I generally have about as much proper faith and religion in me as you'll find in a random bicycle horn... but there is just something about British cathedrals, large and small... even I feel a certain reverence in such places. Truly things of beauty. The British countryside is equally glorious in its own right. This video literally moved me to tears not once, but _twice_ -- once, with the dedication from the officer's widow, and the other with the wonderful hymn at the end. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world, and thank you for showing us all these tiny cathedrals in the places people all-too-often forget unless they live there.
Hi Ben, please see my message below about (a) Trinity College, and (b) Oliver Latry. In terms of the advice you requested... The trick IMO is to have the palms of your hands much lower - about level with the key top when the key is pressed - and pull the key down using the same action as if you were closing your hand i.e. pull your finger tips towards the palms of your hands. In addition - and I got this from concert pianist Danny Driver - with the Widor Toccata in particular, strike the keys like you are playing a Steinway grand! Do not keep your keys on the key surface! This prevents tension. Never carry tension with this piece. A single wrong note tells you that you're carrying tension. If you don't realize this, then more tension will result as you worry about the wrong note! I think this is what happened to you. With these two fixes, I can now play this piece for hours without fatigue or tension. I think your decision not to soldier on, and tough it out, was a very good one indeed!! 😃
A lesser man would never post a video showing themself struggling with something they are known to be good at. It’s the honesty, the musings and little reflections that make you a star, and so relatable somehow x
Well said. These thoughts capture my own experience with this rare and delightful channel. The sensitivity and brilliance of Ben Maton are matched by his restraint in expressing the frustration that this organ must have been to him. His mature response had no swearing or throwing of equipment. BRAVO!
What a dreadful tale of woe; an organ with gold pipes getting the better of our Hero! However, Ben is a ‘lovely guy’ and we, the 34,000 members of his TH-cam family, are very fortunate to enjoy so much of Ben’s loveliness, despite his inability to play a faulty organ.
Even a frustrated and frazzled Ben is calmer than I at my best, lol. Bless you, Ben. I know exactly where you're coming from. As a professional pianist, 66 years old, who grew up accustomed to playing on classic Baldwins and Steinways, quite often I had to play "lesser" instruments that almost always had heavier actions. Pieces that I had played a hundred times suddenly became endurance marathons that left my fingers shaking and my playing mistake riddled. I imagine for an organist it would be even worse. Strike this one up to experience. Bless you for your humility and honesty. We love you.
Ben, as others have commented, I really enjoyed today's journey -- the story of this humble church, highlighting its organ, and attempting Widor's Tocatta no less. Alas, we join you not for the perfect recital but for the soulful glimpse into what is good and sacred in our topsy-turvy world. Thank you, and continued best wishes. A proud supporter from Northern California.
Ben, I have watched several of your videos...this one is probably the most inspirational! I remember the preparation for my son's wedding, the presiding Vicar just happened be the Dean for West Staffordshire; drafted in as the resident vicar had rapididly left the parish with the funds. His words were ' I have a good organist!
You have commented several times on narrow foot pedal wells. Your shoes look rather chunky, have you considered something slimmer like dance pumps? Another item to load onto the trolley.
Was played by an organist friend at our wedding as we walked out. Asked him to have some fun with it and halfway down the aisle it morphed into The Magic Roundabout theme tune.
@SalisburyOrganist Widor toccata was a bit easier to play as it has 3 manuals. The organ was originally made by Joseph Walker 1856 J.W. Walker & Sons 1879 J.W. Walker & Sons 1934 Nicholson & Co. 2001
I watched this video the morning before Election Day in the US. It’s a very nervous time here. People are on edge. This video has calmed me greatly, Ben - your narrating voice, the beautiful church and organ, your humility and humanity, and the hymn at the end all worked to calm me. I am most grateful. Thank you.
@@SalisburyOrganist no, please just be yourself!! You are loved, but don’t get a swelled head. The chapel doors are for the humble of heart. I love you too, young friend!
My heat sank as you shared your story of the 120 laughing boys😢. I’m so glad that you didn’t let that moment discourage you from pursuing your dreams! The world is a far better place due to your talents 😊!
As a teenager, many years ago, I had to play for an evening service during "youth week". I was so nervous that instead of playing the introduction to a certain hymn, I played it all the way through. Afterwards, my teacher remarked that he thought it was appropriate. I hadn't even realized that I had done it.
First hand experience today from “Tales from the Organ Bench”… Planning for a couple weeks for a choir concert which I was accompanying today with a small chamber ensemble, harp and timpani. During the night last night the church’s boiler died, plummeting the church into cold. The ultimate decision was to move the concert a couple blocks over to another large church. The singers brought their music stands and sang with their same voices. The chamber musicians brought their usual personal instruments. Me, however, had to spend 2 hours after my church service across town re-registering all 70-some presets throughout the program for the different organ… going from a 1920’s romantic(ish) organ to a 1960’s Quasi-Neo-Baroque organ with a newer digital console. There were two train wrecks from me on this program, but otherwise it went mostly ok. The primary role of the organist is similar to the Borg motto: adapt. I have played the Widor on a little 5-rank tracker with 2 octaves of pedals: I’ve played it on a 4-manual, 80+ rank Baroque organ, and I’ve played it on digital and pipe organs of all sizes. And each time you play it, it is different. So in terms of this video, you are showing what every organist has to deal with since the instruments they play are not their own!
This was delightful. So many social media producers portray a perfect, often unattainable image of themselves. Thank you for being so honest, it added depth to your story. A true professional.
This beautiful autumn Sunday, I'm reminded of the words "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."
Sorry to sound pedantic, but here goes. The psalmist knew that, in Biblical times, the people lived in the valleys, keeping a weather eye on the hills which gave cover to both two and four legged predators. If,as some translations have it, you insert a full stop and a question mark, the whole thing makes sense, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the LORD……..”
Your honesty is above honor. Keep bringing me so much joy in your videos, you are a wonderful gift of art and music to our civilization which is so fragile.
Well played and well done Ben. Liked the brief history of that little church, and glad to see that it has been restored and kept in good repair. Cheers, dude.
Ben! Your weekly presentation is the highlight of my and literally thousands of other's, week! Keep it up, you're an asset to your fellow countrymen and like-minded souls all over the world!
Ben, I love your integrity and honesty! What joy you bring to us! Thank YOU! In tears listening to your last hymn in this video,, for me,....those stops immediately put me into a state of worship to Almighty God.
