlborough white wine. Delicious and a very hot day. Ciarán loved the paddling pool and playing being showered. To Prom BBC Scottish conducted by Donald Runnicles. Ravel and Debussy. The Dutilleux cello conerto a bit too dreamy and soft for the Proms? Lynn Harrell played a lovely Bach encore. Score for Prelude a l'apres, Bolero and part of Daphnis and Chlo...

At Coulsdon on Sunday endured "You shall go out with joy" for the 3rd time this summer and there were no children present! I played Vaughan Williams "Land of our birth" (wonderful tune) and Fantasia on Greensleeves and the beautiful Vierne Berceuse which I played 2 years ago at Mum and Dad's cremation. No need to practise so had coffee and chatted about Buckingham Palace and King Lear! Watched closing ceremony of the Olympics which was most impressive. Boris Johnson looked scruffy with jacket open and hands in pockets. Good use of London bus and wrote down lots of ideas for an opening ceremony using nursery rhymes and British things. To the Prom at 4 p.m. Simon Preston playing Bach. Met Daniel and Gill and Daniel's friend Bart. A cautious start but some fine playing and I followed most of it with my scores sitting on the floor. Halfway through some guy complained about the cushion squeaking. It was a plastic inflatable one BP issued at the ballet in Canary W...

Thursday's performance in the cathedral was very special! At the afternoon I spoke to Sir Andrew Davis and he signed my score. He remembered conducting the work with the chorus. James Gilchrist was a stunning Gerontius really singing out. I put him up with Stuart Burrowes as one of the finest I have heard. Peter Sidhorn a commanding Priest and Angel. Catherine Wyn Rogers has made the Angel her own and the final section was taken very slowly and tenderly. She bears comparison with my beloved Dame Janet Baker. The chorus did well we think and there was a good audience. Bruce came to sell programmes. We saw Gervaise afterwards and several friends. I certainly enjoyed the experience and it made me think hard about my end and what I have done in my life. Maybe we all need to think more about hell and judgement! Yes there is a loving God who will accept us all and purgatory seems like a logical idea especially for those who have no chance to repent. Othello has a line about not wishing t...