I envy your talent on the organ and the compilation of the village and church history making a complete story. I really believe your posts are worthy of transmission by a national television company.
Ben, as a resident of Southern California, you have given me an amazing gift of escaping the overwhelming fire difficulty! Seeing the green fields, the trees and lovely river is so refreshing!! Thank you for taking us along. All of this along with the great music is such a blessing!!!
I, too, live in Los Angeles, home to some decent organs (First Congregational, Disney). But these weekly concerts usher me into the realm of the sublime. Many thanks.
I am very familiar with both Dorset and Wiltshire ( oh and Dartmoor), so love your channel, with the history of village churches, the walk to them and of course..............the enthralling music. I now live in W Australia, so you are bringing me a little bit of home.
I really wish Ben's videos had been available back in 1990 when I foolishly offered to accompany the hymns when our church lost their organist 'just until you can find a real organist'. I was still playing nearly 30 years later, when I finally moved from the village. Village organists are hard to come by and my village had to put up with someone hovering between grade 2 and 3 piano. Once every couple of years they were treated to a 'real organist' when my brother visited from Australia as I refused to play in front of him. I had been under the illusion that organists were two a penny having been brought up in a family with two good organists (my father and brother), but sadly for Cholderton they were lumbered with the non-musical member of the family. And when Ben asked how do you choose what to play at the start of the service I thought 'dig out that grade 2 Purcell' I could just manage to get through and then there was my brother's book of simplified Bach pieces he was learning when he was six! It was fortunate that I found Ben's videos a month or so before Christmas, as I returned to Cholderton so their Christmas day service wasn't without music. This time round I had a much better idea of what I should be trying to do. And though I hadn't practised since lockdown, I had a week to get in some practice (in a very cold church - so I sympathise when Ben has fingers too cold to play) and actually experimented with the stops this time (rather than all in or all out!). So thank you Ben, I've learnt something about playing the organ, as well as enjoying these videos very much. And thankyou for playing one of my favourite pieces - Farewell to Stromness, which I had been teaching myself but never attempted to play on the organ.
I think you are being far to harsh about your abilities. If you played regularly for 30 years, you must have been producing music that people appreciated. So well done. There's nothing wrong with a bit of grade 2 Purcell or simple Bach, it's all about the tune 'innit'. I went to a performance of "Oliver Messiaen - La Nativité du Seigneur" in Bath Cathedral last Christmas. Though very grand and impressive, you can't exactly hum along to that. I'd likely enjoy your Purcell more.
Ben, your musical talents are undeniable. Love all you play. Still…must give a shout out to your camera and editing skills! The time and care is very much appreciated. The end result is an experience for the viewer where we feel that we are having a one-on-one walk with you, chatting about the area, dodging puddles, avoiding cows. And then we explore the church together, soak in the atmosphere, peek over your shoulder as you play, and let the music wash over us. Thank you for all you share.
You took me back to the early 1980’s when I was a tour guide taking visitors to see the Piddles and Puddles of Dorset. They loved it and I loved it too.
As someone who has spent more Sundays than I can count in small, English village churches, I think you unequivocally proved the point that a good organist can make a great sound from even the most humble instrument. That prelude to close the service, played at Piddlehinton, would have most village congreations aghast. Bravo.
So early for snowdrops. But then again I am colored by living in NE VT where it is currently well below zero, snow on the way again tonight, and Spring is about 3 weeks long in May. Then Summer until mid-September.
Heavens! How old do you think Ben is? He said that he finished at Oxford in 2018. I'm guessing that he's barely 30, if that. But, so glad that he found this organ and showcased it.
How amazingly beautiful was the last hymn. And all you did on the single manual organ was great and very tastefully done. You know, the great thing about pipe organs in churches is the fact that people WILL sing with it! And the more boisterous the playing, the louder they sing. This does not work with piano or keyboards playing, say a flute. People singing their hearts out to God with such a beautiful instrument is amazing. I thank God for talented organists like yourself. And I thank you for these wonderful treks to these quaint village churches. The history and beauty just astound me. Thank you, Ben!
Ben. Your videos have inspired me to have another go at playing a church organ. I regret to say I am a very amateur electronic keyboard player who never learnt to play left hand properly. Our local anglican church, St Michaels and all Angels here in Highworth NE Wiltshire near Swindon, has a very impressive 3 manual electronic organ with some "hybrid" wind blown.pipes. I played my Eb tuba in our local brass band for a civic service today. My seat was next to the organ console, unused for this service, and I could almost feel the instrument calling to me to have another go at getting to a basic hymn playing standard. I approached the vicar after the service and he gave me his permision to arrange a time I could start getting to grips with it. If I could even play say "Abide with me" to a basic standard that wouldn't offend, I would be happy. Thank you for inspiring me to, at least, try.
What a lovely, lovely, soft timbre this organ projects. I am glad it's not a large instrument. Ben, you have such empathy for these creatures and their environs - truly a gift beyond all measure! Feeling grateful for knowing you.
