The little fugue in G minor was one of the first baroque pieces I ever had a good listen to. My childhood best friend, a pianist, played it for me on his piano when we were about 15 years old. Now, 54 years later, baroque is my favorite, and Bach, of course the king of baroque. Hearing the little fugue always takes me back to my youth and the quiet joy of friendship.
It’s early Monday morning here in Minnesota. A new day. A new week. I generally start them with your latest, Ben. Today was special. An ancient redundant church in a vibrant location. It was especially moving. As you played the Zimmer, I wasn’t hearing just the voice of the organ, I was hearing the voice of the building. A voice that was both pleading and demanding. It said, “I’m still here. Hear me roar! Hear me comment on the world about me.” Relevance in sight and sound. My week now begins again with inspiration and insight fueled by your explorations. Many sincere thanks.
Well.. if Anna Lapwood can play Hans Zimmer I’m sure you can Ben. I’m not sure what part of this wonderful video was more emotional for me, you bringing this wonderful organ to my attention, the fugue, I really don’t know. All I can say is you brought me to tears. For a grown man, that’s hard to admit. But there’s so much to love in this video, particularly the care and attention you give to making it a complete story. And yes, I’d love a longer recital. Thank you Ben.
It makes me sad that an organ can be burned, vandalised and used to store Tupperware. I am amazed that it still can create such beautiful sounds. I think the pork and pickle really fired up your playing! Love your work.
The roof above the organ in our church fell down on the organ twice causing some damage but the main damage came from builders fixing the roof. There was also a small electrical fire by the console but luckily nothing was damaged. It seems that so many organs fall to the fate of fire and/or vandalism.
Despite all the adversities, this organ has an amazing sound. It has a brightness you do not hear too often. Thank you for bringing it to us. And thank you to Hans Zimmer for allowing you to play his First Step.
I can't agree because - Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. - Exodus 20:4-6 (KJV)
I am so glad to see that the Historic Church of St. Thomas the Martyr, which is surrounded by newer buildings, is still used as a Church. Sad though to see that people put garbage inside the Organ. Yes Ben, the Organ hasn't lost its soul. I pray that Organists play this Organ during their Services. Thank you and God Bless you.
After all the misfortunes this church has had ... a little more love from us all could help it heal and also give it some well needed publicity ! So yes please, Ben !
Ben, I’ve listened to nearly all of your episodes, and I think this one may have been the best in terms of story, organ sound, and quality of recording. Truly magnificent. Thank you, Ben!
yes my friend but one needs to hear the deeper message that the young can be trained to hear the spirituality of their culture, throw in a few vikings Herward the wake and a nasty history from 1066 and watch the young take it up
Yes please Ben, your skill, plus a beautifully sounding organ would make for a wonderful recital. I once played woodwind instruments as a musician in HM army but age hasn't been helpful to my poor old fingers so listening to an accomplished musician gives me much pleasure. Thank you.
My weekly treat that I so look forward to and today was an absolute delight to visit the city of pubs and churches. The pieces you played Ben were as always a tonic to the soul. Thank you!
Yes, please, Mr. Ben Maton, what a pleasure it would be for us, your lisners if you could have a chance to perform an entire concert with the organ. Be blessed Ben.
If only I was closer> You are providing a valuable service to all those that came before. Composers and organ builders alike. Thank you for your efforts.
Dear Ben- the acoustic in that church is absolutely epic and sublime and the organ seems to be well up to the job ...please please do a much longer selection of music form this space... and add the modern touch...its another dynamic..why dont you organise an actual concert there... you might be surprised when we all turn up.....😊😊
On the thought of a longer concert in Bristol, some wonderful Christian people are connected to this city like George Whitfield, John and Charles Wesley prolific hymnwriters and Hannah More and George Muller. Some inspiration for some wonderful hymnsong.
Many fugues by other composers sound good despite being fugues. Fugues by Bach sound good because they are fugues. His "Little" fugue in G Minor is one of the greatest fugues of all time. This was a beautiful performance of that masterpiece. The whole program today was full of soul; celestial harmonies.
The acoustics, fabulous, the Bach, sublime, as you'd expect, your playing and your ability to draw us into your wonderful world of organs and music and pork sandwiches, unrivalled! Thank you Ben.... And, yes, of course, a longer concert with this splendid organ....