God bless you mightily Ben. Love coming home on a sabbath evening to watch your video. They are always a blessing to watch, but tonight's is just amazing. The history, your narrative, the music, and your honest comments on playing Widor on a village organ were such a blessing. May I ask, suggest maybe even request that you would play some time my favourite hymn, And Can it Be that I Should Gain. Many thanks and best regards from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Honestly, tears come to my eyes when I see the quiet English countryside, ancient churches, and hear hymns played on country pipe organs. It takes me back to England where I visited in Oct. '24. I soul is quieted and I can pray. Thank you, Ben. I increased my monthly donation because your work is so meaningful. Melita Green
What a way to end the video with the hymn "Be still for the presence of the Lord is here." Just over a month ago, the same hymn was played at the opening of our evening young people's service and I've not recovered from its earworm. How we need that stillness in our heart today in the midst of this troubled world. Thank you Ben.
Always a real pleasure and perfect ending to a Sunday to see and hear Ben Grateful thanks from Scotland for all your work and dedication which is second to none 🙏
You weren't defeated, Ben, you learned something. Its the greatest triumph of all. God bless you. You bring me close to my green and pleasant land every week, for I am so far away.
I did it once as the postlude when playing the service at what would be the American equivalent of a village church. On a small and old pipe organ. It came out crisp, clean, and vibrant! The congregation was quite moved and elated. And it confirmed to me that an instrument’s humble nature never need rob a congregation of great beauty.
"Be still for the presence of the Lord" was truly enjoyable to listen to and a most appropriate prompt for all of us to heed in these times. You made it a joy to experience a visit to St. Andrews Church. Thank you.
What an absolutely crazy coincidence - the first church service I ever played as an organist had Be Still for the Presence of the Lord as one of the hymns too!. I took up organ reasonably later than you, but almost 6 months into playing services and still happily going strong. Love your channel!
Ben, take heart! I'm feel sure that Vidor's Toccata & Fugue would not have been composed if Vidor had to play on THAT organ...Again beautiful music! Thank you!
Every lesson is valuable , whether deemed a success or not , a lesson is learned , your ability to share your struggles and triumphs honestly gives us all encouragement to do likewise .
Widor’s Toccata and Be Still … imperfection and perfection … a lovely combination and contrast! I thought you’d like to know that before the busyness of the day I often start my morning Still Time with your Be Still. And if I need a boost later on, I click your red sock Lefebure Wely!
Ah, that explains why you include that one! We used to sing it in the Episcopal church back in the 1980s and 90s, usually accompanied by guitar. Your treatment of it on the organ makes it even better.
I'm not an organist, but I play one on Sunday. (well, piano, mostly) Thank you for showing that adaptation to instruments is hard work. Going in and playing cold on an unfamiliar instrument. Many thanks for showing the aftermath of "And that's as many wrong notes as you'll ever hear on the Salisbury Organist's channel". Each week I look forward to video.
The words on that bench more than made up for your defeat by that organ. Those words reminding you of such a beautiful piece of music that you were able to share at the end was so worth watching the entire video. Thank you.
Ben,I do know to thank you or what to say. I asked you a few weeks ago about you playing this. I wanted to here and watch you play this. I am so thrilled by you. It was far more then I had hoped for. Thank you Ben...
We'll be playing our twice yearly game of time travel here in the Flatlands. At 2 a.m. we turn our clocks back to 1 a.m., allowing us the luxury of an extra hour of sleep or insomnia depending on how Saturday night goes. Looking forward to seeing/hearing whatever's hidden behind that angelic face.
Where I live its Central Standard Time. We don’t change our clocks. We still have 24 hours in the day. I personally think it’s the only sensible thing to do!
@@lizwilliams14 I completely agree! I know that there might be something obvious that I'm missing, but I've never really understood the "benefits" of the time change ritual.
I admire you for trying that! My answer is always "No, it won't work, especially on a tracker with one keyboard". Then I steer them towards Mendelssohn... Once on a non-tracker, I agreed after a lot of persuasion, but kept my eye on the congregation as they left and after about 5 pages stuck in a final chord and stopped, with a silent apology offered to Charlie Mary, of course. Nobody moaned at me because they were all outside having their photos taken. 😁 Happy playing and well done for the great videos and all the extra info. Village churches, and organs, in the UK are a truly wonderful part of our heritage and history.
Thank you so much for playing "Be still for the presence of the Lord..." It brings back special memories of singing it in our choir In Welkom, South Africa. We were also blessed with a pipe organ. You have a special gift Ben.
Your Widor was far better than any of my attempts in my years as an organist. My little legs always found it hard to play the octave pedal leaps without my bum sliding off the organ stool!
WONDERFUL - I played for 16 years on the wonderful 2M Nicholson Tracker action Organ at St Mark's Bilton near Rugby - with the Widor at weddings, I would never couple Swell to Great till the last 2 or 3 bars, it is so stiff coupled. I entirely agree with your comments about Introduction practice for Hymns but you demonstrated that you are a real expert - especially the section at the end - WELL DONE
Ben. I love watching and listening to your videos. My mother learned to play piano while growing up in a Scottish coal mining village in the 1930s and early1940s. She eventually became organist at our family church on Vancouver Island. Sadly she passed away age 48 in 1980. It is a cherished memory I have of her. She was always up for a challenge when she heard a tune she liked. Carry on playing, Ben. I bought you 10 coffees - and I don't even drink coffees.
He really uses 2 of my favorite mottos: "adapt, improvise, overcome" and " do what you can with what you have, where you are". (Organ 1, Ben 1. A draw). From Chicago, U.S.A.
Ah, Ben. What a marvelous video! Not all outcomes are great, but it is through these trials that make us stronger, knowledgeable, and experienced. When I was in high school, the choral director asked me to accompany the girls' ensemble that the accompanist could sing with them. The piece did not have a good ending, so she hand wrote the new ending - about two pages worth. I practiced and practiced. The piece was "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella." I was nervous that day, having already sung in the choir and played bassoon with the band. I think there were about 2,000 students assembled in the gymnasium for this Christmas program. As I was beginning the piece, I heard a voice behind me urging me to play at a faster tempo. A tempo much faster than I had done in rehearsal. Then, I came to the handwritten portion. Sheer and utter panic. Honestly, that is all I can remember.
Thanks for two things: a) for showing the small churches and organs and reflecting on the things, small organists have to deal with every day in contrast to the big cathedral organs everyone wants to play - and b) this story and video really helped me to calm down after an exhausting day and find back to inner strength and confidence. That was especially helpful today ❤😊
rarely do i have time to be so early to a video, this was so lovely to watch. if only every village church still had an organist. so many churches i think of, especially around my parts in london & st albans where i’ve never heard the organ being played even though it’s right there.
The sooner one internalizes the idea that everyone makes many mistakes every day, the more relaxed and fun life becomes. Just life as usual. Better enjoy the ride!
In 1961 Francis Jackson,organist of York Minster Cathedral,played Charles-Marie Widor’s Toccata Symphony No.5 at the Duke and Duchess’s of Kent wedding.Before then it wasn’t widely played for wedding ceremonies. I like the fact that you’re willing to share these challenges with us which shows even better character.Thanks
You should be awarded a B for Bravery for even attempting that stunt on that organ! I knew as soon as you began that that creaky old tracker action might defeat you, but you soldiered on. Such good fun teasing new tricks out of such an old dog of an organ!
