The organist librarian

Finally got out of the house after being indoors since Tuesday! Made some videos of our cruise on Liz's computer - she has Windows 10 I have 8. To vespers and Mass First Scrutiny with Fr Andrew Bowden - he was excellent not heard him at Mass before. Cardinal Vaughan schola sang Byrd well. Watched A little chaos. I cleared downstairs loo. 

Swam, got scores from Central music library, brilliant Prom at Cadogan hall by Stile Antico and Fretwork - beautiful singing and playing. To V and A to see Ove Arup which is well worth seeing especially Sydney Opera House, Crossrail and soundlab. Early at the hall and delightful discussion of Beethoven 8 and Prokofiev 1 which for some reason were reversed in order in the prom and no announcement made (we do not buy programmes at £4 a go!) The new pieces by Ades and Coll were interesting. A day for meeting people -  Elizabeth Butler , Bob Reiss, Graham and Mary Smith, Barry, Warren!

Baptism of the Lord so played Bach Christ the Lord to Jordan came and Von himmel hoch Walther and Pachelbel. Sang at the Ascension Battersea Epiphany carols. It was far too long and rehearsed from 1.30 for a 6 p.m. service. The two Byrd motets were tricky. Going through all the hymns was ridiculous plus processions. Small congregation. The organ is electronic - I played there when I was freelance. 

played Prelude and Fughetta by Franck, Brahms Herzliebster Jesu and Bach Fantasia in C minor. Liz was smoke! Practised psalms after servuce, Did some reading and listened to choral evensongs from Windsor and King's college London. To Lent group - Tutu on a biased God. Asked Fr John how he responds to callers wanting money - he offers to do their shopping. At evensong we sang Byrd second service and Behold the Lamb of God, Dennis came for supper - he was on call today. Watched the last Call the midwife and Indian summers - excellent. 

Swam 20. Fr Paul has sent a clear reply about the situation which is outrageous! No wonder priests leave the C of E! To the cathedral for 11 a.m. Mass for the religious with the Cardinal. I was mitre/crozier and Liz was acolyte. She was cross that Jess was thurifer and assistant MC. Nice lunch and spoke to several nuns I know and some new ones incl Marie Therese a Servite who was in Rome for the ecumenical gathering. Liz went to UCL. I went to the Rubens and his legacy at the Royal Academy - some fine paintings but also gaps where pirctures which were imitated were not shown. 14 bus to Victoria and Albert and sketched 2 lions of Pisano in the cast courts. Tea at M & S and served acolyte at 5.30 mass - loads of servers but only 2 torches! Fr Alexander and the choir sang Byrd superbly. Dashed to station and just missed train so home and quick change and got to Catenians at 8. A good meeting - 20 there. William spoke about Gandhi foundation afterwards. Juan will come on council. Sad ...

A fun day with the boys - track and games. Lou and Tom stayed later so that they slept on the way home. I went to Vespers and Mass. Liz would not go as we thought it was to be the start of the confirmation programme but no sign or mention of them. Fr Andrew had to get me to get his homily from his chair! Appeal for the Passage and Trinity Oxford sang Hassler, Durufle and Byrd a little hesitantly but it was good. Reception so met Ben Morrell and chatted to Ben Bloor about the Whitlock Paean. Canon Christopher let me out! On the way to the car at Selhurst I remembered I was supposed to have gone to the Sunni event at Tooting leisure centre - I was far too tired! Saw the end of the Winter's Tale.

To Carmelites Kensington for 11 a.m. Mass to celebrate Heythrop's 400th. Cardinal Vincent and Cardinal Cormac and Archbishop Kevin and Bishop John Sherington plus loads of priests. Michael Barnes had taken the weekend off! Simon Lloyd played and we had Byrd 4 part Mass sung by the pros which was not much to my taste. However we had 4 hymns and Karg-Elert Nun danket. It did seem really wrong to sing The king of love and This is my body and then receive under only one kind. The sanctuary is far too small for so many priests and the servers were chaotic. Alex and Larry and 5 Jesuits. They seemed to have to walk behind the altar from the sacristy every time - there was no room for them on the sanctuary! Saw Alfred Agius and Ann Moynihan. The deacon carried the book to the ambo then put it down and read from something else! The lunch in the garden at Heythrop was lovely and a beautiful day for it. Sat with Paul Clubb and Bethany. I went to Battersea Park for part of the 29th anniversa...

