The organist librarian

Dreadful deluge. St Michael and all angels so we sang David Thorne's attractive setting of "God that madest earth and heaven". I played Willan and Thalben-Ball on Darwall's 148th and Hymne d'action de grace Te Deum of Jean Langlais which was much appreciated. It was Dad's FTCL piece and I often turned for him and I am using his copy. We heard about water projects in Uganda and relief for the Nepal earthquake from Alicia from International Funds UK. I forgot diary, coffee flask and fruit this morning but at least I had The Tablet to read and Organisms. Langlais told a master class "The trouble with you English organists is that you want to play ALL the notes". Watching Songs of Praise 10 top favourite hymns. 10. I the Lord of sea and sky (individualistic) 9. Be still for the presence of the Lord. 8. Amazing grace. 7. Guide me O thou great redeemer. 6. I vow to thee my country. 5. Abide with me. 4. Dear Lord and Father. 3. In Christ alone. 2 How gr...

Li to the cathedral and I read 3 articles listening to radio 3 including Poulenc Concerto for 2 pianos. Wrote art exhibits round up for The Lion. Bruce came for his suit adn I picked up Dennis and Ann Marie at 1 p.m. Claire drove us over to Acton using Satnav so we went a diifferent way There were 8 baptisms but it was a lovely occasion. Dennis was godfather and at last we got a photo of the whole family. To the George and Dragon for hot food and delicious chocolate cake. Both boys were impeccably behaved and Ciaran did some good colouring-in. Home by 8.30 and dropped off during Antiques roadshow. Watched Michael Wood on India. Lovely Songs of Praise on choral singing from Soctland.

Tuesday evening to Southwark cathedral for the recording session and all went smoothly. Diane Louise Jordan did her presentations. Liz got moved from next to the Dean to the front row of the choir stalls next to the communications director for the diocese. Finished around 10 p.m. after a lot of loud singing. It will be on in Sept and February. Neva and Caroline said they would not do it again - perhaps they thought it was just recorded in one take!

Friday morning to St John's Upper Norwood for the funeral of Revd Beverley's father Cliff who was a soldier. Her 3 brothers spoke about his career and upright character. The music was Faure Requiem Kyrie and In Paradisum and Edgar Bainton's !And I saw a new heaven". Just time to grab some sandwiches and got earlier train to be in to work by 1 p.m. Finished PRP interviews Monday morning and went to Platform One restaurant at Clapham Junction for launch of project to employ more disabled people. The patissier provided cakes and we enjoyed samosas. Spoke to several councillors including the deputy Mayor of Wandsworth Peter Dawson who had heard about this blog! I shall have to be careful what I say? Spoke to Lorinda Freint, lady who organises ceramics and disabled employment advisor. Tai chi was cancelled. To Southwark cathedral for rehearsal for Songs of Praise. A fine body of singers but everything so loud! Paul Leddington Wright excellent and Peter Wright playing. Neva ...

The water feature yesterday shows how cold it is but today it is even more frozen although still flowing! Liz went up to Grandma's while I got up early to get the hourly train to Coulsdon so I had lots of time to practise. Choir turned up late and wandered around getting glasses so I got rather cross and said we must start singing at 9.20 a.m. Actually the anthem "Three kings" went really well and there were lots of compliments for John Linney. 2 buses home straight away and walked home from Grandma's for late lunch. A delicious ham and finished off the Fish Hoek white wine. Watched Songs of Praise about astronomy, a programme on the Star of Bethlehem, Antiques roadshow, Lark Rise to Candleford and a fascinating play about Shaun Greenhaulgh who fooled the art world.

Icon Church of the Nativity Bethlehem Helen Suzman was a relentless critic of South Africa's Nationalist government. For 13 years, as sole member of the Progressive Party in parliament, she was the only MP to speak out against racial segregation, at a time when only the white minority enjoyed the right to vote. Born in 1917 to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, she married Dr Moses Suzman, who became one of South Africa's leading physicians. Five years after graduating from Witwatersrand University, she joined the staff as a lecturer in economic development. Helen Suzman's interest in disadvantaged urban Africans increased after she became a member of the South African Institute of Race Relations. She began to take an active role in politics after the 1948 election, when the mildly liberal United party was replaced by the National party, with its rigid policy of apartheid. Racial discrimination In 1952, standing for the United party, she was elected to the Hou...

I practised the organ and went through Compline with Vickie. Liz stayed at the cathedral - she was cantor at morning prayer and 5.30 Mass and she fitted in a visit to John Lewis. I watched Protestant Revolution part 1 and Songs of Praise school choirs (all 6 excellent) and Lark Rise. Listened to fine evensong from Kings' College Cambridge on radio including Rachmaninov canticles. To the cathedral for Oliver's recital - Vierne Symphony No. 3 well played and then to Westminster Abbey for Michael Martin's fine recital. Bach Prelude and Fugue in F minor, Brahms O welt ich must dass lassen and Alain Trois Danses. Met Isobel. Brought Liz home and then to Compline. I played Bach Erbarm dich and O sacred head preludes. All went well.

At Coulsdon we sang Oldroyd Mass of the quiet hour and Harris "Holy is the true light" at David Steer's request. In the congregation was the original treble soloist for the Mass and I am trying to persuade him tow rite about the experience. The choir gave David a framed photo and there was sherry after service. We sang "Thy hand O God has guided" and Thiman's voluntary on Harwood's "Thornbury". Met with Vickie to choose music for February. Home for lunch and then to Vespers at the cathedral where the Dean of St Paul's preached and the choir sang Palestrina. Tom Winpenny from St Paul's played Bach and Reger in his recital. I was cantor at the 5.30 mass and all went well except for the plainchant Gloria which I didn't know. Martin Baker improvised amazingly as always. Watched some of Antiques roadshow and Lark rise to Candleford. Malcolm Hubble will deputise in June and November and I did the February music list. Songs of Praise featu...

A quiet Wednesday catching up on watching HDDs from the Proms, Songs of Praise and Antiques Roadshow and a splendid new work by Jonathan Dove for the 60th birthday of Radio 3. To St Michael's for the recital by David Davies sub-organist of Guildford cathedral. This was a good programe including works by David Johnson and Seth Bingham reflecting the organist's time in America. Also Bach, Bruhns and de Grigny. The latter was unexpectedly loud. Howells's Siciliano for a high ceremony is unusual. He finished with Fidelis and Fanfare by Percy Whitlock. To chorus where Mark Griffiths rehearsed Carmina Burana excellently. His instructions are clear and helpful. Had a chat to him in the break about the Fidelio in Oxford - he sang at Christ Church for 2 terms.