Dear little organ could well have shed tears of joy after Ben had left. "I'm so happy, I've always wanted to have that played on me and no one else has dared. Now I feel I have reached my peak and can stare all those big organs in the eye and say ever so casually - oh yes, indeed, Ben Maton, the Salisbury Organist, he's quite famous actually. Yes, on You Tube, I'm recorded for posterity having it played on me. Thousands of views, hundreds of Likes".
Its always great to see behind the scenes as it were, editing is great at making someone sound perfect every time, as we all know it takes practice to not make a mistake, but when you get through a piece of music for the first time, fault free, its just a wonderful thing. If only i was anywhere near as good as you. Im an home organ player on my Technics GA3 organ and since ive been watching you ive gone back to playing church music which was always my first love but seemed to move away from over the years. ive purchased a few classic & Hymn music books and im really enjoying getting to grips with the likes of Jupiter, Ave Maria and Nimrod, although nimrod has been getting me tied up in knots trying to get through it without mistakes, which ive not yet managed, even playing it really slow. Keep up the good work its a pleasure tuning in. ps ive sent you a few quid to help pay for your Cheese n Pickle Sandwich's😄.
@@SalisburyOrganist Hi Ben, what sound recording equipment do you have, im struggling to record the bass on the organ, my camcorder will pick up the main organ but there's no bass even if i record direct from the headphone jack point, it would be great if you could do a video showing what equipment you have and may be even showing abit about your editing.
Ben, I've been in a very dark place since the presidential election results on Wednesday. I found this video today and it was deeply comforting. Thank you. There is goodness and beauty and it's not far away.
Churches like this one are dotted all over England and all as beautiful, ancient and full of history and music. I defy anyone who cannot love that for what it is and all it represents. Lovely rendition on this quite simple church organ. I am not a musician at all but really enjoyed the talk and the music. No matter how strenuous. 🤣
There is so much to enjoy on every level in your content: the music, the sacred places, the history, the appreciation of nature and stillness. Thank you :-)
Wonderful….Be still for the presence of the Lord is one of my favourites, loved learning the technical side of the organs…hope we learn to be still this week …shalom
Greetings Ben, Lovely first video to discover you by. Ahhh.... the C. M. Widor "Toccata"! 🥳 Lovely! I have been a pianist since beginning very young... maybe 4 or 5 years old. I got married 26 years ago.... working to support family.... music has taken a back seat. Then just over 18 years ago, I was supposed to be dead already. Brain tumor. Anyway.... the year before I met my wife, I recorded a CD. I have that to look back, remember, me at my peak. In the year 2000, while visiting my wife's high school bench mate, she half Latvian, I did a 23 1/2 hour whirlwind tour of Riga, Latvia. I was on a pipe organ email list with a chap who's Church was directly across the street from the Riga Dom. So I believe he had tipped me off to the concert while we would be in Estonia. I went down on the bus, my wife's friend met me, I changed into concert clothes in the Riga bus station, which still had Soviet era squat potties.... (holes in the floor)... so I had to be careful not to step in the hole while changing into dress clothes. The concert was absolutely lovely. The Riga Dom has the second largest tracker organ in the world.... an E. F. Walker. 25 ranks of pipes under swell on the first balcony, and the rest of the ranks up on the second balcony, literally strapped to the organist's back at the console. Some of the tracker levers are I believe 25 meters long. There are Barker Levers to assist in playing the organ. Lovely.... that organ has similar touch to my 1927 Steinway model L grand piano! I met up with my Latvian organ friend at the concert.... first time meeting him.... and he arranged a organ tour by someone from the Riga Dom. We were shown and explained the console. As the guide was stepping up from the console, I noticed he latched in one of the alphabetically labeled pedals. He latched in the Tuti!!! Naughty, naughty, naughty!!! He was hoping I would throw my hands on the keyboard and get blown off the bench! Nay! I unlatched it. I and my Latvian organ friend selected some stops, and I began into hymn "As the Deer" from memory. Oooohhhhh..... that never sounded better! For the "B part" I asked my friend to quickly draw some trumpet reeds, and I seem to recall he indicated to switch manuals I was playing the melody on. AWESOME transition! Then I went back to the original keyboard when the "A part" came back. And he had selected some nice rumbley bass ranks. The walls were gently shaking. I do not think that hymn ever sounded better! Now, you ask how I knew how to use organ pedals, me being a pianist. I had assisted with organ playing at Church two years. And I have always had a keen interest in Theater Pipe Organs.... Cinema Organs in your part of the world. As Church organist.... the Church had a 1970's electronic with duel Leslie speakers. My favorite memory of that organ was playing "Mary's Boy Child" for the Christmas service. I kicked the Leslie speakers in for that piece.... got a nice 1960's Roller Rink feel to it.... and the congregation was swaying side to side. 😎 So yes, I was not totally green / first time dealing with the concept of having more than three pedals! 😋 So other piece suggestions: "Basso ostinato" by Peeter Süda. Best performance I know of is on CD Estnische Orgellandschaft 1 performed by Aare-Paul Lattik. My first trip to Estonia (my wife's homeland) we went to an organ concert in Tallinn at Dom Kirik. While there for the concert we purchased a CD of Baltic organ music.... tracks on that Tallinn Dom Kirik, the Riga Dom which is how I found out about that organ, and the third in Lithuania. Many Estonian organists record this next suggestion: "Benedictus" Op 59 Nr 9 by Max Reger The piece on that CD played on the Riga Dom organ.... wow!!! (And not something for a small organ!) "Via Dolorosa" by Aivars Kalejs And the composer composed the piece on/for that organ, and he recorded the Latvian tracks. Upon my first hearing of the piece, I immediately subtitled the piece "Prelude to the entrance of God". Very much music for Biblical account (Exodus 33) of God allowing Moses to see His back, while God covered / protected Moses as He passed by. There is a Finnish hymn which is very special to me.... "Be Still, My Soul" which is the middle part of Jean Sibelius's "Finlandia". Ginny Owen's selected that for the last track of her "Something More" album. I have selected that to be the closing hymn of my Celebration of Life service, when ever that happens to be. It was sutable for Ginny to end her CD wtih.... it will be suitable to close my service with. Finland is not far distance from Estonia.... my adopted homeland. As for Jean Sibelius's "Finlandia", organist Kalevi Kiviniemi published to TH-cam a brilliant performance of the piece on an organ in Tampere, Finland. It was nice to make your acquaintance today. I have subscribed to your channel.
Well, you tried well, and therefore you can walk home with yout head held high. I am sure you will return and 'finish Widor off... You know that you can play that piece. Those ideas and hints you gave sound ample and comprehensible, thank you for them. Special thanks also for quoting that 'Kyrie' from the Angles Mass, I can hardly remember when we sung it last time in a service! Greetings from a German leisure organist who is not fit for Widor's Toccata yet...