The Lord must love music as beautiful as this to be played in these churches I think heaven is full of these wonderful and beautiful compassions man of which were written for his glory these are short and a longer playing time would be great but it’s the free time to listen to them if longer
I would love to hear more of this organ with you at the console. I’ve followed you for quite a long time and I am in awe of you as an organist and an obviously committed Christian and lovely guy. I have to say you look younger and more handsome without the beard. You also used to look nice when you were wearing a white shirt and tie.
How truly lovely. Such a grand old instrument. And to start with the Bach fugue. I'm afraid my poor old hands have become much too arthritic but my mind and my heart plays on with your performance. A blessing for you.
Yes, yes, yes! I love watching Ben’s weekly TH-cam videos and listening to the wonderful music he creates on the ancient organs in the beautiful old churches and chapels which he visits 🎹🎶🛐🥳
Looking forward to another recital. This church organ is so vibrant it surely deserves to be heard again! Beautiful acoustics as well. A delight for your listeners! Can’t get enough of Bach and Handel! lol! Bring it on my friend!❤ Blessings!❤
Lovely 😊 video again Ben loved the st Thomas organ and I hope you can go again and thank you for sharing your story’s about the church’s you visit you always make it so special bless you
What a beautiful sound this organ has. And yes of course to more music from this church. And so nice that it is still used by the Romanian community as a working church.
I enjoyed hearing the sort of sound that Handel might have heard. To me, it's a connection to the time in which some of my traceable ancestors lived. Equally important is the experience of new music: though what I most often listen to is 400 years old or more, some new writings offer an "AHA!" moment. Your choice in the last piece you played is one such case in point. Without knowing the story behind it, and only having heard it played by two other musicians (you can guess at least one of them), I come away from listening to your rendition feeling that you have contributed something of equal value. Your delicate and sensitive approach is as powerful as hearing the same piece played on a massive instrument--yet different and utterly legitimate in its difference. Great work, much appreciated.
The Zimmer piece is wonderfully mysterious, and i enjoyed hearing you play it. Please perform a longer recital--- i'd be thrilled with a whole recital of Handel! 🥺 Please?
Precioso reportaje Ben con el nos trasladas a esta preciosa iglesia dedicada a Santo Tomás, bien restaurada y utilizada con buen criterio ecuménico por la Iglesia Ortodoxa Rumana para sus actos litúrgicos también para eventos culturales creo que es un acierto, veo este edificio con cierto aire arquitectónico clasicista con aires de arquitectura renacentista, las piezas elegidas para este magnífico órgano clásico de precioso sonido y aires de grandeza, gracias Ben por tu sensibilidad por el arte sonoro del emperador de los instrumentos. Un abrazo virtual para tí y los seguidores de tu canal desde el éste del Reino de España.😊❤
Thank you so much for playing the Handel piece. I sang this piece in my vocal recital in college and haven't heard it since! (50 years). It's such a pretty tune. And yes, please a recital from here would be lovely!!!
Hey! Ben I've been watching your videos for more than a year now and this episode in particular was the most inspiring one. Please know that you're doing a really great job by making these video films, by showing us around village churches and their history which holds such an impeccable beauty & charm within its walls, to now showing the beauty of Bristol. I really want you to show us the churches🏛️ and pipe organs🎹 which are beyond British Isles 😊
What a gorgeous sweet instrument!! Such beautiful playing, Ben. Your playing, artistry and commentary are superb. You have a beautiful and eloquent speaking voice...very calming and soothing, indeed. One would never tire listening to your voice.
Yes, dear Ben Maton, could we please have more music from the organ that was baptized by fire and rose from the dead and was reborn? I think it sounds wonderful.