I LOVED your discourse on preludes and postludes, and the Tunder piece on both organs. I’d love to walk into church hearing Farewell to Stromness-beautiful.
I look forward to your videos each Sunday! In case you hadn't heard, things are absolutely out-of-control in the U.S. right now and your videos provide some much needed respite. Thank you!
Hello from Australia... Here, we have nothing over 250 yrs old... Treasure your beautiful inheritance... Nothing like music to heal to soul..? Blessings... ❤
I’m loving your channel because of your music. My church has a beautiful organ but nobody to play it. I’m Lutheran in Ohio, and the tunes you play are so like ours. I was married in that church and our organist played for my wedding with gusto and really made it sing! Sadly nobody plays nowadays. And Ben, I love the visual tours of the English countryside and historical context of the beautiful churches you provide with your videos. My hope is someday I’ll get to see it for myself! I’ve been to Germany and see the big cathedrals but I prefer the smaller country village churches. Thanks for your work in promoting this!
I’m so thankful that I found your TH-cam channel… your music helps me make it through the day and to deal with my horrible pain from my having a bad genetic disorder Ehlers Danlos that is crippling me …. Sometimes my pain is so intense that I’m crying… but your music makes me feel like I’m going to be better. Distraction is a great medicine for those who have chronic pain. Thank you dear Jesus for the beautiful blessings you have given him to share with the world!
Kevin muldowney physio wrote living life to the fullest with ehlers danlos about reducing pain by strengthening? It might be worth a look, although I know it's a tricky condition! Good luck and sending prayers!
So sorry that you have been given that cross to bear. Music is not only God's language, it is also balm for our souls. Thank you. Ben, for applying that balm for us!
The Salisbury Organist at his very best: great hymns played on a beautifully-made organ in a rubbish-free church transposed to a lower key to help singers like me. And what a glorious way to celebrate Candlemas by playing Franz Tunder’s Praeludium and Athelstan Riley’s Ye watchers and ye holy ones at St Martins.
I think what I enjoy most about your presentations is the unhurried pace that you establish right from the start. It carries on throughout each video through the perfectly paced organ, harmonium, or guitar (thank you BILLY). I detest organists who play every piece as if it was either a call to arms or marathon race. Your beautiful village churches encourage this as the sounds move throughout the stone and plaster arches. Thank you yet again Ben!
I'll second that thought. Too many hymns and carols are ruined by organists who play too fast for singers to keep up; especially us Men-folk, who need time to sing the notes in key, without straining our voices.
It's been one of my favourite hymns for decades, and hearing Ben play it on a village church organ moved me to tears I have to admit. Sometimes simplicity works best.
Thanks Ben for another Sunday musical journey, glad you remind us all the time and energy that goes into making these videos. Really enjoyed you playing at your favourite organ.
Never apologize for what you do! The “accidents” and surprises are a big part of your charm. I watch largely to visit the obscure English countryside which I find hold dear and to vicariously enjoy your adventures. The postlude you played was most appropriate. Thanks 🙏
The vast amount of time the editing of each of your lovely and passionate videos, we can only guess at! Thank you so much! How fun it be to accompany you on these quests.
Thank you h. From you I learn so much about organ music and the organ, after years of being in churches. Also LOVE your walks and drives that you share with us. You are giving us an in-depth history of life in rural England. Wonderful to hear familiar hymns. Olive J.😊
Lovely music on a small village church organ. A typical English village church with a typical churchyard and beautiful snowdrops. Your choice of music for that church was brilliant. 'Fairwell to Stromness' was a good choice for a voluntary before the service and the German piece worked so well as an 'end piece' but I don't think it would have been been right as a pre-service voluntary. Your hard work with the camera and in particular with the editing really are much appreciated! A big thank-you Ben!
Anyone who said you didn't play an organ didn't stay til' the end of your video. Plus--- we had all week to anticipate your playing this organ at St. Mary's Church.
For organ with all these shortcomings, you sure played it beautifully. I appreciate your explanations regarding the rationale of different pieces. Thank you.
Hello Ben! Long time listener / viewer. First time commenting. Felt first that I had to have some skin in the game so I sent $100 via PayPal. I enjoy your work and hope you can continue for as long as you wish. Here in the United States, we have a similar problem where great organs are in disrepair or failing. Some, like the Wanamaker Organ at Macy's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have an uncertain future as Macy's is closing next month. I will get there this month via Amtrak from Harrisburg; the State Capitol, to Philly, 104 miles to the East. Only time will tell what future this grand instrument has. Keep the faith my friend. Richard Peiffer
Another excellent video at a much preferred time for me 5pm rather than later timed uploads last year, this is perfect Sunday late afternoon viewing for me😊
Another fantastic episode, a wet walk through the puddles culminating in the discovery a beautiful little church.!! As you said.....no clutter, just a pristine and very, very beautiful church. Can't wait for next week's episode Ben.