I wait for Ben's video every Sunday afternoon. It's become my Sunday afternoon coffee time after lunch. As I've said before, Ben is a treasure and an inspiration to every organist. After watching every episode it's hard to imagine Ben ever having trouble with a piece of music, fingering, pedaling, etc. When someone like Ben makes it look so easy, you know what an amazing and accomplished organist he is. Ben, how about BWV 721, Have Mercy On Me Oh Lord God? And by the way, I am envious of Sophia being able to hear Ben live. Thanks so much Ben!
With regard the Widor, and indeed similar works being played on smaller village organs, I'm very much for it - I've personally had success in using abridged and simplified versions of the original works when the need arises. If carefully chosen can offer a very clean and respectable performance. A particular favourite is Aubrey Tuckers abridged and simplified version of the Widor, it just works seamlessly for me and as I say, is very clean sounding on a small instrument, but still retaining a sense of skilfulness and grandeur - it's not disappointed a bride & groom yet!
Loved this video from St Martins Dornford. Having accompanied at school as pupil and teacher for years and NEVER got over the nervousness I empathised with the stopping as you played that lovely hymn..Be Still for the presence of the Lird and also all the hesitations in the marvellous Toccata. We musicians are all humans.😂 Thank you for the wonderful music and humour Ben. ..Di Wright. Zimbabwe.
Equal to David Attenborough is our generous maestro Ben. Such awe inspiring, wonderful and might I say - heavenly content. 😊😉 The last tune - so beautiful, played magnificently. Thank you so much.
I love it when you show your challenges and mistakes! It actually encourages us to expect the same in our work, whatever it is, and to find ways to persevere and overcome. I look forward to your return to this beautiful place! Meanwhile, I'll be looking for more benches.
I really liked this episode! Your introduction was very interesting. I much prefer to hear about small organs than huge, five manuals designs. I can relate to them. Yes, I can play a church organ but it is a two manuals design. What I have at home for practice (I am just transitioning from piano to organ) consists of a stage piano and a MIDI controller keyboard (I mostly play on one only) plus a pedal board with only 17 tones. I use Grand Orgue and get sample sets of small organs only. I really enjoyed this video! Thank you. Michael
Dear Ben, Hailing from the USA, this Anglophile tremendously enjoyed your interesting program. I studied organ but never amounted to anything. I love organ music and I have written a few pieces. I wish you success in this field and hope easy-to-manage organs would meet you for many years. I am at odds with PayPal but plan to drop you a check when I am next in merry olde England. Love in organism.
Great to see you freed up in your presentation by having a helper filming, really added something. Lovely too to have such an honest performance, warts and all! Enjoyable and informative as always. Thanks Ben
One day when you take us to a church with a three-manual (or more) pipe organ, give us Henri Mulet’s “Thou Art the Rock.” It is what Virgil Fox called a”barn burner” and always makes the hair on your neck stand straight! Great seeing Ms. Sophie with you again and helping with the videography.
Thanks for your thorough explanations. As one of those pianists who have never touched an organ, this was very interesting and informative. Looking forward to your next visit to this church organ!
I am thankful that you continue to be unbowed by your challenges and setbacks. Performance is always a tightrope walk, which sometimes owes its flavour to failing keys or in my case, vocal chords
Thanks Ben. That was very enjoyable, especially watching you struggle with the Widor. That said, thank you for the intro to the piece and your explanations of the various problems of playing Mighty Compositions, on organs never built for the purpose. I liked your analogy of comparing a car with power steering, against one without. A friend of mine who plays a Piano Accordion for Morris Dancing, eventually had to stop playing it, due to age and infirmity; so he bought a smaller model, only to discover the limitations of not having a full-size keyboard and limited Bass Buttons. I have a similar problem with my late Grandfather's large Concertina - 81 keys - and the smaller one - 55 keys - I bought for convenience. Ne'er the twain shall meet. As for the Organ... a classic case of a Sheep in Wolf's clothing; or words to that effect. Russ. Havant.
Loving reading your comments and suggestions on this week’s video - please keep them coming! 🤩
I generally have about as much proper faith and religion in me as you'll find in a random bicycle horn... but there is just something about British cathedrals, large and small... even I feel a certain reverence in such places. Truly things of beauty. The British countryside is equally glorious in its own right.
This video literally moved me to tears not once, but _twice_ -- once, with the dedication from the officer's widow, and the other with the wonderful hymn at the end. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world, and thank you for showing us all these tiny cathedrals in the places people all-too-often forget unless they live there.
Try to listen everywhere having internet troubles right now
@@laserhawk64Superb comment 👍🛐❤
@@PortsladeBySea D'awww shucks lol
Thanks!
Hi Ben, please see my message below about (a) Trinity College, and (b) Oliver Latry.
In terms of the advice you requested...
The trick IMO is to have the palms of your hands much lower - about level with the key top when the key is pressed - and pull the key down using the same action as if you were closing your hand i.e. pull your finger tips towards the palms of your hands.
In addition - and I got this from concert pianist Danny Driver - with the Widor Toccata in particular, strike the keys like you are playing a Steinway grand! Do not keep your keys on the key surface! This prevents tension.
Never carry tension with this piece. A single wrong note tells you that you're carrying tension. If you don't realize this, then more tension will result as you worry about the wrong note!
I think this is what happened to you.
With these two fixes, I can now play this piece for hours without fatigue or tension.
I think your decision not to soldier on, and tough it out, was a very good one indeed!! 😃
A lesser man would never post a video showing themself struggling with something they are known to be good at.
It’s the honesty, the musings and little reflections that make you a star, and so relatable somehow x
❤❤beautiful hymn Ben heard Alex Jones sing it
I saw it immediately. His gene keys are... important in understanding his true motivations. Mordrid... be still..........................!
Very true. That’s why we love Ben Maton, his films and music 🛐🎹👍
@@Knappa22 yes!
Well said!!
Sunday evenings would never be the same without this programme. Always so relaxingly beautiful as well as educational.
I’m very humbled. Thank you
Couldn’t agree more! Educational, entertaining and totally relaxing! 🇮🇪☘️To ben and all, warmest greetings from Ireland.
Well said. These thoughts capture my own experience with this rare and delightful channel. The sensitivity and brilliance of Ben Maton are matched by his restraint in expressing the frustration that this organ must have been to him. His mature response had no swearing or throwing of equipment. BRAVO!
@@coreygrua3271None that we saw, anyway. 😉
What a dreadful tale of woe; an organ with gold pipes getting the better of our Hero! However, Ben is a ‘lovely guy’ and we, the 34,000 members of his TH-cam family, are very fortunate to enjoy so much of Ben’s loveliness, despite his inability to play a faulty organ.