Loved this program, Ben! Please return to St Thomas the Martyr for a longer program. The acoustic in St Thomas is very favorable to the organ you featured today. I agree, Interstellar is well-suited to the organ! Enjoy the wind on your face! 🙂
Hello Ben, Phil Hill from the US. I've followed and written on your site here before, I love history and love to see it preserved and love what you're doing to preserve it! I just listened to a podcast from--I can't quite remember the name of it--the "organ...something. Dedicated to the preservation and history of old Organs in Scotland. Very distressed to learn that around the reformation in Scotland, not only Kilts, Bagpipes, language being banned but also the playing of the organs were banned around this time period! What a shame. Also, I'm very distressed to hear that the Presbyterian officials have decided to close all their churches up in Scotland. They've recently started and this closure is underway as we speak. The organs, of course, are going to be left in silence to rot apparently as well. Do you have or can you find out any information as to WHY these churches are going to be closed? Is it lack of attendance, or people quit believing or just don't want to attend Presbyterian churches anymore. Is Christianity up there dying? Just wondering if you've caught wind of this and your thoughts.
I got goosebumps when you started the fugue. Blessings to whoever spearheaded the restoration after the fire and vandalism. It tickles me to look at the little bench and think "Handel sat here." 😊 And finally, the "Ode To aAFriendless Church" is a beautiful piece. I hope to hear all of it on another of your videos soon.
Ben you capture the whole essence of this organ, the church building, it's history, and the music from this remarkable organ! I view your TH-cam postings with great interest from over here in America and find myself so transported with your remarkable talent and respect for history which you convey so beautifully and professionally! I have come to respect and deeply appreciate your playing, love for the organ and it's music, and the church buildings which provide the setting for your playing and narration! Your narration skill is so remarkable and pleasant to listen to! Hopefully you will provide another video of your playing on this fascinating organ. It's restoration is wonderful! I hope to see that beautiful beard of yours reappear in due time! It was so becoming to you and looked so great with your full head of hair!
The restoration of the organ at St Thomas the Martyr is celebrated by Where’er you walk from Handel’s opera Semele played by Ben, thankfully no longer looking like Rasputin. Today I heard another organ much admired by Handel with sharp keys white and other keys black, with a chimney flute stop, very different from Ben’s beloved open diapason.
Well Ben. That was really wonderful. I loved every second. Even the racket of the city reminded me that I am happy I don’t have to listen to it very often. That church is lucky that it has been rescued. Maybe if you play there more frequently, someone will throw all that junk out. The music was perfect. I will take as much of it as you offer. And I’m glad we have the old you back too! Thanks for your wishes for summer. My younger son and my granddaughter are coming for supper. It’s 13 degrees so I doubt we will be eating outside.
Meanwhile, in NW Ohio, the prediction is for 7 days in a row of heat index readings of 105 F. (40.5 Celsius). Remind me to revise my will to include Ben and Friends of Friendless Churches.) 😓 😸
@@lizwilliams14 There's just no end to the weather tricks we're seeing of late. What's next here? I'm hoping it's "only" cicadas. (Although I confess to wanting to hear them just once, since I've read that they can reach 100 db!)
Beautiful sounding organ, you mentioned its a tracker, I'm in California and the oldest pipe organ on the west coast is in St Pauls Episcopal church in Sacramento CA. The previous organ blower blew up one early Sunday morning back about 1915 and they bought a 1870ish tracker out of Philadelphia and installed it in the church. Its also a very nice sounding pipe organ
Loving the history that you obviously spend time researching for these videos. And, yes, please, a longer recital. And as someone else requested, some baroque, please, and thanks.
Wonderful! I played that instrument in 1983 when it, and the church were in a bad way. I’m delighted to hear it in such good shape in your hands. I took on the displaced church choir in 1983 (renamed The St Thomas Singers) in their new home at Cotham Church where I was organ scholar. I wonder if they are still going! I enjoyed the Interstellar piece - it’s quite the thing at the moment.
That is a beautifully played Bach Prelude, Ben! That organ does it justice. The sound of those pipes shimmers with a brilliance but oh so sweet! Thank you for taking me on such a wonderful journey of these historic churches and organs. Bless you!
Yes Please,Ben, to a longer concert from this church! What a waste of a nice Organ if it cannot be played regularly!
What a lovely church. Yes please do a longer concert there - such a lovely instrument. (and such a fine organist)
A beautiful sounding organ given its tragic past. How beautiful !!❤
YES! I would love to see a longer recital at St. Thomas the Martyr. Beautiful playing, as always. TY!
