The organist librarian

On underground yesterday young man wearing shorts and tank top which revealed most of his chest. He was with young woman obviously been doing something sporty. But I rather think he should have put a T shirt on. So many people are wearing flipflops and scant clothing these days!  Swam 20 and wrote my Catenian Provincial president's blog. Painted a picture of flowers at art and started an angel picture. To see the doctor and mole must come off and knee to be Xrayed - it is much better thanks to icepacks and rest! Watched Proms Extra and a bit of Bake off. Took car to Battersea Park for parking. Enjoyed the Proms poetry entries very much although one fo them bore no relation to Dukas that I could hear!  2 Proms. Beethoven violin concerto seemed rather too confidential in places. Reger and Strauss and Wagner encore from Dresden Stattskapelle all enjoyable. Why no big Reger organ work this season? The late night prom featured Handel coronation anthems. The altos trills made me la...

Most interesting talk with Adrian Tinniswood on the Great Fire of London.  Barenboim did it again playing Mozart concerto and conducting Bruckner 6 superbly. Placing the double basses high at the back of the stage really worked. Prospectus said concerto 21 so brought that score but the little brochure had it changed to 27 - missed that! To Acton.  Liz went into St Vincent's school. I went to get petrol in the old car and set off for Kew but Sean was sick so we came home and he played track. He was very good and fine and I put the ice pack on my knee and rested! To cathedral Hinsley Room for the afternoon session with Fr Robin on Happy are the peacemakers. Excellent talk on the history of the Dresden Staatskapelle and Trifonov played Mozart 22 and Bruckner 3 with Thieleman. Saw Muriel. Watched a bit of opening of paralympics from Rio.

2 superb Proms. Carolyn Sampson and Iestyn Davies with Joseph Middlelton at the Cadogan hall singing Purcell arranged Britten, Mendelssohn and Quilter. Met the Rowntrees and Liz spoke to Petroc. Monday mornings have been expensive with fruit tart and cappuccino at Peter Jones. We celebrated with a delicious lunch at Cóte. Dresden staatskapelle with Barenboim playing Mozart 24 and Bruckner 3 - stunning. Fascinating talk on Capability Brown with Anna Pavord and the irrespressible Ian.  Very sad to hear of the passing of Heather Brokenshire. She had dementia and had to go in a home as Fred could not cope. 

A long day! Train from Selhurst cancelled so drove to Norwod Junction and got train there. Liz later moved the car back to Selhurst. I played Thiman on Slane and Karg-Elert Nun danket. No time to play Pilgrims chorus from Tannhauser. Fr Tim Goode is a musician and enjoyed the music! To Mary King's workshop on Semiramide choruses which was enjoyable. Dudamel conducted the first prom with great panache - Villa Lobos and Ravel and one encore. Mark Elder conducted the Rossini which had some fine singing and choruses but it does go on a bit. Finished at 11 and home after midnight! Liz stayed for an hour then went to visit Dennis and AnnMarie - they came down last night and Dennis did the Catenian form.

Canon Christopher conducted a moving Requiem mass for Abi's father who died aged only 54 - lots of school friends memories. We went to the party in the Gallery Prommers queue and Liz stayed for the Berlin Phil prom. I went to Serpentine Sackler gallery and served at Mass with Fr Brian and the 3 boys are back, Nice to see Fr  Andrew Gallagher  back with us and Fr Chris says he will be back at Christmas.

Back to swmming. Returned scores to CML and did some welcoming at the cathedral but I had to give in as my right knee was playing up. Early at the hall and it was cold and damp. No talk to go to - ticket only quiz. Berln Philharmonic with Rattle Mahler 7 amazing, Boulez Eclat autograph score which I managed to follow most of the time! Home to listen to late prom. Elliot Carter and Boulez with scores but neither appealed! 

To art and I took some flowers and small statues for all to draw. I spent time drawing hands, feet and faces. A lovely film of Tortelier taking a masterclass on Bach cello suites. The B minor Mass conducted by George Christie did not please me. Gaps between movements, no understanding of the text, oboes far too loud, little joy - this is sublime music -why so uninvolved and poorly balanced? I went to the EE shop but the problem is my old Blackberry so a new Doro has been ordered. Found my SA passport for US visa but did not find Bruce's carpentry book. Saw the Sopers, Rossas and Eleanor at the concert. Drunk next to Liz drinking wine.