Saw a mouse in the lounge last night - very small but still yuk! 3 traps set. Watched Come dine with me and did some work for next Wednesday's spirituality day. The hymns at the family Eucharist were a bit naff including Colours of day. I played Handel, Guest and Ridout on Vreuchten and Willan on Vulpius. Only 16 there and the 3 kids all very young. Straight to Tulse Hill and to Blackfriars for Andrew Carwood at St Paul's cathedral on Easter music. He played Lotti, Byrd, Bach, Mahler and Elgar - interesting comments on the music. I was particularly taken by the alto aria with oboe d'amore form the Easter oratorio of Bach. Energy, rising intervals, quicker music. To St John's for 3 p.m. and Julie and David took Mary and I to Botley via the A3 and some lovely wooded countryside roads for choral evensong with their choir in memory of Trevor's parents Eric and Bronwen Wheble. A very pleasant occasion in "the most charming village in England" according to Cobb...

Woke early and then late so no swim again. It is hot! Worked on dissertation and reached 8200 words. Stephen rang (ex-Ajahn Santacitto) and we will meet on the 23rd. Michael asked to change the tutorial date from Friday. Invited for interview for Spidir course next Friday which doesn't really suit as Ann will be here. Cleaned bathroom and toilet. Took bike back to garage as buyer never came and got keyboard for Saturday. To St Patrick Soho for the last of 4 excellent recitals by Patrick Russill. Sat behind William Whitehead who was chatty. Good programme including Stanley and William Russell. Home to watch 3 leave the Apprentice. 

Swam 20. Saw Dr Attard about bruise on upper leg - cortisone cream - he asked if I had had shorts on - fat chance the weather we have been having!  To Acton for when Ciarán came out of nursery - met the nanny for the autumn - very nice. To Carluccios for a lovely lunch - had asparagus risotto and lemon sorbet and white wine - starter with gorgonzola. Ciaran had made a card for me and presented with a lovely hat - very smart. To Interfaith group after tea at M & S. Got ticket for Venice concert. Only 3 there to hear an excellent Power Point by Morten Thuysen from the World Development movement. Shocking to hear how government are linked to finance and fossil fuel companies even Vince Cable! Their campaign is Carbon Capital. To Foyles bookshop and impressed by their religion section - in fact found some Eckhart references! To Soho Square but by then the sun had gone. Earlier had met Fr John O'Leary and Fr Michael Archer and commented that I wished I had my shorts on. To St Patri...

Watched Come dine with me and that nice Frenchman won in Birmingham! To the cathedral for combined vespers between the Abbey and the Cathedral - Beaven and Byrd and Martin Ford played Couperin. Nice reception afterwards - good chat to Ian. TV programme on Wagner's Ring by Pappano.

Day started badly - left scarf behind, phone had no power. Parked at Kent House and arrived in good time at St Margaret's Westminster - I had left my cushion behind and the pews are hard. Liz had retreat day for the course. Bishop Christopher Herbert is retired Bishop of St Albans and he spoke so well on "Painting, poetry and prayer". Elizabeth Jennings' poetry on the paintings of Mantegna, Van Gogh, Palmer, Chagall and most movingly of all Rembrandt. It was brilliant! The logistics are not good getting through the crowds to get to the loos and queuing for coffee - why can't they set up an urn in the church? Had my lunch and read Tablet - I have 3 to catch up on. Interesting review of "Mary and Martha" which we watched last night. To evensong and for some reason we were all put in the transepts rather than the choir - it was cold! Walton Chichester service not to my taste but the Wesley anthem was nice, Saw Canon Tremlett and the Dean as I left to the s...

Swam 23 and Liz came too. To Christ Church Methodist for Rosalie Hughes's funeral - packed church and lots of Our Lady's parishioners. Saw Fr Denis and warm greetings from many people. Alan Hickox played really well and excellent choices including Ave verum and How beautiful are the feet. Peter Clarke preached on communion. Nick sang well from Elijah, Arthur and Cath read inspiring readings very well. Fr Joe led prayers and gave the blessing. It was truly ecumenical. Great hymns sung with gusto Dear Lord and Father, Lord for the years, Love divine, How great thou art. Had time for tea and some chat and then to St John's to sing at Judith Wallace's funeral. The church was very cold. We managed Ave verum by Byrd - at least Frank kept in time in the end! Dear Lord and Father and Love divine (why can't we have the Stainer tune?) The King of love and The day tho gavest. Bridget played and conducted - Adrian and Terence in Laos. Nice eats and people had travelled a long ...