The little fugue in G minor was one of the first baroque pieces I ever had a good listen to. My childhood best friend, a pianist, played it for me on his piano when we were about 15 years old. Now, 54 years later, baroque is my favorite, and Bach, of course the king of baroque. Hearing the little fugue always takes me back to my youth and the quiet joy of friendship.
Thank you Ben for investing your time to show us all this beautiful organs and historic churches.
It’s early Monday morning here in Minnesota. A new day. A new week. I generally start them with your latest, Ben. Today was special. An ancient redundant church in a vibrant location. It was especially moving. As you played the Zimmer, I wasn’t hearing just the voice of the organ, I was hearing the voice of the building. A voice that was both pleading and demanding. It said, “I’m still here. Hear me roar! Hear me comment on the world about me.” Relevance in sight and sound. My week now begins again with inspiration and insight fueled by your explorations. Many sincere thanks.
This organ deserves to be heard more. Please bring us a complete recital. Thank you as always for your excellent work.
The Little Fugue in G minor is one of my all time favorite pieces for organ.
All three pieces you played were amazing! I can’t thank you enough!
Lovely rendition of the Zimmer piece. This building warrants an audience. What character
Thank you, Ben, for your thoughtful comments and wonderful playing ability as demonstrated today.
Well.. if Anna Lapwood can play Hans Zimmer I’m sure you can Ben. I’m not sure what part of this wonderful video was more emotional for me, you bringing this wonderful organ to my attention, the fugue, I really don’t know. All I can say is you brought me to tears. For a grown man, that’s hard to admit. But there’s so much to love in this video, particularly the care and attention you give to making it a complete story. And yes, I’d love a longer recital. Thank you Ben.
Yes, please do a complete recital on this organ. Thank you for all of your music. Be blessed, as you bless others
It makes me sad that an organ can be burned, vandalised and used to store Tupperware. I am amazed that it still can create such beautiful sounds. I think the pork and pickle really fired up your playing! Love your work.
The roof above the organ in our church fell down on the organ twice causing some damage but the main damage came from builders fixing the roof. There was also a small electrical fire by the console but luckily nothing was damaged. It seems that so many organs fall to the fate of fire and/or vandalism.
Despite all the adversities, this organ has an amazing sound. It has a brightness you do not hear too often. Thank you for bringing it to us. And thank you to Hans Zimmer for allowing you to play his First Step.
Its good to know that this church is being used by Romanian Orthodox Catholics. The organ has a beautiful sound.
I can't agree because - Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
- Exodus 20:4-6 (KJV)
I am so glad to see that the Historic Church of St. Thomas the Martyr, which is surrounded by newer buildings, is still used as a Church. Sad though to see that people put garbage inside the Organ. Yes Ben, the Organ hasn't lost its soul. I pray that Organists play this Organ during their Services. Thank you and God Bless you.
After all the misfortunes this church has had ... a little more love from us all could help it heal and also give it some well needed publicity ! So yes please, Ben !
Please give us a longer concert at St Thomas....beautiful music again today. Thank you & Blessings.
Beautiful church and organ. I am Orthodox.
What a sweet young men and so informed...in music and literature. You give soul to all these amazing instruments you have shared with us! Cheers!
Thank you :)
One of my favourite pieces by Bach, beautifully played, and yes please to a longer recital
This is one of the best organs (if not the best organ) that you have played on. Yes, a longer video on this organ would be nice.
Ben, I’ve listened to nearly all of your episodes, and I think this one may have been the best in terms of story, organ sound, and quality of recording. Truly magnificent. Thank you, Ben!
You’re welcome ☺️
Yes, please do a longer concert from the same Bristol church. The acoustics were lovely, especially with the Bach piece.
It's sad that so many people are not going to church and these beautiful Cathedrals are silent.
yes my friend but one needs to hear the deeper message that the young can be trained to hear the spirituality of their culture, throw in a few vikings Herward the wake and a nasty history from 1066
and watch the young take it up
Please do the full length recital! This organ sounds wonderful, and your playing is immensely enjoyable.
Yes, do plan a longer concert on that splendid organ at St. Thomas the Martyr.
Love these videos, they are so relaxing, a great way to spend a rainy Sunday or any Sunday
Yes please Ben, your skill, plus a beautifully sounding organ would make for a wonderful recital. I once played woodwind instruments as a musician in HM army but age hasn't been helpful to my poor old fingers so listening to an accomplished musician gives me much pleasure. Thank you.
