The organist librarian

Liz decided to stay home. Bychkov conducted BBC SO in Thomas Larchner (outstayed his welcome) Wagner Wesendonck lieder well sung by Elisabeth Kulman I  was greatly amused by the comment at the preProm talk that Richard Strauss was so middle-class he would shop at Waitrose. Where would composers get their food? Britten Aldeburgh stores and Fortnum and Mason. Elgar Worcester and delivered. Vaughan Williams Dorking and delivered - good English beef. Wagner - no shopping for him - everything paid for by somebody else! German composers - German shops Chopin and Szymanowski - Polish delicatessan n.  Alpine symphony with a terrific storm featuring the organ! An hour to get home.  Watched Prom with Barenboim and Argerich playing a 10 minute encore! 

Thursday Prom featured a new double concerto by Thomas Larchner which proved to be quite delightful and listenable. Bruckner 5 (with score) well conducted by Ivan Volkov. Not a good audience. Another early wake up so no swim. Did some cleaning and tried to do some reading but hard to concentrate. Both of us still on edge and upset. Watched 3rd programme on Mohammed and Songs of Praise from Salisbury. Liz did some painting outside and man came about arial split. Did not leave in time for pre-Prom talk and a large queue. Chamber orchestra of Europe conducted by Haitink and Emmanuel Ax playing Brahms 1. Brahms Symphony 3. Beautiful playing. Adrian and Terence there. Stayed on for late Prom Brahms played by Angela Hewitt, Schumann and Brahms piano quartet no. 1 arranged by Schoenberg (followed with original score). Drunk woman on train wanted to know our names. Nice letter from Richard Harding and message from Steven Rose saying we will both be sorely missed.