Hello, Ben. I understand and totally agree with what you are doing for the village organ, and yes, they are built for playing hymns, but I also love to listen and watch you let loose on a monster piece on a great organ like the William Hill in St. Martin's (my favourite) or the biggie at Wells😁. Your comments during Immortal, Invisible, etc. show that you are deeply humanitarian and instead of just showing off your talents at the keyboard of an organ, you look for ways to help a congregation enjoy singing hymns. In spite of your shyness, you love people. I know God works through you. The Tunder piece sounded great and that sturdy little organ didn't brreak!😊 Now for the coda. You can't spoil the magic of your travels through south-west England. That's impossible. But let me say your talents are manifold even though they aren't readily visible to all. If anybody doubts, all they have to do is 'spot-watch' your videos from their genesis (if I may) up to the present to see the evolution of your story-telling and video-making skills. What you have to do to make them is the magician's secret and you are the magician. Thank you, Ben, and I'm already waiting impatiently for next week's video.
I liked both versions of the Praeludium and Farewell to Stromness. These visits to churches I could never have seen are a wonderful voyage back through time. The approaches from the footpaths and fields can feel like a time warp. I am so thankful to have joined this journey. Thank you for the thought and care involved. It is very much appreciated.
Hello! Coming in from West Virginia, USA and I have to say that you are a gentleman, a scholar and an extremely skilled organist. Those overtones from the pipe organ at Saint Martins are resounding.
Ben, I enjoy your kind advice on selections. I generally play hymns, introits and simple preludes and postludes for the three services I play with three different churches each weekend. Your tours are always such a treat! Bravo, Sir! 👏🏻👏🏻🎹
Hi Ben, yet another fantastic video, thank you. Coming home each Lords Day evening, I look forward to watching your videos. They are indeed a benediction to each Sunday. Thank you so much for your time and talent. May God richly bless you. The LORD bless thee and keep thee. Numbers 6:24
Thank you Ben for taking us to St. Mary's Church to see and listen to the Organ that was saved and transported there instead of being destroyed. I loved seeing the very neat village Church. I especially appreciated showing us the editing of your videos. I am looking forward to listen to Organ music for Postludes. Thank you again for sharing with us your musical talent.
I lived at the top of Piddle Valley for a while. Glorious countryside. PiddleTrenthide had an excellent pub. As did Piddle Hinton. There are so many beautiful country lanes to explore around there.
Ben, you are such a talented young man. An accomplished organist, talented videographer topped off by your love of history and literature. Thank you for all you share with us.
I have never seen a pipe organ with one manual and no peddleboard. I am impressed by how you deal with that. You may or may not be aware that in some churches no Postlude is played because the congregation insists on having this time for conversation and socializing!!! I look forward to your next presentation.
Beautiful ❤ and also enjoy the blooming snowdrops. They’re beginning to bloom in my garden here in Oregon. Your music brought tears, so lovely. Thank you
Than you for a another amazing video Ben it was a lovely church sorry you had so many puddles to walk this wk I enjoyed your hymns that you played this week you make my Sunday bright day I do look so forward to to next week it was lovely to hear the woodpecker till next week I do love that organ you play in Salisbury take care ❤️👌
Great video Ben as always. Seeing the hand pump reminded me of a story my dad told me when he was an altar boy in the 60s. My dad was asthmatic, and it was his turn to hand pump the organ one day . He was knackered, and the last hymn was Jerusalem, and my dad was losing steam and from the console the organist was laughing his head off at my dad panting and wheezing especially as Jerusalem uses most of the organ stops. My dad, once he finished politely, told him to bugger off while the organist was wetting himself with laughter. 😂
Brings back memories of my mother who played harmonium for 16 years and wasn't religious in the least! She used my grade 4 pieces book for extra music. Lots of 17th century stuff mostly. And you're right...organists in small country areas are thin on the ground in New Zealand as well. I had the odd go on that machine but I was always a singer really.
Another week of sore cheeks from smiling through a video! Thanks again, Ben, for such delightful and informative contributions to our days. Your videos are truly a blessing.
Hi Ben, I really enjoyed the explanatory texts that you inserted into your video footage. It made the video more interesting without interrupting the continuity. Thanks !
Thank you for the abundance of good music this week. I did not complain, because I knew that you were telling a story, which well you did. I was thinking in the middle of the Prelude in G Minor that you should do a comparison with how it sounds on a large organ. And then to my great pleasure, you did just that. The contrast also alerted me to another feature of the larger organ, the acoustic space in which it resides. I heard it particularly early in the piece. The same organ would not do in the smaller church. It is where it should be, and the sound is grand. I like the variety of music you play, but please continue to include a hymn each time. I miss the old hymns and long to hear and sing along with a variety of old hymns. Excellent video, excellent story.