Beautiful organ, beautiful church. What more could we want.
My weekly treat that I so look forward to and today was an absolute delight to visit the city of pubs and churches. The pieces you played Ben were as always a tonic to the soul. Thank you!
A recital would just be fabsolutely antastic! Thank you so much for your channel.
Yes, please, Mr. Ben Maton, what a pleasure it would be for us, your lisners if you could have a chance to perform an entire concert with the organ. Be blessed Ben.
Thank you , Ben, for the wonderful music and history lesson! Please play a longer recital on this organ.
Wonderful church, organ and choice of music! Yes, please, a longer concert on this instrument. Thanks for all you do, Ben.
If only I was closer> You are providing a valuable service to all those that came before. Composers and organ builders alike. Thank you for your efforts.
Ben, please do a longer recital at St. Thomas the Martyr. The organ has a beautiful sound to it when you play it.
Excellent! I'd certainly like to hear more in this beautiful Church.
Dear Ben- the acoustic in that church is absolutely epic and sublime and the organ seems to be well up to the job ...please please do a much longer selection of music form this space... and add the modern touch...its another dynamic..why dont you organise an actual concert there... you might be surprised when we all turn up.....😊😊
Wow, that organ is incredible. The Bach sounds magnificent.
On the thought of a longer concert in Bristol, some wonderful Christian people are connected to this city like George Whitfield, John and Charles Wesley prolific hymnwriters and Hannah More and George Muller. Some inspiration for some wonderful hymnsong.
I love the Bach, stunning organ❤
Great video from St. Thomas Bristol. YES the organ bared it's soul with the lovely music you played so beautifully. Thank you.
I’m so glad to see your handsome face again!!!
And, yes, I would love to hear more from this beautiful organ!
Love your visit to St. Thomas. Would enjoy hearing more of this historic organ
What a beautiful sound this organ has. Ben's squeeze to the organ space was well worth it. Interesting story about the church, too
👏👏👏 thank you Ben, beautiful Zimmer piece when played by you on this organ which is a true survivor.
This organ has a beautiful sound and the acoustics in the church are fantastic! I would love to hear more.
Amazing, your songs went through my ears, straight to my soul. Definitely a concert would be wonderful. Thanks Ben!
Many fugues by other composers sound good despite being fugues. Fugues by Bach sound good because they are fugues. His "Little" fugue in G Minor is one of the greatest fugues of all time. This was a beautiful performance of that masterpiece. The whole program today was full of soul; celestial harmonies.
The acoustics, fabulous, the Bach, sublime, as you'd expect, your playing and your ability to draw us into your wonderful world of organs and music and pork sandwiches, unrivalled! Thank you Ben.... And, yes, of course, a longer concert with this splendid organ....
The Lord must love music as beautiful as this to be played in these churches I think heaven is full of these wonderful and beautiful compassions man of which were written for his glory these are short and a longer playing time would be great but it’s the free time to listen to them if longer
I would love to hear more of this organ with you at the console. I’ve followed you for quite a long time and I am in awe of you as an organist and an obviously committed Christian and lovely guy.
I have to say you look younger and more handsome without the beard.
You also used to look nice when you were wearing a white shirt and tie.
Lovely sound to that organ!
How truly lovely. Such a grand old instrument. And to start with the Bach fugue. I'm afraid my poor old hands have become much too arthritic but my mind and my heart plays on with your performance. A blessing for you.
Yes to a longer recital. Stunning.
Yes, yes, yes!
I love watching Ben’s weekly TH-cam videos and listening to the wonderful music he creates on the ancient organs in the beautiful old churches and chapels which he visits 🎹🎶🛐🥳
Yes, yes to the longer concert.
Thank you
Looking forward to another recital. This church organ is so vibrant it surely deserves to be heard again! Beautiful acoustics as well. A delight for your listeners! Can’t get enough of Bach and Handel! lol! Bring it on my friend!❤ Blessings!❤
Ben, I'm Shari from the USA. I want to say a big thank you for sharing this beautiful pipe organ with us viewers.
When you said you were going to play a modern work I thought we were going to hear splendid composition by Ben Maton.
