Hi Ben, I'm a jazz pianist and Christian songwriter from Cambridgeshire. Just wanted to say that I'm absolutely loving your channel!! Please keep the videos coming. They are a real blessing. God bless.
as a completely blind individual, I am amazed at how you describe things. Keep it up! I hope to be an aspiring organist, even if I'm completely blind. My disability will not stop me. Well done, and keep up the great, fantastic work! Sincerely, Masie from Canada.
I do hope you carry on with your organ studies. When I went on holiday a blind organist would fill in for me on Sunday mornings. He had a braille hymn book and could play whatever was required. On Saturday nights he played pop music in a hotel bar. If he knew I had popped in he would work in a bit of Anglican chant in my honour!
Super Thanks! My wife and I have been a part of preserving and extending a Casavant Frères 2-manual organ living in a very bright sounding Lutheran church in Glen Rock, New Jersey USA. We thoroughly enjoy your episodes and wish you continued success!
They say music is food for the soul. Your videos make a full meal for the soul with your commentary, and obvious love, of beautiful old churches and the extra course provided by your explanation and knowledge of the instruments. It's been a lifelong regret that I never learnt to play a church organ properly although I once did have a number of practice sessions at our local Anglican church, St. Michael's here in Highworth NE Wiltshire. You're doing something amazing Ben, thank you.
Hello Ben. I have watched the vast majority of your videos. I'm now 76 (after open heart surgery) but I was an organist for most of 50 years. My faith has evaporated - too much reading - I also played the harp for 35 years. Haven't touched an organ for several years. I enjoy your work immensely and try not to miss a single episode. Seeing what I have seen makes me wish I lived in England! As soon as my SSI check arrives, I'll donate.
Reading can be also a curse, many christians don't realise how it's the same thing than wrong company, and conversations with toxic people. If you want to become a faithful and stay as faithful, you must do things that brings you nearer to Lord not away from the Lord. Reading false teachings that criticize the Bible or misleading interpretation, herecy and so on what we nowadays hear in almost every church, cause harm to our faith. That's why it's good to do how jewish do, they read the Holy Scriptures in faith by honoring Adonai Eloheinu and keeping all the mitzvot.
@@ventusborealis2414 I'm sorry, but I can't let that just pass without comment. If you can only defend your 'faith' by not allowing any discussion, reading, or open debate about it, then you aren't going to win anyone over to your 'belief'. Me for one.
I teach elementary school music by day and direct a community band. Playing organ is something I did for fun here and there since college, but two years ago I discovered that my music history instructor had moved to my neighborhood (over 100 miles from my university) and was the organist at my local Episcopal church. Now in my mid-30s, I have become the organ scholar at the church. He and I have talked about how we wish that the diocese would hire some a couple of musicians to play for churches that are too small to afford their own regular organists and cantors to play for Eucharist. You’re inspiring me to reach out to some of the smaller parishes in my diocese and see if they would like me to play for them over the summer.
Hello Ben, my name is José Manuel and I am writing to you from Barcelona. I am a Catholic Christian and a fan of organ and harmonium music. I really like your videos and your culture and country. A hug!
Among the many things I appreciate and enjoy in your videos is the scholarship with which you bless us. Thank you, Ben, for including bits of history for hymns, churches, and so much more.
The best episode so far, in my opinion. I’ve loved old places of worship for years. Now I understand and appreciate them even more. I’ve been around organs all my life, but like churches, I appreciate and understand more because of this fine channel.
Blessed Assurance was one of my mother's favorite hymns, I can remember her singing it long after her passing. The Salisbury organist has been my new Sunday habit as well. keep the videos coming. Blessed Be. 😊🙏
Blessed Assurance was a hymn my mother loved. Whenever we sing it in church, it reminds me of her, sitting at the piano and singing in her lovely alto voice ❤
Once more an entrancing visit to a wonderfully restored church and some beautiful pieces on a magnificent organ. Thank you Ben. Definitely one of the high points of my week when I see a new video.
Thanks so much for playing “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby! This has been one of my favorite hymns for well over 60 years, as have been other hymns by Fanny Crosby. Thanks also for bringing us to visit this lovely chapel and organ and for filling it with the beauty of your playing!
