The organist librarian

18/9 10.15 mass celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan who seemed in a hurry. Lots of screens, organ and choir loud, cantor not good. Met Michael assistant organist and will be in touch. Baguette and coffee at Cafe Bouchon. Lego shop. Paley centre for media Startrek gallery and cartoon films. Joey Falco playing at St Patrick's Demessiux, Howells, Franck. very large acoustic and huge sounds. Met him and he has not been to London. To Museum of modern art Matisse, Picasso, Kai Althoff, collection of junk! Bruce Connery It 's all true disturbing films, maybe was well named. Ate at Xian Famous foods tasty and cheaper. To St Thomas 5th avenue met Prof Marcia in the queue inter cultural studies at New York university. superb concert St Thomas choir, orchestra of St Luke's cond by Sir Simon Rattle with Daniel Hyde. lark ascending, Elgar serenade, Faure requiem Daniel Moore exc soloist. Daniel played Bach on new Dobson organ. What a treat and thought of Lyn -funeral today and Lpuise ...

Woke early so looked up Dad's book (volume 1). It was 1962 when we went to the accountants congress in New York and played the final voluntary at St Bartholomew Park Avenue which has the largest organ in New York City. He played Thiman's Tuba Tune in E on 33 inches of wind pressure! It must have been a thrill as he often spoke of it. He did attend Mattins at St Thomas 5th Avenue and met Mr Self the organist. Tertius Noble went there from York Minster. He also went to evensong at the cathedral of St John the Divine where Alec Wyton presided so it was entirely right for me to play Wyton at St Thomas. I also played Healey Willan Fugal trilogy which Dad loved to play and Thalben-Ball and Andrew Moore. With Basil McEvilly he visited Boston, Niagara and Washington by greyhound bus and they survived on $5 a day! It was his last visit to see his mother in York. 

A lovely sunny day with clear sky. We set off early to get the full island cruise 2 and a half hours. Great to see the Statue of Liberty and all the fine bridges from the water. Got a bus across midtown to the United Nations to photograph the flags. Had sald at Europa bar in 5th avenue (long wait for loo) and then to St Thomas church to play the fine Aeolian Skinner organ. Everybody was very friendly including Ben Sheen who had not been told by John Scott. Played Wyton, Willan, Moore, Bedard and Thalben-Ball including prelude on St Thomas. The general sequencer made it easy. To MOMA which has very fien impressionists and Picassos and lots of modern works. Cake and drinks were expensive but very good. Good exhibition of Toulouse-Lautrec not so impressed by Robert Gober. Walked to Bloomingdales and then had a fine dinner at East of Eight near Leo House. Swordfish and sundae, 

Confirmation that I can play St Thomas New York in October and accommodation booked. Watched Portillo in Surrey, Great interior design challenge, Restoration house, catching up on Songs of Praise.