Ben, your bloopers were just a little insight into the very hard work of organ playing. Thanks for just being you.
the old saying _"A bad workman...etc" would never apply to you my friend_ you are a splendid ambassador for the instrument.
Thank you Steve. :)
Ben is not a workman, he is a master musician 🎹🎶🥳
@@SalisburyOrganist but that still remains one of the things I love about your sense of humor! 😻💛🙏👍🕯
Lol. I love the “rowdy string players”
Even a frustrated and frazzled Ben is calmer than I at my best, lol. Bless you, Ben. I know exactly where you're coming from. As a professional pianist, 66 years old, who grew up accustomed to playing on classic Baldwins and Steinways, quite often I had to play "lesser" instruments that almost always had heavier actions. Pieces that I had played a hundred times suddenly became endurance marathons that left my fingers shaking and my playing mistake riddled. I imagine for an organist it would be even worse. Strike this one up to experience. Bless you for your humility and honesty. We love you.
Ben, as others have commented, I really enjoyed today's journey -- the story of this humble church, highlighting its organ, and attempting Widor's Tocatta no less. Alas, we join you not for the perfect recital but for the soulful glimpse into what is good and sacred in our topsy-turvy world. Thank you, and continued best wishes. A proud supporter from Northern California.
Thank you David. I’ll be back, soon hopefully, but at least it shows everyone the challenges we face sometimes.
Ben, I have watched several of your videos...this one is probably the most inspirational!
I remember the preparation for my son's wedding, the presiding Vicar just happened be the Dean for West Staffordshire; drafted in as the resident vicar had rapididly left the parish with the funds.
His words were ' I have a good organist!
How did you manage to play the pedal board in 'your trackies'!
You have commented several times on narrow foot pedal wells. Your shoes look rather chunky, have you considered something slimmer like dance pumps? Another item to load onto the trolley.
Was played by an organist friend at our wedding as we walked out. Asked him to have some fun with it and halfway down the aisle it morphed into The Magic Roundabout theme tune.
I haven’t mastered that yet..!
@SalisburyOrganist Widor toccata was a bit easier to play as it has 3 manuals. The organ was originally made by Joseph Walker 1856
J.W. Walker & Sons 1879
J.W. Walker & Sons 1934
Nicholson & Co. 2001
I watched this video the morning before Election Day in the US. It’s a very nervous time here. People are on edge. This video has calmed me greatly, Ben - your narrating voice, the beautiful church and organ, your humility and humanity, and the hymn at the end all worked to calm me. I am most grateful. Thank you.
That’s a lovely compliment and I’m glad it’s helped you out. I’ll keep them calm and reflective!!
@@SalisburyOrganist no, please just be yourself!!
You are loved, but don’t get a swelled head. The chapel doors are for the humble of heart.
I love you too, young friend!
I am sure that all the French cathedral organists would say, "bon courage!"
My heat sank as you shared your story of the 120 laughing boys😢. I’m so glad that you didn’t let that moment discourage you from pursuing your dreams! The world is a far better place due to your talents 😊!
They are not laughing now, are they
As a teenager, many years ago, I had to play for an evening service during "youth week". I was so nervous that instead of playing the introduction to a certain hymn, I played it all the way through. Afterwards, my teacher remarked that he thought it was appropriate. I hadn't even realized that I had done it.
You have a beautiful soul, Ben. Thank you for your endeavors which have greatly enriched my soul.
a bad workman, I am CERTAIN You are NOT! How refreshing for You to give us what is really going on
First hand experience today from “Tales from the Organ Bench”… Planning for a couple weeks for a choir concert which I was accompanying today with a small chamber ensemble, harp and timpani. During the night last night the church’s boiler died, plummeting the church into cold. The ultimate decision was to move the concert a couple blocks over to another large church. The singers brought their music stands and sang with their same voices. The chamber musicians brought their usual personal instruments. Me, however, had to spend 2 hours after my church service across town re-registering all 70-some presets throughout the program for the different organ… going from a 1920’s romantic(ish) organ to a 1960’s Quasi-Neo-Baroque organ with a newer digital console. There were two train wrecks from me on this program, but otherwise it went mostly ok. The primary role of the organist is similar to the Borg motto: adapt.
I have played the Widor on a little 5-rank tracker with 2 octaves of pedals: I’ve played it on a 4-manual, 80+ rank Baroque organ, and I’ve played it on digital and pipe organs of all sizes. And each time you play it, it is different.
So in terms of this video, you are showing what every organist has to deal with since the instruments they play are not their own!
@@jdcorganist Rodney Jantzi played it on a reed organ.
This was delightful. So many social media producers portray a perfect, often unattainable image of themselves. Thank you for being so honest, it added depth to your story. A true professional.
I try to make them as close to the 'real me’ as possible!
Totally agree with that sentiment.
'Be still for the presence of the Lord'... sublime. Thank you Ben.
Thanks Karen 😊
I second that Karen - beautiful sentiment set to a beautiful tune and beautifully played with great feeling. Thank you, Ben.
This beautiful autumn Sunday, I'm reminded of the words "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."
Sorry to sound pedantic, but here goes. The psalmist knew that, in Biblical times, the people lived in the valleys, keeping a weather eye on the hills which gave cover to both two and four legged predators. If,as some translations have it, you insert a full stop and a question mark, the whole thing makes sense, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the LORD……..”
What a perfect way to close this video, "Be still ..." ! We all need this when we are confronted by adversity. Beautiful peace.❤
Your honesty is above honor. Keep bringing me so much joy in your videos, you are a wonderful gift of art and music to our civilization which is so fragile.
Well played and well done Ben. Liked the brief history of that little church, and glad to see that it has been restored and kept in good repair. Cheers, dude.
Will you take another stab at playing that organ? At least you don't have to hand pump it in order to get it to perform!
"Rowdy string players". Got that right.
Perfection was only given to one man. The rest of us muddle through, mistakes and all.
Ben! Your weekly presentation is the highlight of my and literally thousands of other's, week! Keep it up, you're an asset to your fellow countrymen and like-minded souls all over the world!
Pleasure, thank you
Very instructional being a non organist, but fanatical lover of church organ music.
Love that- thank you
Ben, I love your integrity and honesty! What joy you bring to us! Thank YOU! In tears listening to your last hymn in this video,, for me,....those stops immediately put me into a state of worship to Almighty God.
You are so welcome!
@@SalisburyOrganist :)
God bless you mightily Ben.
Love coming home on a sabbath evening to watch your video.
They are always a blessing to watch, but tonight's is just amazing.
The history, your narrative, the music, and your honest comments on playing Widor on a village organ were such a blessing.
May I ask, suggest maybe even request that you would play some time my favourite hymn, And Can it Be that I Should Gain.
Many thanks and best regards from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Another delightful time with Ben!
Nothing detracts from your amazing organ playing. As a non-musician I am in awe every time!