I enjoy your brother's playing, but I must admit I like it when you go solo even better... there's something about you being alone in those quiet churches... the feel is different... it's like it's more intimate, like you're sharing something special with your viewer... plus I'm very introverted and having your brother there makes it feel like a crowd forming 😹
We look forward to your videos each week. The careful planning and enthusiasm that go into each is apparent, and it's fascinating to see how this project is developing. Many thanks.
It's the Anonymous craftsman that often proves the best. It is however a little known tradition that every Organ builder on the shop floor reserves the right to sign his name on any work that comes off his bench, regardless of who he works for. I was asked to remove my signature on my work for a maker. I refused and handed in my notice there and then. What the business owner did not know was I signed it in a few places he did not know about. The last laugh was mine. Every good craftsman knows his work is his signature. Something no egotistical employer can steal from him. This Organ demonstrates the point very well. Thanks Ben for another marvellous production. Looking forward to many more. Respect.
I don’t know if this is a tradition or an urban legend but when I had my teaching studio next to the piano shop I was told that every Steinway that came in for a rebuild was signed on the underside of the soundboard by the technician who worked on it.
@@Quince828 It is a tradition for a simple reason. A COMPETANT craftsman is proud of his or her work and has a right to take credit where credit is due. All to often that credit is stolen by unscrupulous middle men, managers and business owners. When Lawyers bought out Steinway in America they sacked all their craftsmen and replaced them with cheap unskilled labour from the Philippines. THAT is why Steinway is now a garbage piano. It takes great skill and experience to rebuild musical instruments. You can't fake it without destroying the instrument. Same with Pipe Organs. Many superb instruments have been raped by hacks. This is why old makers hid multiple signatures, to stop their work and credit being stolen by other makers, auction houses and hustlers. A great musical instrument is a sacred thing. It's spiritual power is beyond price.
I had to watch this video three time's because it is a very very interesting Church. If you look closely you will notice all the window's are golden rectangles in proportion. Either vertically or horizontally. Whoever designed this Church was paying homage to the golden proportion. By the looks of it, the Pitch of the roof is 51 degrees. The four panels above the Organ keyboard are also Golden rectangles. Proportion and balance are vital keys to a good sounding instrument. The sonority of that glorious 8ft Diapason is the sound of spring. Warm and bright with no hint of dissonance. The excellent acoustic is also the result of using good proportions. Having spent so much of my life studying the works of great master's of their craft, I know only one thing. You never stop learning in this trade. One day I will make a pilgrimage to this Church and pay homage to all those who dedicated their heart's and minds to the greatest Architect of them all. A big thank you to the friends of friendless church's. A great service in a great cause.
My lever harp is signed by everyone who touched the thing. It's cool, because to me that shows real humans are behind it, not some CNC machine IKEA thing.
Ben - this is a lovely episode. I can’t get over how beautifully both these churches have been renovated. It’s almost tempting me to come home for a holiday and see them in person. But when I remember all those crowds involved in the journey, I think I can be satisfied with your offerings. No crowds and your lovely organ playing as well. Friends of Friendless Churches have a TH-cam channel. It has photos of St Mary’s, Long Crichel, during their work. Liz ❤
Glad to hear that Billy is back next week as the sound of the classical guitar and the pipe organ together is enchanting. Ben’s channel has really taken off since Billy became involved with 95,000 views in just two weeks. The Beatles got together when they were younger than Billy. Could the Maton Brothers too become world famous?
Ah, Ben, I'm sure I speak for many who've spent all their lives in church, and in the service of the Lord, in saying how much of a balm for the soul your videos have become! From way over here in sunny Australia, I still wish I could be in England and see these precious old churches and hear their walls ring with your tender, sensitive playing. You should organise for your followers to go with you when you film; I bet it's even more fun live than it is watching you on TH-cam. God bless, you Pied Piper of the organ!!!
I'm sure that this church and most of the churches you visit would be delighted to have an organist of your skill and talent to play their services, which is probably very rare in thse obscure locations.
Your videos have very high quality production value, you have a natural ability to present well, you're well spoken, cinematography is spot on, the sound is good and all done on a fraction of a budget of what the alphabet networks would budget millions of dollars for. Well done Ben! This is what TH-cam was made for! But I'll be reporting you to the cops for driving on the wrong side of the road!
