The organist librarian

Swam, Mass I was late as dropped Liz at doctor. Car to Battersea park and on the way dropped scores at Balham and got 2 guides to USA. To St Matthew's Westminster to hear Nigel Groome. Got calendars at Church House bookshop. Lunch at uni. Fell asleep in talk on aurora Borealis! Petrenko conducted Royal Liverpool Phil Elgar In the South, Strauss songs and Iain Bell sung by soprano replacements (songs were changed and no announcement in the hall),  Bartok concerto for orchestra and a lovely encore Rachmaninov. Sir Andras Schiff playing Bach from memory. We left after fugue 12 I was tired and could not follow the score. The mental activity required is huge. What an achievement but I do think concerts should not be an endurance test! He was still playing by the time we got home on buses and car! 

Colin at Mass so had a chat. Liz could not get in to the prom. The system is unfair that online prommers get in up to 7.30. We have paid for the concerts. Annoyed by interviewer at pre Prom talk interrupting speakers on Lenin. Great playing from Oslo Philharmonic under Petrenko. But why was this a sellout! Rachmaninov, Firebird and Shostakovich 12. For the second time big black car parked by woman in our place and bollards moved. Jeanette was rude to Liz abut this.  To St Cecilia's North Cheam for funeral of Laurence Jones who was 90. Lunch at Victoria and Albert sweet potato with avocado. Sat at a table with a lady between two women who talked non stop over a cup of coffee with people looking for seats. Cannot get worked up about plywood but the Constables are great and were recently on BBC Fake or fortune.  2 splendid proms -Renee Fleming gave us two encores and was superb! Nielsen 2 a great work. Chineke! and Sheku excellent. Home at 12.30. Thursday to Mass. 

Woke late and electrician cmae and fixed perspex next to cooker - at last! To art and drew an arrangement and borrowed an excellent book on drawing hands and feet - one of my weaknesses! To interfaith lunch and Fr David brought Fr Matthias (studying in Rome) and Teresa. Emily Howard's music did not impress at the talk and Prom. What is all this stuff about maths and computing? The tuba piece should have made us laugh but we sat there po-faced while the young man near me tried not to laugh! It sounded like Mary King's puppy imitation! John East and Colin Hartley were there but spoke to neither as once again had to go back for seat reservation tickets. Petrenko conducted Rachmaninov 3 and Shostakovich cello concerto no. 1. RLPO. Alexey Stadler stood in for the concerto and played brilliantly. Home to watch Alice Coote singing Mahler at the prom.

At art drew picture and then drove to interfaith lunch where there was lively discussion about ramadan and Gaza. Home for tea. Joined Central Music library and can take out 20! Got 14 scores. Pre-prom talk on Richard Strauss and lieder with Graham Johnson. Excellent playing from RLPO under Petrenko. Strauss Festival prelude with Prof Ian Tracey at the organ, BBC singers singing Deutxhe motette, 4 last songs and Elgar 2 beautifully played.

The second Saturday on in a row of 4 was a glorious day and I enjoyed my time in the park! Said goodbye to Gillian who is going to the new Wandsworth Town library and gave her gladioli, chocolates and card - we will miss her. She has been with us nearly a year and is excellent - no need to ask her to do a display, she just does one! The free slk painting course is going well and Pat, Ann and Jean from tai chi asked for copies of the photo. We need a couple more to make up the numbers. Lorinda came in and was pleased to see the display of recipes for Jamie Oliver's competition "My Nan's recipes". She is doing a Battersea heritage trail and I gave her some ideas. To vespers (only 3 clergy there) and Mass with 3 visiting concelebrants. On way home heard the National Youth orchestra prom Tchaikovsky first piano concerto with Stephen Hough on blistering form, Lutoslawski concerto for orchestra and Respighi Roman Festivals on BBC2. The conductor Vasily Petrenko is not much ...