Your offerings are piercingly beautiful . 😊 ❤
Honestly, tears come to my eyes when I see the quiet English countryside, ancient churches, and hear hymns played on country pipe organs. It takes me back to England where I visited in Oct. '24. I soul is quieted and I can pray. Thank you, Ben. I increased my monthly donation because your work is so meaningful. Melita Green
What a way to end the video with the hymn "Be still for the presence of the Lord is here." Just over a month ago, the same hymn was played at the opening of our evening young people's service and I've not recovered from its earworm. How we need that stillness in our heart today in the midst of this troubled world. Thank you Ben.
My pleasure - thanks for watching :)
Cloudy days rest the eyes so softly. I loved the scenery video during the final hymn. 🕯
Many thanks!
Always a real pleasure and perfect ending to a Sunday to see and hear Ben
Grateful thanks from Scotland for all your work and dedication which is second to none 🙏
Wow, Ben Maton is human!! Obviously another super video. The highlight of my week. 💜
You weren't defeated, Ben, you learned something. Its the greatest triumph of all. God bless you. You bring me close to my green and pleasant land every week, for I am so far away.
I did it once as the postlude when playing the service at what would be the American equivalent of a village church. On a small and old pipe organ. It came out crisp, clean, and vibrant! The congregation was quite moved and elated. And it confirmed to me that an instrument’s humble nature never need rob a congregation of great beauty.
"Be still for the presence of the Lord" was truly enjoyable to listen to and a most appropriate prompt for all of us to heed in these times. You made it a joy to experience a visit to St. Andrews Church. Thank you.
What an absolutely crazy coincidence - the first church service I ever played as an organist had Be Still for the Presence of the Lord as one of the hymns too!. I took up organ reasonably later than you, but almost 6 months into playing services and still happily going strong.
Love your channel!
Ben, take heart! I'm feel sure that Vidor's Toccata & Fugue would not have been composed if Vidor had to play on THAT organ...Again beautiful music! Thank you!
Every lesson is valuable , whether deemed a success or not , a lesson is learned , your ability to share your struggles and triumphs honestly gives us all encouragement to do likewise .
Widor’s Toccata and Be Still … imperfection and perfection … a lovely combination and contrast! I thought you’d like to know that before the busyness of the day I often start my morning Still Time with your Be Still. And if I need a boost later on, I click your red sock Lefebure Wely!
For Widor at the wedding, have a CD player and a big-ass speaker system hidden behind the organ, and mime it! Great video, well done.
Ah, that explains why you include that one! We used to sing it in the Episcopal church back in the 1980s and 90s, usually accompanied by guitar. Your treatment of it on the organ makes it even better.
What a wonderful tour today! Even the Widor did not detract from the quality of your work. Bravo, Ben! 👏🏻👏🏻🎹
I'm not an organist, but I play one on Sunday. (well, piano, mostly) Thank you for showing that adaptation to instruments is hard work. Going in and playing cold on an unfamiliar instrument. Many thanks for showing the aftermath of "And that's as many wrong notes as you'll ever hear on the Salisbury Organist's channel". Each week I look forward to video.
Thank you for the kyrie eleison in the background I loved it. Keep doing that and keep making these awesome videos.
You’re super kind to say that. Thank you
What I really like is you do not pretend you don't make mistakes. Musicians' humility is a rare virtue.
The words on that bench more than made up for your defeat by that organ.
Those words reminding you of such a beautiful piece of music that you were able to share at the end was so worth watching the entire video.
Thank you.
While Widor may have been a pain, your choice of Vaughan Williams as your hymn example was so heartwarming.
Even with the sticking note? Haha. Thank you, it’s a lovely hymn
Ben,I do know to thank you or what to say. I asked you a few weeks ago about you playing this. I wanted to here and watch you play this. I am so thrilled by you. It was far more then I had hoped for. Thank you Ben...
We'll be playing our twice yearly game of time travel here in the Flatlands. At 2 a.m. we turn our clocks back to 1 a.m., allowing us the luxury of an extra hour of sleep or insomnia depending on how Saturday night goes. Looking forward to seeing/hearing whatever's hidden behind that angelic face.
Where I live its Central Standard Time. We don’t change our clocks. We still have 24 hours in the day. I personally think it’s the only sensible thing to do!
@@lizwilliams14 I completely agree! I know that there might be something obvious that I'm missing, but I've never really understood the "benefits" of the time change ritual.
I admire you for trying that! My answer is always "No, it won't work, especially on a tracker with one keyboard". Then I steer them towards Mendelssohn... Once on a non-tracker, I agreed after a lot of persuasion, but kept my eye on the congregation as they left and after about 5 pages stuck in a final chord and stopped, with a silent apology offered to Charlie Mary, of course. Nobody moaned at me because they were all outside having their photos taken. 😁 Happy playing and well done for the great videos and all the extra info. Village churches, and organs, in the UK are a truly wonderful part of our heritage and history.
Thank you so much for playing "Be still for the presence of the Lord..." It brings back special memories of singing it in our choir In Welkom, South Africa. We were also blessed with a pipe organ. You have a special gift Ben.
Your Widor was far better than any of my attempts in my years as an organist. My little legs always found it hard to play the octave pedal leaps without my bum sliding off the organ stool!
WONDERFUL - I played for 16 years on the wonderful 2M Nicholson Tracker action Organ at St Mark's Bilton near Rugby - with the Widor at weddings, I would never couple Swell to Great till the last 2 or 3 bars, it is so stiff coupled. I entirely agree with your comments about Introduction practice for Hymns but you demonstrated that you are a real expert - especially the section at the end - WELL DONE
Ben. I love watching and listening to your videos. My mother learned to play piano while growing up in a Scottish coal mining village in the 1930s and early1940s. She eventually became organist at our family church on Vancouver Island. Sadly she passed away age 48 in 1980. It is a cherished memory I have of her. She was always up for a challenge when she heard a tune she liked. Carry on playing, Ben. I bought you 10 coffees - and I don't even drink coffees.
He really uses 2 of my favorite mottos: "adapt, improvise, overcome" and " do what you can with what you have, where you are". (Organ 1, Ben 1. A draw). From Chicago, U.S.A.
I'm only starting to learn the organ at 69 years old it's so refreshing to see that such a professional guy as yourself can loose it at times
Ah, Ben. What a marvelous video!
Not all outcomes are great, but it is through these trials that make us stronger, knowledgeable, and experienced.
When I was in high school, the choral director asked me to accompany the girls' ensemble that the accompanist could sing with them.
The piece did not have a good ending, so she hand wrote the new ending - about two pages worth. I practiced and practiced. The piece was "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella."
I was nervous that day, having already sung in the choir and played bassoon with the band. I think there were about 2,000 students assembled in the gymnasium for this Christmas program.