I always enjoy the little bit of a culture that I don't have much contact with. Your videos document aspects of community that are fading in the present but still very much alive in the minds of those who research it or who have lived it. Your work provides an access to a world I would have difficulty doing justice to in words alone.
That F major was the first organ piece I learned when I began lessons in my early teens. I was so nervous I didn’t dare touch anything! My teacher allowed me to use the open diapason on the swell and the four foot. Thus the love affair with the organ began and the temptation to fool around with all the sounds and power of a three manual Casavant was avoided. Sadly that instrument was lost to a fire last year. Thanks for bringing back memories of long ago and a good and kind teacher.
When I was very young my pipe dream, excuse the pun, was to play a beautiful church organ. A friend from choir was also an organist and they let me play one night at their church. We played part of Widor's Toccata together. What a thrill, I'll *never* forget it 😁
I've been working on a harp transcription of Daquin's "La Cuckoo" for a while now. Thank you for playing it. I've only heard it on a harp recording, never on an organ, and it's just charming! 🎶🥰🎵🎶
Hi Ben-First I have to say I am learning so much from your programs ! I am so impressed with the work that the Friends of Friendless churches is doing! I am in the US but have a deep love of Great Britain, her history, architecture and people (including my own family) and am grateful that there is a group of wonderful people who value and care for these churches! I also would love to hear your musical learning journey. The Bach Miniature Prelude in F Major that you learned as your first piece on the organ seemed very complex for a beginner! Please tell us more of your story!
Thanks for showing how you use the iPad. I’ve been practicing with ForScore this week and will try using my iPad during mass for the first time tomorrow.
Thanks from an old organist in the US. Loved visiting the little country churches with their long histories. This one isn't that old. And the organ seems to be in tune. Good.
I can relate. I use the iPad every Sunday morning when I sing. Saves me from having to turn pages and find music. Thank you so much for your beautiful music!
Wonderful video and a sweet organ. If anyone is interested why Ben had the Gamba pulled as well as the Voix Celeste for the piece by von Paradis, the Celeste is tuned sightly higher on purpose so that when used with the Gamba (it's not really usable without) the beat frequency gives that wonderful shimmery sound.
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. I am a totally blind individual and I am living vicariously through you in these videos. if I could ever go on vacation, it would be an absolute treat to go with you to look at and hear you play in all these different churches. thank you for an absolute gift and treat for playing Oregon.
I LOVE listening to you on Sunday afternoons -- and I LOVE Fanny Crosby! Thank you! I also have to laugh at your iPad "secret." My husband (53 years ago, my boyfriend!) used to note that I stuck out my tongue when I was especially concentrating at my music (Beethoven brought out the WORST in me!). I am not aware of doing it any more -- thank goodness -- but who would have thought that a similar habit might be used to turn those "dread" pages!!
Greetings from USA…Have enjoyed this episode from this lovely chapel. What a good use of technology to play this organ! I look forward future episodes from your channel👏
Thank you, Ben, for including in this video your excellent rendition of Blessed Assurance, such a jewel in Christian hymnody. Here are 2 quotes by Fanny Crosby herself: “I could not have written thousands of hymns if I had been hindered by the distractions of seeing all of the beautiful objects that would have been presented to my notice.” “If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind... for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour.”
It appears that this little pipe organ was built just like American style reed (pump) organs with a split keyboard. By splitting the keyboard it allowed some of the advantages of a two manual keyboard in being able to change the sounds between the treble and bass. Makes it a little more versatile. I've never seen this before in a pope organ...only in reed organs. Very unique. Thank You for presenting this very interesting video. I enjoy listening to you play and sharing your talent.
If you use a split keyboard (which is a common feature on many electronic organs) you have to be careful to make sure the melody stays on the right hand side of the split, and the accompaniment on the left-hand side. Quite often you have to transpose or invert chords to make sure they stay on the right side of the line. Otherwise you end up with odd sounding discontinuities. I've never had much success with the technique.
@@philiphumphrey1548Presumably there must be s cabin of music written for that eventuality? I've come across a couple of small organs with it, generally just for the diapason, but never seen a way to use it.
You are the most extraordinary man, Ben. Absolutely brilliant. My Sister watches these videos in France would you believe. Grateful thanks to you as ever.
