February 2nd - Day 290

Another lunchtime recital, but at least somewhere I hadn't been before - St Giles-in-the-Fields. And another first; there was a dog wandering around the pews. An Omen-esque beast, but greyer and scruffier. I don't know what it was doing there. The organist and soprano (John Alexander Ward and Emily Atkinson respectively) performed above and behind the audience, most of whom chose to stay facing front, close their eyes and contemplate...or maybe reflect. Emily sang on three of the nine pieces. Her imminent presence for each song was signalled by the sound of footsteps on wooden boards, before her rather sudden and phantasmagorical apprearance next to the organ. The programme followed a carefully planned sequence of keys...CGdADgGFC..."the piquancy of the excursion is underlined by the mean-tone temperament of the organ", said the notes, and continued, "Much of the music in the concert is closely related to today's Feast of the Presentation". It still surprises me how much excellent music there is to be enjoyed for free in this city.

(at the concert's end...dog out of shot three pews back)