The organist librarian

We sang Brother James's Air so played Darke Meditation and RVW Hyfrodol. Archdeacon Moira. To death awareness event which was well supported. Then open garden in Burbage Road, Herne Hill. Traffic bad because of football match. Cindy Kennett was serving tea and met her sister and the wife of Aziz who was a bass in the chorys. Evensong lots of unison Dyson and hymns too loud. Orb and Sceptre at end not very good. The last Durrells was superb! Victoria also finished. Sidney reported John East was responsive and liked the radio. 

We sang O sons and daughters so I played the voluntary by Christopher Tambling and in the same book Barry Ferguson on Maccabeus. Finished with Worthy is the Lamb and Amen. Bit tired. Buses both ways. Listening to Choir and Organ. Still tired so am not going to choral evening at St Mary Caterham. It's just too far from home and it has been a stimulating but exhausting week. To Mass at Anerley. How dull it was compared to Anglican He is risen indeed Alleluia! The Orthodox really know how to celebrate Easter! We have emasculated the Alleluia! Enjoyed The Durrells and Victoria very much. Easter from King's was excellent. Jennifer Johnston superb and Stephen Cleobury is to be complimented. The boys sing with expression but why do the men adopt such bland faces? Is no enjoyment allowed? How can you sing Hallelujah without using the eyes and express joy? I did laugh at the male altos singing Ingemisco.

Served at Morning prayer at the cathedral. Superb choir and strepitus. Not sure it was a good idea to kneel for the Anerio. I was extinguisher 1.  Having a lovely family day at Acton delicious lunch and a sleep! The 3 boys are having fun! Back at midnight from serving at a fabulous Easter Vigil at the cathedral. The Vierne and anthems from the choir were absolutely stunning and the organ was just magnificent. The Cardinal again gave a fine homily and there were 4 baptisms and 12 confirmations. The neo-catechumenate attended in large numbers. Now to bed and up at 4 a.m. !Arrived at church 4.57 amazing full moon. The porch decorated with Easter eggs and flowers.Both Easter services went really well with good singing from the choir and cooked breakfast in between. Played Hallelujah chorus and Saraband for the morning of Easter and we sang 4 vigil psalms, Sing choirs of heaven and This joyful Eastertide. Fell asleep watching Pope Francis! Now enjoying St Mary Warwick broadcast. I...

-2 and 468 late so missed 407. Light snow! Palm Sunday was always special for Dad as that was the first service he played. We sang Ah holy Jesu. Played Kauffman on St Theodulph, Brahms Herzliebster Jesu, Walther Passion chorale. A young man appreciated Tears of grief - he had been listening to St Matthew Passion yesterday. Britten rightly said that the Passion settings should be heard in Holy Week. Orange cranachan for lunch dessert. Death cafe was very interesting. Palm Sunday evening service not so exciting - Fr Andrew was a bit of a liability. O sacred head too loud! Daniel said he had read the pamphlet about Augustine and original sin. Boys and Louise arrived. great to see them. Watched The Durrells and a remarkable interview with Janet Baker. Part of Victoria. 

Purcell Hear my prayer in 2 parts. Love those clashes. Played Bach aria Descent from the Cross from St Matthew passion and Fantasia in C minor. Elaine is back Praise the Lord!Enjoyed Anne-Marie Garton's sermon today about Mary pouring nard over Jesus' feet. We even got hand cream to smell! That's a first!  Revd Lucy Winkett packed room at St Paul's. She spoke so movingly on the Cross. We can look away, or look, or be looked at. The link with the empty tomb and Eucharist vital. We must contemplate atrocities now. Half the nations of the world torture. It is easy to have a lukewarm response to suffering until it comes to us. Be near me Lord when dying, that I may fight befriended.... The cross of life. Everywhere there are mothers and children uncomforted. Duck for lunch. Evensong Willan setting got changed to Batten. Benediction - organ too loud again. The Durrells and Victoria both excellent. 

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! 

Good Shepherd Sunday. Mike spoke at Mass last night he is 3rd year at Allen Hall. Today we sang Brother James' Air and I played Harold Darke's lovely meditation and Bach preludes. I was privileged to have met Dr Darke. Had a first go at Norman Cocker's Tuba tune. The tuba is out of tune and I noted the flute playing c# with top D. Must be the heat. Good sermon from Anne-Marie Garton. At evensong we sang Panis angelicus and Faux bourdons. The last hymn Come ye faithful I recall an anthem by Thatcher. Liz went to help at St Bartholomew's orchestra concert. I watched Durrells, London marathon highlights and Woman in White.

Yet again my 8 a,m, train was cancelled and I was on the bus to Caterham. Website says disruption until 10a.m. Please take an alternative train. There is NO alternative train! We sang This joyful Easter tide and I played Alan Ridout's cheeky piece on the tune and the more sedate Thalben-Ball. Willan on Vulpius at the end with tuba. 2 in choir. Why did we have to sing Before the throne again? Watching close of Commonwealth Games. Well done Birmingham great show #Brum At evensong played Philip Moore and Douglas Guest on St Fulbert and Bach Christ lag variations. 4 at evensong incl Jerry and myself. What is the point!  Watched The Durrells, Big painting challenge on portraits. Work is to start at St Michael Beckenham 3 years after I left! 

Drove to Caterham as trains cancelled. Miserable day. We sang O sons and daughters and I played Christopher Tambling on the tune and Worthy is the Lamb which was much appreciated. Annual meeting was interesting. Annual report not as comprehensive as Upper Norwood. I did a small display about the choir and there was discussion of the school and my efforts were appreciated. Ingrid Bergman programme interesting - she had 3 husbands and just left her children! Painting challenge excellent. Enjoying Keble college Radio 3 broadcast - a splendid organ! Programme on Jesus' women disciples.

Up at 4.40 a.m. to get to Caterham for the vigil at 6.15 a.m. 4 psalms and had fun looking up some of the saints in the litany! Breakfast then 10 a.m. which drew a much larger congregation. The choir did well "Sing choirs of heaven" by Richard Shephard. Great to have Ben with us. I played Hallelujah chorus and Saraband for the morning of Easter. I have wriiten about the Easter organ music in the April magazine. To The Chalet Caterham to see the gardens for the NGS and owls and vintage cars and a helicopter! Fancy having that on your lawn plus a Rolls! Now beef and red wine for lunch when Dennis Woodhouse and co arrive. The Lenten alcoholic fast is ended (it didn't work too well on the cruise!) Slept after lunch. Missed Bruce's call. At evensong Stanford in A and Te Deum in B flat. Liz sang the solo in Blessed be the God and Father beautifully. Had wine and chocolate. Watched Generation game, Urbi et Orbi. Durrells, Sheffield cathedral,

The dementia talk underlined that the brain has two modes -so one half can forget people but the other half has a feeling of wellbeing and happiness as the result of a visit. So it is vital to keep visiting those who appear not to know you. Does the same thing apply when someone is very ill or dying? Talking to the person can break through in some way. Did this happen when Jesus said "Mary" to Mary Magdalene? Recognition came at the supper at Emmaus from an action. I have been reading "The grace of waiting" by Margaret Whipp and she has much to say about waiting with those who are ill. Palm Sunday played Bach and we sang Drop drop and To mock your reign. The way of the cross at St John Upper Norwood was beautiful. Monteverdi, Walton Litany, Monteverdi, Parry on Rockingham, Bach and Philip Moore. The Durrells and the repair shop.

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.  Despite more snow we managed to get to vespers at St John's where we sang Stainer God so loved the world and Morley Magnificat. Also We sing the praise of him who died. The Durrells are back!