Woke at 4 and 6 and 7. Liz off to the cathedral. I did some hoovering and reading and then to St Paul's cathedral for Sung Eucharist. I was early so did some more reading despite the Germans next to me. Lovely Bach Nun komm der heiden heiland prelude. Men sing plainchant very heavily. Byrd 4 part Mass always a treat. An exc sermon from the Treasurer. Dean presided - he appears to tbe High Church. I hated the vestments and altar frontal - purple with check pattern and blue! Nobody seems to bow to the altar apart from the 3 main clergy! Byrd Vigilate motet at communion. 3 rather odd hymns to well known tunes - why? Lift up your heads to Wareham, O child of promise come by James Quinn to Carlisle and Ye servants of God. Lovely Rachmaninov Alleluias and the responsorial acclamations worked quite well. Mendelssohn Prelude and fugue in E minor at the end but the lady from Stuttgart next to me wanted to chat - she said I had a good voice, they had been to Opera House for the Donizetti and...

Woke at 4, 6, 7 and finally 8. With Liz to Heythrop and worked in library. Gemma Simmonds gave a good session on writing a dissertation. Went for tea at Kensington M & S and then to Vespers and Mass with Fr Archer. Advent is here! Cardinal Vaughan memorial school schola sang Byrd, Palestrina and Tallis and Peter played Bach Fantasia in C minor at the end. Home for dinner and Ocado delivery. Eggs and stuff covered in buttermilk so got a refund.  Dennis drove to North Otterington and got back to 1786 on the family tree!

After a late night an early start to get bus to Brixton and tube to arrive in good time for 9.30 mass. I was crozier for Bp John Sheringham - he can't sing and his voice is unimpressive. Paul M said nothing as usual. The choir sang Byrd Mass and Mozart Ave verum. Judges looking impressive in their full rigout and wigs. To Post Office and they had my diary - I said it was red/brown (The clou ro my new one for next year) and it is green. Great to have it back.  Met the nice bass from the cathedral choir on the train. To mosaic and more painting for half an hour. Linda away next week. Ta'i chi - no session next week. Bus to St Paul's Clapham and met secretary and Deborah Matthews the vicar who is very nice. Had a good chat and liked the organ - a Forster and Andrews. Quite a few have applied! Did my practising and returned home. Liz had taken AnnMarie to dentist after attending the requiem at St Helen's. After dinner Colin picked me up for Catenian meeting - official Provi...

To Heythrop and had coffee and then worked in the library on essay 2. Served at 12 noon mass with Archbishop Vincent. I was crosier. Horrid white alb things with cinctures to hold them up as too long. All went well and an excellent homily. Nice buffet lunch and enjoyed chatting. John Ainslie and Jon Dal Din were there. Had tea at Marks. Ascension not smoke at vespers and gave Fr Michael my arm up and down stairs at Mass. Excelsis sang beautifully - Byrd 4 part mass, Durufle Ubi caritas, Mawby Ave verum. Lord enthroned and Hail the day were hymns. Louise came to stay. Watched programme on Cutty Sark and learning Shakespeare by heart.

To Grosvenor chapel which has been redecorated for the recital by Margaret Phillips. I spoke to her about her visit to Tasmania in 1983. Bach, Bull, Byrd and Mendelssohn on the 1991 Drake organ. Spoke to Richard Hobson about Oxford day - he said in his day Harris Manchester organ and Wadham where was organ scholar were both looked down upon! How fashions change!

Thursday took Ciarán and Bruce to Gambados Beckenham and read the Tablet while they enjoyed the slides and cars. To Voces 8 concert at St Peter Eaton Square - lovely church with a big organ. A lovely concert - really enjoyed it. John Wardle and Tommy Hewitt-Jones were there. Nice that we got to the group as we left so saw Chris Wardle. Louise picked us up at East Croydon as she had been out to dinner while Bruce babysat.

Very nice lunch with cream and apple. At St John's we sang Byrd second service and Bob Chilcott's charming "God so loved the world". We sang Vexilla regis and Morning glory to a tune by Michael Fleming Bowen Woods in tribute to David Evans and like his tune for "For the beauty of the earth". Terence and Bob are coming on Friday whcih is great. Watching Paxman on Empire and Antiques roadshow.