Wow nice effort producing such good music on a village organ. And thank you for capturing church history. Wondering how the landscape of England looked and sounded when all these churches were busy with worship services.
Ben, great tips about being flexible with the key in which one plays hymns. I remember back in my musician days having to be able to transpose on the fly. I also appreciated your comments about appropriate preludes for a village church organ. I daresay they ought to apply to big organs as well.
I like your selections today. One resource for pieces that would be playable on a one-manual organ is the Oxford University Press series “Old English Organ Music for Manuals.” (Wesley, Stanley, Greene, etc.) They also used to publish a series: “Organ Music for Manuals,” with various composers represented. Concordia used to publish a series: “Baroque Organ Music for Manuals:” I don’t know if they are still in print. Also Franck: L’Organiste. Cheers!
I always enjoy watching your videos and listening to you play some especially challenging organs. I am also an organist in the US. I have played some challenging organs too. You made the village organ sing!
Thank you Ben another wonderful video. We love seeing the village churches the different organs and the Beautiful music you play on them, it doesn’t matter if you play every week you make every video so interesting thank you again ❤
We enjoy every episode Ben. It gives a window into some seldom seen buildings, and beautiful landscapes, complete with music that is worth preservation.
Simply a lovely presentation which I truly appreciate & enjoy. I learn so much from your musical tutorials. Sincerely, thank you for enriching my life!
Thank you, Ben, for making my week, every week. I sometimes think that creators, like yourself, of beautiful videos - spritually, musically, poetically and visually - don't realise how much what they produce means to those who watch and listen. You are a bringer of joy! Thank you, once again.
Ben, your videos are calming, charming, respectful, skillful, clearly from the heart, and a delightful tour of British backroads countryside and best of all - places of worship. Musical tourism :). Therapeutic! Thanks - you almost feel like a longtime friend as you seriously look into the camera and out of my screen!!!!! Bravo!
I absolutely love your videos, awesome are your wandering around rural England. I was a somewhat amateur organist during my late teens until early twenties, a church fire destroyed all my music and my shoes. Unable at the time to afford to replace it all, my organist life paused, never to resume, sadly. Thank you for sharing your gifts. I will always love the music of the king of instruments.❤
Thank you for again a lovely tour of such a lovely church. Glad you dared use the pedals on your last piece there. Ye Watchers at St Martins demonstrates the power of a good pedal board! Blessing to you in all you do.
I envy your talent on the organ and the compilation of the village and church history making a complete story. I really believe your posts are worthy of transmission by a national television company.
That’s super kind, thank you Graham :)
Ben, as a resident of Southern California, you have given me an amazing gift of escaping the overwhelming fire difficulty! Seeing the green fields, the trees and lovely river is so refreshing!! Thank you for taking us along. All of this along with the great music is such a blessing!!!
I, too, live in Los Angeles, home to some decent organs (First Congregational, Disney). But these weekly concerts usher me into the realm of the sublime. Many thanks.
I think his videos inspire people to take a look of churches around where we all live.
I am very familiar with both Dorset and Wiltshire ( oh and Dartmoor), so love your channel, with the history of village churches, the walk to them and of course..............the enthralling music. I now live in W Australia, so you are bringing me a little bit of home.
I really wish Ben's videos had been available back in 1990 when I foolishly offered to accompany the hymns when our church lost their organist 'just until you can find a real organist'. I was still playing nearly 30 years later, when I finally moved from the village. Village organists are hard to come by and my village had to put up with someone hovering between grade 2 and 3 piano. Once every couple of years they were treated to a 'real organist' when my brother visited from Australia as I refused to play in front of him. I had been under the illusion that organists were two a penny having been brought up in a family with two good organists (my father and brother), but sadly for Cholderton they were lumbered with the non-musical member of the family. And when Ben asked how do you choose what to play at the start of the service I thought 'dig out that grade 2 Purcell' I could just manage to get through and then there was my brother's book of simplified Bach pieces he was learning when he was six!
It was fortunate that I found Ben's videos a month or so before Christmas, as I returned to Cholderton so their Christmas day service wasn't without music. This time round I had a much better idea of what I should be trying to do. And though I hadn't practised since lockdown, I had a week to get in some practice (in a very cold church - so I sympathise when Ben has fingers too cold to play) and actually experimented with the stops this time (rather than all in or all out!).
So thank you Ben, I've learnt something about playing the organ, as well as enjoying these videos very much. And thankyou for playing one of my favourite pieces - Farewell to Stromness, which I had been teaching myself but never attempted to play on the organ.
Thanks for this! I wish we were neighbors, I would love to get to know you!
I think you are being far to harsh about your abilities. If you played regularly for 30 years, you must have been producing music that people appreciated. So well done.
There's nothing wrong with a bit of grade 2 Purcell or simple Bach, it's all about the tune 'innit'.
