The organist librarian

To Mass. Went to Battersea to get mosaics but found room locked as flower arrangers not there. Contacted Pat and she will let me know when I can go again in the morning. Home for lunch. Played for 2.30 funeral at Caterham. No coffin! We were told very little about Carole apart from her love of travel and arranging trips through the Miller centre! I played Faure, Vierne, Moore and Handel. To preProm talk on Sargent - he was a Christian and stayed in England during the War working incredibly hard. First conducted at 14 and Henry Wood allowed him to conduct his composition. He saw himself as the music not the musicians for whom he had little empathy denying them contracts and pensions! No wonder they did not like him!  I first saw him when I was aged 14 when my Dad arranged for both of us to sit in front of the huge Johannesburg Town Hall organ. Harry Stanton played the organ for The Planets and was shown how to do the glissando with both arms! For some reason we wore evening dress p...

To St Lawrence Jewry to hear Catherine Ennis play - interetsing programme includign Delius and Durufle. To St Stephen Walbrook for walk round city churches. Chose St Bartholomew the less, St Sepulchre, St Andrew Holborn and Tony Tucker who is outstanding took us also to St Etheldreda's - quite a walk but lots of fascinating detail including an unusual clock and garden near St Paul's Greyfriars where queens are buried. Henry Wood's ashes at St Sepulchre, windows to Nellie Melba and John Ireland and Sargent memorial. St Andrew's has lovely icons and organ Handel played from Coram foundling chapel. Served at volunteers mass and to the Abbey to hear Margaret Phillips play Guilmant, Alcock, Bach and Fredrik Sixten. Had an excellent seat so could see her at the console. Wed last music session until Sept. Very nice soup at vegan cafe in Bethnal Green and Liz took Ciarán to the museum of childhood. To London Buddhist centre and 8 came - excellent guide and beautiful Buddha pain...