As I was beginning the piece, I heard a voice behind me urging me to play at a faster tempo. A tempo much faster than I had done in rehearsal. Then, I came to the handwritten portion. Sheer and utter panic. Honestly, that is all I can remember.
Thanks for two things: a) for showing the small churches and organs and reflecting on the things, small organists have to deal with every day in contrast to the big cathedral organs everyone wants to play - and b) this story and video really helped me to calm down after an exhausting day and find back to inner strength and confidence. That was especially helpful today ❤😊
Beautiful music as always Ben especially the Vaughn Williams. Love everything RVW.
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
rarely do i have time to be so early to a video, this was so lovely to watch. if only every village church still had an organist. so many churches i think of, especially around my parts in london & st albans where i’ve never heard the organ being played even though it’s right there.
The sooner one internalizes the idea that everyone makes many mistakes every day, the more relaxed and fun life becomes. Just life as usual. Better enjoy the ride!
Thanks
In 1961 Francis Jackson,organist of York Minster Cathedral,played Charles-Marie Widor’s Toccata Symphony No.5 at the Duke and Duchess’s of Kent wedding.Before then it wasn’t widely played for wedding ceremonies.
I like the fact that you’re willing to share these challenges with us which shows even better character.Thanks
You should be awarded a B for Bravery for even attempting that stunt on that organ! I knew as soon as you began that that creaky old tracker action might defeat you, but you soldiered on. Such good fun teasing new tricks out of such an old dog of an organ!
Dear little organ could well have shed tears of joy after Ben had left. "I'm so happy, I've always wanted to have that played on me and no one else has dared. Now I feel I have reached my peak and can stare all those big organs in the eye and say ever so casually - oh yes, indeed, Ben Maton, the Salisbury Organist, he's quite famous actually. Yes, on You Tube, I'm recorded for posterity having it played on me. Thousands of views, hundreds of Likes".
Love your comment. Me exactly!
Its always great to see behind the scenes as it were, editing is great at making someone sound perfect every time, as we all know it takes practice to not make a mistake, but when you get through a piece of music for the first time, fault free, its just a wonderful thing. If only i was anywhere near as good as you. Im an home organ player on my Technics GA3 organ and since ive been watching you ive gone back to playing church music which was always my first love but seemed to move away from over the years. ive purchased a few classic & Hymn music books and im really enjoying getting to grips with the likes of Jupiter, Ave Maria and Nimrod, although nimrod has been getting me tied up in knots trying to get through it without mistakes, which ive not yet managed, even playing it really slow. Keep up the good work its a pleasure tuning in. ps ive sent you a few quid to help pay for your Cheese n Pickle Sandwich's😄.
Fantastic. Thank you David 😀
@@SalisburyOrganist Hi Ben, what sound recording equipment do you have, im struggling to record the bass on the organ, my camcorder will pick up the main organ but there's no bass even if i record direct from the headphone jack point, it would be great if you could do a video showing what equipment you have and may be even showing abit about your editing.
Ben, I've been in a very dark place since the presidential election results on Wednesday. I found this video today and it was deeply comforting. Thank you. There is goodness and beauty and it's not far away.
Such history you're surrounded by there. Another great Sunday video and a fine assistant Sophia is.Thanks for all you do and cheers to Billy, as well.
Churches like this one are dotted all over England and all as beautiful, ancient and full of history and music. I defy anyone who cannot love that for what it is and all it represents.
Lovely rendition on this quite simple church organ. I am not a musician at all but really enjoyed the talk and the music. No matter how strenuous. 🤣
Just love how you left the mistakes in. Just so real and appreciate it all the more. Just the same way I often play it from memory. Keep going sir!!!
There is so much to enjoy on every level in your content: the music, the sacred places, the history, the appreciation of nature and stillness. Thank you :-)
Glad you enjoy it. More to come!
I wonder if he removed his epaulettes when he put on a nightgown. Fresh tears indeed.
Wonderful….Be still for the presence of the Lord is one of my favourites, loved learning the technical side of the organs…hope we learn to be still this week …shalom
Ben you are so amazing Love listening to your organ playing🙏👏
That organ looks lovely painted white. 🤗
Thank you Ben for your videos which are unique in character. Your appreciation of those beautiful villages and the ancient churches is just wonderful.
Thanks Robert- a pleasure
Greetings Ben, Lovely first video to discover you by. Ahhh.... the C. M. Widor "Toccata"! 🥳 Lovely!
I have been a pianist since beginning very young... maybe 4 or 5 years old. I got married 26 years ago.... working to support family.... music has taken a back seat. Then just over 18 years ago, I was supposed to be dead already. Brain tumor. Anyway.... the year before I met my wife, I recorded a CD. I have that to look back, remember, me at my peak.
In the year 2000, while visiting my wife's high school bench mate, she half Latvian, I did a 23 1/2 hour whirlwind tour of Riga, Latvia. I was on a pipe organ email list with a chap who's Church was directly across the street from the Riga Dom. So I believe he had tipped me off to the concert while we would be in Estonia. I went down on the bus, my wife's friend met me, I changed into concert clothes in the Riga bus station, which still had Soviet era squat potties.... (holes in the floor)... so I had to be careful not to step in the hole while changing into dress clothes. The concert was absolutely lovely. The Riga Dom has the second largest tracker organ in the world.... an E. F. Walker. 25 ranks of pipes under swell on the first balcony, and the rest of the ranks up on the second balcony, literally strapped to the organist's back at the console. Some of the tracker levers are I believe 25 meters long. There are Barker Levers to assist in playing the organ. Lovely.... that organ has similar touch to my 1927 Steinway model L grand piano! I met up with my Latvian organ friend at the concert.... first time meeting him.... and he arranged a organ tour by someone from the Riga Dom. We were shown and explained the console. As the guide was stepping up from the console, I noticed he latched in one of the alphabetically labeled pedals. He latched in the Tuti!!! Naughty, naughty, naughty!!! He was hoping I would throw my hands on the keyboard and get blown off the bench! Nay! I unlatched it. I and my Latvian organ friend selected some stops, and I began into hymn "As the Deer" from memory. Oooohhhhh..... that never sounded better! For the "B part" I asked my friend to quickly draw some trumpet reeds, and I seem to recall he indicated to switch manuals I was playing the melody on. AWESOME transition! Then I went back to the original keyboard when the "A part" came back. And he had selected some nice rumbley bass ranks. The walls were gently shaking. I do not think that hymn ever sounded better!
Now, you ask how I knew how to use organ pedals, me being a pianist. I had assisted with organ playing at Church two years. And I have always had a keen interest in Theater Pipe Organs.... Cinema Organs in your part of the world. As Church organist.... the Church had a 1970's electronic with duel Leslie speakers. My favorite memory of that organ was playing "Mary's Boy Child" for the Christmas service. I kicked the Leslie speakers in for that piece.... got a nice 1960's Roller Rink feel to it.... and the congregation was swaying side to side. 😎
So yes, I was not totally green / first time dealing with the concept of having more than three pedals! 😋
So other piece suggestions:
"Basso ostinato" by Peeter Süda. Best performance I know of is on CD Estnische Orgellandschaft 1 performed by Aare-Paul Lattik.