I went to a performance of "Oliver Messiaen - La Nativité du Seigneur" in Bath Cathedral last Christmas. Though very grand and impressive, you can't exactly hum along to that.
I'd likely enjoy your Purcell more.
Ben, your musical talents are undeniable. Love all you play. Still…must give a shout out to your camera and editing skills! The time and care is very much appreciated. The end result is an experience for the viewer where we feel that we are having a one-on-one walk with you, chatting about the area, dodging puddles, avoiding cows. And then we explore the church together, soak in the atmosphere, peek over your shoulder as you play, and let the music wash over us. Thank you for all you share.
You took me back to the early 1980’s when I was a tour guide taking visitors to see the Piddles and Puddles of Dorset. They loved it and I loved it too.
As someone who has spent more Sundays than I can count in small, English village churches, I think you unequivocally proved the point that a good organist can make a great sound from even the most humble instrument. That prelude to close the service, played at Piddlehinton, would have most village congreations aghast. Bravo.
I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again: you are as passionate as you are talented. Keep up the good work.
There's nothing quite so charming as an old churchyard full of snowdrops, so totally british
So early for snowdrops. But then again I am colored by living in NE VT where it is currently well below zero, snow on the way again tonight, and Spring is about 3 weeks long in May. Then Summer until mid-September.
Plodding through the Piddle-side puddles to play a Sunday concert! Thank you sir!
Don’t you just love the ambient sounds he records for us? I can just feel and smell the cool, damp air.
My first impression of that church... is it is well loved. Immaculate....
If the organ was moved 40 years ago you barely missed it. Glad you caught it a few towns over. Lovely video again this week; thanks.
Like the chase in the old curiosity shop.
Heavens! How old do you think Ben is? He said that he finished at Oxford in 2018. I'm guessing that he's barely 30, if that.
But, so glad that he found this organ and showcased it.
It was a real pleasure to see and to hear today`s video,Ben ,and to realize how much work it means,to edit it! Thank you a lot!
Thanks so much Gerhard, truly appreciate your support!
@@SalisburyOrganist And I`m happy to be able to support your great work a little bit!
How amazingly beautiful was the last hymn. And all you did on the single manual organ was great and very tastefully done. You know, the great thing about pipe organs in churches is the fact that people WILL sing with it! And the more boisterous the playing, the louder they sing. This does not work with piano or keyboards playing, say a flute. People singing their hearts out to God with such a beautiful instrument is amazing. I thank God for talented organists like yourself. And I thank you for these wonderful treks to these quaint village churches. The history and beauty just astound me. Thank you, Ben!
Mr. Maton, I love your work! For being such a young man, you play as if you have 50 years of experience. Thank you for all your hard work.
Ben. Your videos have inspired me to have another go at playing a church organ. I regret to say I am a very amateur electronic keyboard player who never learnt to play left hand properly. Our local anglican church, St Michaels and all Angels here in Highworth NE Wiltshire near Swindon, has a very impressive 3 manual electronic organ with some "hybrid" wind blown.pipes. I played my Eb tuba in our local brass band for a civic service today. My seat was next to the organ console, unused for this service, and I could almost feel the instrument calling to me to have another go at getting to a basic hymn playing standard. I approached the vicar after the service and he gave me his permision to arrange a time I could start getting to grips with it. If I could even play say "Abide with me" to a basic standard that wouldn't offend, I would be happy. Thank you for inspiring me to, at least, try.
"...puddles alongside the River Piddle." 😄 Man, that was a muddy path you had to walk through to get to the church. Love the hymns. Thanks, Ben.
We sing "All creatures of our God and King" to that tune. Another fascinating video, thank you
What a lovely, lovely, soft timbre this organ projects. I am glad it's not a large instrument. Ben, you have such empathy for these creatures and their environs - truly a gift beyond all measure! Feeling grateful for knowing you.
I LOVED your discourse on preludes and postludes, and the Tunder piece on both organs. I’d love to walk into church hearing Farewell to Stromness-beautiful.
I look forward to your videos each Sunday! In case you hadn't heard, things are absolutely out-of-control in the U.S. right now and your videos provide some much needed respite. Thank you!
Hello from Australia...
Here, we have nothing over 250 yrs old...
Treasure your beautiful inheritance...
Nothing like music to heal to soul..?
Blessings... ❤
I’m loving your channel because of your music. My church has a beautiful organ but nobody to play it. I’m Lutheran in Ohio, and the tunes you play are so like ours. I was married in that church and our organist played for my wedding with gusto and really made it sing! Sadly nobody plays nowadays.
And Ben, I love the visual tours of the English countryside and historical context of the beautiful churches you provide with your videos. My hope is someday I’ll get to see it for myself! I’ve been to Germany and see the big cathedrals but I prefer the smaller country village churches. Thanks for your work in promoting this!
