The organist librarian

Two nights where I have slept for 6 hours which is great! I returned from Chorus rehearsals and went straight to bed as I was knackered! Wednesday we did Verdi Te Deum and Carmina Burana (fun but rubbish music!) with Stefan Bevier from Berlin. Thursday Robert Dean worked on Dream of Gerontius. Interesting idea to get us to bow forward on high notes and loosen the body instead of tightening the diaphragm. Last night to choir practice and Vicky poppped in to say no evensong in May. There was a discussion again about the Sanctus and its length in relation to the Eucharistic prayer. The BCP settings must have Amen changed to "most high". There seems to be little liturgical understanding. The Amen should only come at the end of the prayer. Am enjoying Natasha Cooper's "A greater evil" - she is a friend (Daphne Wright) and her novels are excellent.Graeme has interesting blog on thin spaces. I know so many! Padrerob comments kindly about my blog. Yesterday was Graeme a...

Short swim, then left car for Liz to have when she returned from Ireland and got train to London Bridge and down to Sidcup for the funeral of Freddie Baldwin. Over 200 packed the lovely church. The music was provided by a competent pianist/organist. A great gathering of Catenians! Splendid eulogies and a fine family. Freddie and Milly were married for 63 years. He had 2 strokes and fought back from near death to regain speech and singing! He represented among others Christine Keeler. Such a happy friendly man! The priest remarked how he would say "Bonjour" at the kiss of peace to get you to smile! God bless him and his family. I returned to work and decided not to go to Provincial Council meeting in Sittingbourne as I would have been late for the installation! Liz returned home safely and there were yellow tulips to greet her. She brought me a lovely red tie and whiskey truffles!

After work drove to Holy Trinity Clapham which is a church I have often wanted to enter as it is connected with Wilberforce and the Clapham sect who we remember this year particularly. Dr Harry Bramma spoke and demonstrated on the splendid organ the art of registration by hand as opposed to piston. I do do this quite a bit and of course it is more authentic as Anthony le Fleming who plays at this splendid church commented. 34 lengths this morning and for once drove to work and no holdups at all!

The day began with a St George's Day broadcast from Windsor with lots of fine music by Sir William Harris. At Coulsdon we sang Darke in E and Ley's "Lo round the throne" which is an excellent anthem very well-crafted. Janice Cockcroft suggested going to Oaks Park on the way to Banstead for my picnic and I sat in the sun enjoying the blossom and flowers. Lovely wisteria and jasmine! The St George's Day parade went well and I played Jerusalem, land of hope and glory and Donald Cashmore's Processional march. On return home Martin from Woodside bereavement service came and we had a good chat about how busy I am and how I need to find a balance and enough rest and quality time with Liz! I spoke to Liz and Dennis on Skype and watched Diane Abbott learning to play the piano on TV. Also highlights of the London Marathon but could not spot Richard Nesbitt! He will be tired tonight - I have sponsored him!

At lunch time today went as I often do to enjoy Battersea Park. Today the RSPB were again mounting a chance to observe herons through powerful binoculars and telesopes. Also saw great crested grebe on their nest - never knew they were in the park! I asked about the family of cygnets from last year and it is likely they flew away. Swans mate for life and I am reminded all the time that Liz is in Ireland with Dennis. How I miss her! St Peter's choir made a welcome return at Mass and sang Byrd 5 part setting and anthems by Wood and Durufle. They have a very large choir including boys and girls and Fr Tim made them very welcome. Philip and I served so we did not have incense. Listened to Giulio Cesare from the Met on Radio 3.

On Wednesday back to Philharmonia Chorus after a gap since the Verdi Requiem to rehearse Beethoven's "Fidelio" at Hinde St Methodist church with Martin Merry of ENO. I was unable to sing at King's Cambridge as the concert fell on Easter Vigil but heard the excellent broadcast on Easter Monday (Light of Life and Sursum Corda by Elgar, Vaughan Williams 5 mystical songs). It is 28 years since the chorus first sang on stage in Fidelio in Orange. It was an amazing experience. Zubin Mehta conducted the Israel Philharmonic with Gundula Jamowitz and Jon Vickers. I have a video of the rehearsals with the chorus trying to march! The feeling of liberation was fantastic after being cooped under the stage in the heat. At one rehearsal we sang every verse of Ilkley Moor ba tat as we waited. Professionals would never have stood for it! At another both cameras ran out of film. Seeing the film of the performance 10 years later was sad as several friends had passed on. The coach had a ...

To my fourth tai chi class with Jeff or more correctly tai ji. He is an excellent instructor. Without him I don't think I would do the exercises. I am the only man in the class of elderly ladies and it is held in the heated lounge at the local old age home. It is a warm day so we do not overdo it! The park as lovely as ever and the wisteria is now in bloom. Home to find Liz at class for catechists. She goes away to Ireland for a week tomorrow and I know I will miss her! I read some of Alan Bennett's masterly "Untold stories" and wish I could write like he does. Dr Chris Hewer is offering a free course on "Understanding Islam" next January to March in the Hinsley Room so the interfaith networking group (once it gets off the g round)at the cathedral will enjoy that. He is based at St Ethelburga's centre in the City which I must visit.Padrerob has an excellent item about doubting Thomas on his blog. Find it here