My first trip to Estonia (my wife's homeland) we went to an organ concert in Tallinn at Dom Kirik. While there for the concert we purchased a CD of Baltic organ music.... tracks on that Tallinn Dom Kirik, the Riga Dom which is how I found out about that organ, and the third in Lithuania. Many Estonian organists record this next suggestion:
"Benedictus" Op 59 Nr 9 by Max Reger
The piece on that CD played on the Riga Dom organ.... wow!!! (And not something for a small organ!)
"Via Dolorosa" by Aivars Kalejs
And the composer composed the piece on/for that organ, and he recorded the Latvian tracks.
Upon my first hearing of the piece, I immediately subtitled the piece "Prelude to the entrance of God". Very much music for Biblical account (Exodus 33) of God allowing Moses to see His back, while God covered / protected Moses as He passed by.
There is a Finnish hymn which is very special to me....
"Be Still, My Soul" which is the middle part of Jean Sibelius's "Finlandia". Ginny Owen's selected that for the last track of her "Something More" album. I have selected that to be the closing hymn of my Celebration of Life service, when ever that happens to be. It was sutable for Ginny to end her CD wtih.... it will be suitable to close my service with. Finland is not far distance from Estonia.... my adopted homeland. As for Jean Sibelius's "Finlandia", organist Kalevi Kiviniemi published to TH-cam a brilliant performance of the piece on an organ in Tampere, Finland.
It was nice to make your acquaintance today. I have subscribed to your channel.
Well, you tried well, and therefore you can walk home with yout head held high. I am sure you will return and 'finish Widor off... You know that you can play that piece. Those ideas and hints you gave sound ample and comprehensible, thank you for them.
Special thanks also for quoting that 'Kyrie' from the Angles Mass, I can hardly remember when we sung it last time in a service! Greetings from a German leisure organist who is not fit for Widor's Toccata yet...
Great video, Ben, as always. Love the plainchant Missa De Angelis Kyrie arrangement
Thank you very much!
I wait for Ben's video every Sunday afternoon. It's become my Sunday afternoon coffee time after lunch. As I've said before, Ben is a treasure and an inspiration to every organist. After watching every episode it's hard to imagine Ben ever having trouble with a piece of music, fingering, pedaling, etc. When someone like Ben makes it look so easy, you know what an amazing and accomplished organist he is. Ben, how about BWV 721, Have Mercy On Me Oh Lord God? And by the way, I am envious of Sophia being able to hear Ben live. Thanks so much Ben!
BWV 721 perfect for the open diapason. Love that suggestion🤩
Thank you for these insightful videos. Always with a twist. I'd love to pay a visit to Salisbury one day (some travel from South Africa)😅
Thanks!
Thanks Dudley!
With regard the Widor, and indeed similar works being played on smaller village organs, I'm very much for it - I've personally had success in using abridged and simplified versions of the original works when the need arises.
If carefully chosen can offer a very clean and respectable performance.
A particular favourite is Aubrey Tuckers abridged and simplified version of the Widor, it just works seamlessly for me and as I say, is very clean sounding on a small instrument, but still retaining a sense of skilfulness and grandeur - it's not disappointed a bride & groom yet!
Loved this video from St Martins Dornford. Having accompanied at school as pupil and teacher for years and NEVER got over the nervousness I empathised with the stopping as you played that lovely hymn..Be Still for the presence of the Lird and also all the hesitations in the marvellous Toccata. We musicians are all humans.😂 Thank you for the wonderful music and humour Ben. ..Di Wright. Zimbabwe.
So honest Ben. A few years ago I had the very same experience. An old tracker nearly crippled my fingers but I got there, bruised but unbloodied.
Equal to David Attenborough is our generous maestro Ben. Such awe inspiring, wonderful and might I say - heavenly content. 😊😉
The last tune - so beautiful, played magnificently. Thank you so much.
I love it when you show your challenges and mistakes! It actually encourages us to expect the same in our work, whatever it is, and to find ways to persevere and overcome. I look forward to your return to this beautiful place! Meanwhile, I'll be looking for more benches.
"All experience is good experience, even if it's bad experience."
Bad experiences are often the most useful I find!!
I really liked this episode! Your introduction was very interesting. I much prefer to hear about small organs than huge, five manuals designs. I can relate to them. Yes, I can play a church organ but it is a two manuals design. What I have at home for practice (I am just transitioning from piano to organ) consists of a stage piano and a MIDI controller keyboard (I mostly play on one only) plus a pedal board with only 17 tones. I use Grand Orgue and get sample sets of small organs only.
I really enjoyed this video!
Thank you.
Michael
Dear Ben, Hailing from the USA, this Anglophile tremendously enjoyed your interesting program. I studied organ but never amounted to anything. I love organ music and I have written a few pieces. I wish you success in this field and hope easy-to-manage organs would meet you for many years. I am at odds with PayPal but plan to drop you a check when I am next in merry olde England. Love in organism.
Great to see you freed up in your presentation by having a helper filming, really added something. Lovely too to have such an honest performance, warts and all! Enjoyable and informative as always. Thanks Ben
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ben - been there, done that, kept going! You are an inspiration. Thank you.
One day when you take us to a church with a three-manual (or more) pipe organ, give us Henri Mulet’s “Thou Art the Rock.” It is what Virgil Fox called a”barn burner” and always makes the hair on your neck stand straight!
Great seeing Ms. Sophie with you again and helping with the videography.
In this case knowing how involved you had more heart than I would keep up the good work I enjoy the organs you have found
Thanks for your thorough explanations. As one of those pianists who have never touched an organ, this was very interesting and informative. Looking forward to your next visit to this church organ!
Delighted, thanks. I’ll keep the organ demos coming
I am thankful that you continue to be unbowed by your challenges and setbacks. Performance is always a tightrope walk, which sometimes owes its flavour to failing keys or in my case, vocal chords
Thanks Ben. That was very enjoyable, especially watching you struggle with the Widor. That said, thank you for the intro to the piece and your explanations of the various problems of playing Mighty Compositions, on organs never built for the purpose. I liked your analogy of comparing a car with power steering, against one without. A friend of mine who plays a Piano Accordion for Morris Dancing, eventually had to stop playing it, due to age and infirmity; so he bought a smaller model, only to discover the limitations of not having a full-size keyboard and limited Bass Buttons. I have a similar problem with my late Grandfather's large Concertina - 81 keys - and the smaller one - 55 keys - I bought for convenience. Ne'er the twain shall meet. As for the Organ... a classic case of a Sheep in Wolf's clothing; or words to that effect. Russ. Havant.