I’m so thankful that I found your TH-cam channel… your music helps me make it through the day and to deal with my horrible pain from my having a bad genetic disorder Ehlers Danlos that is crippling me …. Sometimes my pain is so intense that I’m crying… but your music makes me feel like I’m going to be better. Distraction is a great medicine for those who have chronic pain. Thank you dear Jesus for the beautiful blessings you have given him to share with the world!
Kevin muldowney physio wrote living life to the fullest with ehlers danlos about reducing pain by strengthening? It might be worth a look, although I know it's a tricky condition! Good luck and sending prayers!
So sorry that you have been given that cross to bear. Music is not only God's language, it is also balm for our souls. Thank you. Ben, for applying that balm for us!
The Salisbury Organist at his very best: great hymns played on a beautifully-made organ in a rubbish-free church transposed to a lower key to help singers like me. And what a glorious way to celebrate Candlemas by playing Franz Tunder’s Praeludium and Athelstan Riley’s Ye watchers and ye holy ones at St Martins.
I agree. I don’t like books or papers stacked all wonky - not exactly rubbish but I always notice.
Love the small village church's. So much has changed in our lives since the 1950's Always loved classical organ music. Thank you.
Thanks Ben for this wonderful journey to Dorset. Whenever I return to England, I will bypass London and go straight to Salisbury and then Dorset.
Just really wonderful on the St. MARTINS Organ. Thank you.
Thank you Ben for making our Sunday nights so nice and peaceful. I wish you all the best from Pennsylvania USA
I think what I enjoy most about your presentations is the unhurried pace that you establish right from the start. It carries on throughout each video through the perfectly paced organ, harmonium, or guitar (thank you BILLY). I detest organists who play every piece as if it was either a call to arms or marathon race. Your beautiful village churches encourage this as the sounds move throughout the stone and plaster arches. Thank you yet again Ben!
I'll second that thought. Too many hymns and carols are ruined by organists who play too fast for singers to keep up; especially us Men-folk, who need time to sing the notes in key, without straining our voices.
I love the hymns. "Immortal, invisible, God only wise!"😃
It's been one of my favourite hymns for decades, and hearing Ben play it on a village church organ moved me to tears I have to admit. Sometimes simplicity works best.
Thanks Ben for another Sunday musical journey, glad you remind us all the time and energy that goes into making these videos. Really enjoyed you playing at your favourite organ.
Never apologize for what you do! The “accidents” and surprises are a big part of your charm. I watch largely to visit the obscure English countryside which I find hold dear and to vicariously enjoy your adventures. The postlude you played was most appropriate. Thanks 🙏
Another enjoyable video in a beautiful village church! Thank you for taking us along with you!🌞
Enjoy your historical perspectives almost as much as I enjoy your music.
Ben your videos are so educational, peaceful and calming, your voice maestro God bless you , thank you 🙏 Richard 🇺🇸
I love watching you meander towards beautiful ancient churches and hear your glorious music and commentary
The vast amount of time the editing of each of your lovely and passionate videos, we can only guess at! Thank you so much! How fun it be to accompany you on these quests.
Thank you h. From you I learn so much about organ music and the organ, after years of being in churches. Also LOVE your walks and drives that you share with us. You are giving us an in-depth history of life in rural England. Wonderful to hear familiar hymns. Olive J.😊
What an uplifting final hymn. I’m now set for the week ahead. Thank you so much.
Hurrah!
Lovely music on a small village church organ. A typical English village church with a typical churchyard and beautiful snowdrops. Your choice of music for that church was brilliant. 'Fairwell to Stromness' was a good choice for a voluntary before the service and the German piece worked so well as an 'end piece' but I don't think it would have been been right as a pre-service voluntary. Your hard work with the camera and in particular with the editing really are much appreciated!
A big thank-you Ben!
Anyone who said you didn't play an organ didn't stay til' the end of your video. Plus--- we had all week to anticipate your playing this organ at St. Mary's Church.
Love the Ye Watchers hymn. Thank you.
Loved playing that one
For organ with all these shortcomings, you sure played it beautifully. I appreciate your explanations regarding the rationale of different pieces. Thank you.
Hello Ben! Long time listener / viewer. First time commenting. Felt first that I had to have some skin in the game so I sent $100 via PayPal. I enjoy your work and hope you can continue for as long as you wish. Here in the United States, we have a similar problem where great organs are in disrepair or failing. Some, like the Wanamaker Organ at Macy's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have an uncertain future as Macy's is closing next month. I will get there this month via Amtrak from Harrisburg; the State Capitol, to Philly, 104 miles to the East. Only time will tell what future this grand instrument has.
Keep the faith my friend.
Richard Peiffer
An absolute pleasure. Thank you Richard and I’m glad you enjoyed 😊
A great pleasure to see and hear a young man with passion.
Loved this week's music selections and your teachings on playing the village organ. Glad to see that last week's organ was taken to a good home 🙂.