Nah! He's too modest to sink that low... which is probably a shame.
Thank you, Ben, for another lovely video... and I vote "yes" for a longer recital. 😃
What lovely church and organ. Very enjoyable music. Thank you
Yes. Please do a longer concert. Thank you so much!
Really inspiring😮.
Thank you so much!
Lovely 😊 video again Ben loved the st Thomas organ and I hope you can go again and thank you for sharing your story’s about the church’s you visit you always make it so special bless you
What a beautiful sound this organ has. And yes of course to more music from this church. And so nice that it is still used by the Romanian community as a working church.
I enjoyed hearing the sort of sound that Handel might have heard. To me, it's a connection to the time in which some of my traceable ancestors lived.
Equally important is the experience of new music: though what I most often listen to is 400 years old or more, some new writings offer an "AHA!" moment. Your choice in the last piece you played is one such case in point. Without knowing the story behind it, and only having heard it played by two other musicians (you can guess at least one of them), I come away from listening to your rendition feeling that you have contributed something of equal value. Your delicate and sensitive approach is as powerful as hearing the same piece played on a massive instrument--yet different and utterly legitimate in its difference. Great work, much appreciated.
The Zimmer piece is wonderfully mysterious, and i enjoyed hearing you play it. Please perform a longer recital--- i'd be thrilled with a whole recital of Handel! 🥺 Please?
Beautiful! Thanks again for this lovely musical pause in our busy world. 🇨🇦
Precioso reportaje Ben con el nos trasladas a esta preciosa iglesia dedicada a Santo Tomás, bien restaurada y utilizada con buen criterio ecuménico por la Iglesia Ortodoxa Rumana para sus actos litúrgicos también para eventos culturales creo que es un acierto, veo este edificio con cierto aire arquitectónico clasicista con aires de arquitectura renacentista, las piezas elegidas para este magnífico órgano clásico de precioso sonido y aires de grandeza, gracias Ben por tu sensibilidad por el arte sonoro del emperador de los instrumentos. Un abrazo virtual para tí y los seguidores de tu canal desde el éste del Reino de España.😊❤
The Bach fugue was stunning on this organ!
The sounds from that particular organ are exquisite! Absolutely gorgeous, thank you.
Yes!! would enjoy a longer concert from this church, St. Thomas the Martyr. The sampling you offer here makes me eager to hear more. Thank you!
"Wind on my face" ... how nice!
That's not what Baldrick said.
Thank you so much for playing the Handel piece. I sang this piece in my vocal recital in college and haven't heard it since! (50 years). It's such a pretty tune. And yes, please a recital from here would be lovely!!!
Hey!
Ben I've been watching your videos for more than a year now and this episode in particular was the most inspiring one.
Please know that you're doing a really great job by making these video films, by showing us around village churches and their history which holds such an impeccable beauty & charm within its walls, to now showing the beauty of Bristol.
I really want you to show us the churches🏛️ and pipe organs🎹 which are beyond British Isles 😊
Would love to sometime !!!
What a gorgeous sweet instrument!! Such beautiful playing, Ben. Your playing, artistry and commentary are superb. You have a beautiful and eloquent speaking voice...very calming and soothing, indeed. One would never tire listening to your voice.
Yes, dear Ben Maton, could we please have more music from the organ that was baptized by fire and rose from the dead and was reborn? I think it sounds wonderful.
you started with my favourite modern piece!! LOVE it, I could listen to your recordings allllll day
Very nice. Thank you!
Love the bits of poetry in between the wonderful music. Do give us a longer recital if possible. Thank you.
I’m glad you enjoy poetry. I’d like to do that more often :)
MISS The BEARD it suited you so well! Thanks for playing Handel!
I miss the beard as well! It makes you appear very distinguished and handsome along with your longer dark head hair!
Loved this program, Ben! Please return to St Thomas the Martyr for a longer program. The acoustic in St Thomas is very favorable to the organ you featured today. I agree, Interstellar is well-suited to the organ! Enjoy the wind on your face! 🙂
Please do a longer piece on this organ! Baroque please.
Thanks!