Another excellent video at a much preferred time for me 5pm rather than later timed uploads last year, this is perfect Sunday late afternoon viewing for me😊
Another fantastic episode, a wet walk through the puddles culminating in the discovery a beautiful little church.!! As you said.....no clutter, just a pristine and very, very beautiful church. Can't wait for next week's episode Ben.
Hello, Ben. I understand and totally agree with what you are doing for the village organ, and yes, they are built for playing hymns, but I also love to listen and watch you let loose on a monster piece on a great organ like the William Hill in St. Martin's (my favourite) or the biggie at Wells😁.
Your comments during Immortal, Invisible, etc. show that you are deeply humanitarian and instead of just showing off your talents at the keyboard of an organ, you look for ways to help a congregation enjoy singing hymns. In spite of your shyness, you love people. I know God works through you.
The Tunder piece sounded great and that sturdy little organ didn't brreak!😊
Now for the coda. You can't spoil the magic of your travels through south-west England. That's impossible. But let me say your talents are manifold even though they aren't readily visible to all. If anybody doubts, all they have to do is 'spot-watch' your videos from their genesis (if I may) up to the present to see the evolution of your story-telling and video-making skills. What you have to do to make them is the magician's secret and you are the magician.
Thank you, Ben, and I'm already waiting impatiently for next week's video.
I liked both versions of the Praeludium and Farewell to Stromness. These visits to churches I could never have seen are a wonderful voyage back through time. The approaches from the footpaths and fields can feel like a time warp. I am so thankful to have joined this journey. Thank you for the thought and care involved. It is very much appreciated.
Ben, this was lovely. And I so enjoyed this church, organ, and always you. Thank you for all you do.....
These videos are such a comfort on a dreary Sunday afternoon. Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Beautiful church and wonderful organ. Both brought to life by your good self Ben! Greetings and many thanks from Ireland.🇮🇪☘️
Hello! Coming in from West Virginia, USA and I have to say that you are a gentleman, a scholar and an extremely skilled organist. Those overtones from the pipe organ at Saint Martins are resounding.
Ben, I enjoy your kind advice on selections. I generally play hymns, introits and simple preludes and postludes for the three services I play with three different churches each weekend. Your tours are always such a treat! Bravo, Sir! 👏🏻👏🏻🎹
Thanks for another great video Ben
It’s my pleasure!
Hi Ben, yet another fantastic video, thank you.
Coming home each Lords Day evening, I look forward to watching your videos. They are indeed a benediction to each Sunday.
Thank you so much for your time and talent.
May God richly bless you.
The LORD bless thee and keep thee. Numbers 6:24
Thank you Ben for taking us to St. Mary's Church to see and listen to the Organ that was saved and transported there instead of being destroyed. I loved seeing the very neat village Church. I especially appreciated showing us the editing of your videos. I am looking forward to listen to Organ music for Postludes. Thank you again for sharing with us your musical talent.
I lived at the top of Piddle Valley for a while. Glorious countryside. PiddleTrenthide had an excellent pub. As did Piddle Hinton.
There are so many beautiful country lanes to explore around there.
The Piddle and The European now closed but The Thimble is still open and very popular.
@anneclements2473
Ah yes, I had forgotten the name. Sorry to hear about the others.
Thanks for the update Anne. Cheers.
Always the highline of my day. Thank u ever so much! TX. Memaw
Ben, you are such a talented young man. An accomplished organist, talented videographer topped off by your love of history and literature. Thank you for all you share with us.
Beautiful building!
Organ looks tall and proud in that building!
Thanks for all of your videos!
I have never seen a pipe organ with one manual and no peddleboard. I am impressed by how you deal with that. You may or may not be aware that in some churches no Postlude is played because the congregation insists on having this time for conversation and socializing!!! I look forward to your next presentation.
Beautiful ❤ and also enjoy the blooming snowdrops. They’re beginning to bloom in my garden here in Oregon. Your music brought tears, so lovely. Thank you
Than you for a another amazing video Ben it was a lovely church sorry you had so many puddles to walk this wk I enjoyed your hymns that you played this week you make my Sunday bright day I do look so forward to to next week it was lovely to hear the woodpecker till next week I do love that organ you play in Salisbury take care ❤️👌
A great, informative and lovely video, Ben, and a continuing storyline! Thank you for everything.
All the pieces you played were fantastic. You have increased my love of organ music after subscribing to you channel this past year.
Great video Ben as always. Seeing the hand pump reminded me of a story my dad told me when he was an altar boy in the 60s. My dad was asthmatic, and it was his turn to hand pump the organ one day . He was knackered, and the last hymn was Jerusalem, and my dad was losing steam and from the console the organist was laughing his head off at my dad panting and wheezing especially as Jerusalem uses most of the organ stops. My dad, once he finished politely, told him to bugger off while the organist was wetting himself with laughter. 😂
Thank you for sharing this magnificent instrument and your expertise! ❤
Brings back memories of my mother who played harmonium for 16 years and wasn't religious in the least! She used my grade 4 pieces book for extra music. Lots of 17th century stuff mostly. And you're right...organists in small country areas are thin on the ground in New Zealand as well. I had the odd go on that machine but I was always a singer really.
Another week of sore cheeks from smiling through a video! Thanks again, Ben, for such delightful and informative contributions to our days. Your videos are truly a blessing.
Enjoy the English Countryside tours you faithfully provide each week. Delightful sounds and commentary. Thank you! Keep up the great work!
What a magnificent contrast. Your ability to play is extraordinary thank you so much
Dear,Ben, what I can only say is that I just love your talent!
Now my Sunday is complete with a virtual visit.home . . . and thanks for the peek at the editing work.
Again Ben. What a wonderful Sunday organ video ....very calming
Hi Ben, I really enjoyed the explanatory texts that you inserted into your video footage. It made the video more interesting without interrupting the continuity. Thanks !
Lovely to see my Scots saltire behind you when playing.I wonder which family it represents.Lovely village church.
Thank you for the abundance of good music this week. I did not complain, because I knew that you were telling a story, which well you did. I was thinking in the middle of the Prelude in G Minor that you should do a comparison with how it sounds on a large organ. And then to my great pleasure, you did just that. The contrast also alerted me to another feature of the larger organ, the acoustic space in which it resides. I heard it particularly early in the piece. The same organ would not do in the smaller church. It is where it should be, and the sound is grand. I like the variety of music you play, but please continue to include a hymn each time. I miss the old hymns and long to hear and sing along with a variety of old hymns. Excellent video, excellent story.
Wow nice effort producing such good music on a village organ. And thank you for capturing church history. Wondering how the landscape of England looked and sounded when all these churches were busy with worship services.
Ben, great tips about being flexible with the key in which one plays hymns. I remember back in my musician days having to be able to transpose on the fly.
I also appreciated your comments about appropriate preludes for a village church organ. I daresay they ought to apply to big organs as well.
The challenge is to pick low enough for the men but not so low the women struggle. Tricky balancing!
Just beautiful once again. Thank you for elevating us all.
By the magic of iphone you joined me on a snowy, February trek in Maine. It was lovely. Thank you forthe lovely music
I like your selections today. One resource for pieces that would be playable on a one-manual organ is the Oxford University Press series “Old English Organ Music for Manuals.” (Wesley, Stanley, Greene, etc.) They also used to publish a series: “Organ Music for Manuals,” with various composers represented. Concordia used to publish a series: “Baroque Organ Music for Manuals:” I don’t know if they are still in print. Also Franck: L’Organiste. Cheers!
Great video again. Excellent combination of story, explanation and music.
I always enjoy watching your videos and listening to you play some especially challenging organs. I am also an organist in the US. I have played some challenging organs too.
You made the village organ sing!
Thank you Ben another wonderful video. We love seeing the village churches the different organs and the Beautiful music you play on them, it doesn’t matter if you play every week you make every video so interesting thank you again ❤
Open Diapason, Stopped Diapason - saving this organ was more than a "pipe dream"! 😇
Great episode, Ben. I enjoy the education you provide along with the music. The postlude was great on both instruments.
We enjoy every episode Ben. It gives a window into some seldom seen buildings, and beautiful landscapes, complete with music that is worth preservation.
A lovely time again, Ben. I loved to hearing Farewell to Stromness on an English Village organ. Thank you.
Bravo Ben! Out of the top drawer old bean. You have set the bar very high this week.
Simply a lovely presentation which I truly appreciate & enjoy. I learn so much from your musical tutorials. Sincerely, thank you for enriching my life!
❤ BRAVO, Ben...bless you.🎉
I love how the light switch is next to the candle.
Thank you, Ben, for making my week, every week.
I sometimes think that creators, like yourself, of beautiful videos - spritually, musically, poetically and visually - don't realise how much what they produce means to those who watch and listen. You are a bringer of joy! Thank you, once again.
Great demonstration, nice haircut, and delightful chat!
Ben, your videos are calming, charming, respectful, skillful, clearly from the heart, and a delightful tour of British backroads countryside and best of all - places of worship. Musical tourism :). Therapeutic! Thanks - you almost feel like a longtime friend as you seriously look into the camera and out of my screen!!!!! Bravo!
I absolutely love your videos, awesome are your wandering around rural England. I was a somewhat amateur organist during my late teens until early twenties, a church fire destroyed all my music and my shoes. Unable at the time to afford to replace it all, my organist life paused, never to resume, sadly.
Thank you for sharing your gifts. I will always love the music of the king of instruments.❤
Thank you for again a lovely tour of such a lovely church. Glad you dared use the pedals on your last piece there.
Ye Watchers at St Martins demonstrates the power of a good pedal board!
Blessing to you in all you do.
I love this video. Thank you for the care and time you put into making these. Your videos have become a nice part of my Sundays.