Hello Ben, Phil Hill from the US. I've followed and written on your site here before, I love history and love to see it preserved and love what you're doing to preserve it! I just listened to a podcast from--I can't quite remember the name of it--the "organ...something. Dedicated to the preservation and history of old Organs in Scotland. Very distressed to learn that around the reformation in Scotland, not only Kilts, Bagpipes, language being banned but also the playing of the organs were banned around this time period! What a shame. Also, I'm very distressed to hear that the Presbyterian officials have decided to close all their churches up in Scotland. They've recently started and this closure is underway as we speak. The organs, of course, are going to be left in silence to rot apparently as well. Do you have or can you find out any information as to WHY these churches are going to be closed? Is it lack of attendance, or people quit believing or just don't want to attend Presbyterian churches anymore. Is Christianity up there dying? Just wondering if you've caught wind of this and your thoughts.
The tune of this organ is so sharp and precise.
Compliments to who rebuild it and to you, the organist.
Thanks for sharing...
I got goosebumps when you started the fugue. Blessings to whoever spearheaded the restoration after the fire and vandalism. It tickles me to look at the little bench and think "Handel sat here." 😊 And finally, the "Ode To aAFriendless Church" is a beautiful piece. I hope to hear all of it on another of your videos soon.
What a fantastic sound Ben. A recital would be fantastic. Yes please!❤
Ben you capture the whole essence of this organ, the church building, it's history, and the music from this remarkable organ! I view your TH-cam postings with great interest from over here in America and find myself so transported with your remarkable talent and respect for history which you convey so beautifully and professionally! I have come to respect and deeply appreciate your playing, love for the organ and it's music, and the church buildings which provide the setting for your playing and narration! Your narration skill is so remarkable and pleasant to listen to! Hopefully you will provide another video of your playing on this fascinating organ. It's restoration is wonderful!
I hope to see that beautiful beard of yours reappear in due time! It was so becoming to you and looked so great with your full head of hair!
The restoration of the organ at St Thomas the Martyr is celebrated by Where’er you walk from Handel’s opera Semele played by Ben, thankfully no longer looking like Rasputin. Today I heard another organ much admired by Handel with sharp keys white and other keys black, with a chimney flute stop, very different from Ben’s beloved open diapason.
Well Ben. That was really wonderful. I loved every second. Even the racket of the city reminded me that I am happy I don’t have to listen to it very often. That church is lucky that it has been rescued. Maybe if you play there more frequently, someone will throw all that junk out. The music was perfect. I will take as much of it as you offer.
And I’m glad we have the old you back too!
Thanks for your wishes for summer. My younger son and my granddaughter are coming for supper. It’s 13 degrees so I doubt we will be eating outside.
Meanwhile, in NW Ohio, the prediction is for 7 days in a row of heat index readings of 105 F. (40.5 Celsius). Remind me to revise my will to include Ben and Friends of Friendless Churches.) 😓 😸
@@kesmarnI live in Regina on the Canadian prairies. I’m waiting for the predicted drought.
@@lizwilliams14 There's just no end to the weather tricks we're seeing of late. What's next here? I'm hoping it's "only" cicadas. (Although I confess to wanting to hear them just once, since I've read that they can reach 100 db!)
Beautiful sounding organ, you mentioned its a tracker, I'm in California and the oldest pipe organ on the west coast is in St Pauls Episcopal church in Sacramento CA. The previous organ blower blew up one early Sunday morning back about 1915 and they bought a 1870ish tracker out of Philadelphia and installed it in the church. Its also a very nice sounding pipe organ
A profoundly rich and gorgeous song from this Firebird.
Loving the history that you obviously spend time researching for these videos.
And, yes, please, a longer recital. And as someone else requested, some baroque, please, and thanks.
Of course we want a longer recital!!! Thanks for asking.
Wonderful! I played that instrument in 1983 when it, and the church were in a bad way. I’m delighted to hear it in such good shape in your hands. I took on the displaced church choir in 1983 (renamed The St Thomas Singers) in their new home at Cotham Church where I was organ scholar. I wonder if they are still going! I enjoyed the Interstellar piece - it’s quite the thing at the moment.
That is a beautifully played Bach Prelude, Ben! That organ does it justice. The sound of those pipes shimmers with a brilliance but oh so sweet! Thank you for taking me on such a wonderful journey of these historic churches and organs. Bless you!