I love the history storytelling and the music. Your videos are excellent. I did subscribe. You popped up on TH-cam recommendations today. I plan on watching further videos. Thanks.
No cuckoos here in Ontario, Canada, but we have plenty of other birds, busy making nests, as spring has finally arrived. We have lots of robins, but they are quite different from your British robin. Thank you for showing us the secret of how you turn the page on the iPad with no hands or feet involved!
I went to see Anna Lapwood last weekend, and she has the iPad for her scores -she "winks" at the page to turn it. Well, she was joking about how the WDCH organ had such a wide spacing for pedals, that one particular piece made her wince when playing. The iPad thought she was winking and turned the pages on her. I just bought one of them (partially to use composition software), but I have to figure out something I can use to turn the page when playing piano. I may just stick my tongue out at it. 😜 I await the return of Billy Fingers!!!
I always wondered how that page turning thing worked! Now I’m going to be looking for organists tics! makes a change from the accidentally violent page turn or the carefully spread sheets in .8 font size
Ben, I loved 'Blessed Assurance'. Haven't heard it in maybe 35 years. There are not only disused churches, but disused hymns. Thank you for caring for both.
Yet again Ben, you have produced a masterpiece of calm and tranquillity - a wonderful chapel and an excellent little organ, beautifully played - thank you. Paypal visited! Andrew
I’m an orchestral percussionist, who also plays steel pan. I’ve been able to use an old standard ipad for reading charts on pan. But I haven’t been able to bring myself to commit to usage in an orchestral setting.
Love this video Ben, please take a trip up to Scotland when you can there are too many brilliant churches and organs here which aren’t being used to the standard that they deserve.
Make a donation to help him make such a voyage and offer him your assistance in any way, shape or form. It is a lot of work doing those gem of video. It would probably be an occasion for him to film many places but it is a lot of preparation to document each places…. I would love to see the Chapels of Scotland that you are talking about and I wish I could go there and give him a hand but I am in Canada.
Wonderful as always! I'm hoping you can summon up the spirit of Fancy Day, Thomas Hardy's lovely fictional organist on your visit to Stinsford. And congratulations on exceeding 27K subscribers! Looking forward to Billy's fine guitar work again next week. 🙂
The split keyboard is a rarity on English instruments, but it's very common in Spain! Sometimes there are even certain stops that only encompass one half of the manual.
Ben: I’ve used an iPad Pro at home for a few months now with forScore and face twitches to turn the pages! Great! Works well. But, to my horror, I was playing a pipe organ for a service (I’m normally doing the preaching) and in the first hymn I began, as I always do, singing along with the music. The pages started flipping forward and back as my mouth moved! Had to stop singing and then turn off face gestures for the rest of the service. 😧
Hello Ben thank you for another wonderful video I do look forward to your videos so much also 😊 sending billy again playing with you again I also love the different organs you play in the lovely churches and you always explain about the churches and and the organs you play till next time take care ❤
My congregation love that Bach F major when I play it. I'm still getting used to twitching through pages on ForScore, though I don't like to do it when I'm on the piano and can be seen!
Well done Ben, well done! So, you play organ with not only both hands and feet, but with your nose as well, now I've heard (and seen) everything. I had a feeling that church was 19th century, Gothic, it looked too perfectly squared off to be anything but Victorian. "Friends of Friendless Churches" is a fine organization, helping to keep old, de-consecrated churches alive and well, instead of being allowed to fall into ruin. Cheese and pickle sandwiches...coming from Texas I like a few jalapeños in mine as well, kinduv sweet spicy. Cheers dude.
Thank you for this week’s video. It is an inspiring treat to watch every Sunday evening. I enjoyed the otherworldly sound of ‘Sicilienne’. It was also fascinating to learn about how you use your IPad, I had no idea. I was looking out for the subtle facial twitch during the last piece!
Haha, Ben, you're amazing! This church, its organ & your playing are magical. Regarding page turning...my father, who was a church organist, would pull so many faces when playing difficult music: a form of concentration, I suppose!
Thanks for the explanation about the iPad. I thought it would use the microphone and listen to your playing, knowing where you are in the piece, and turn the page accordingly. Either way, it works well! Thanks!
Another iPad organist here, and cannot live without it. I use forScore and it has been updated to accept winks, which I find a lot more receptive than mouth movements. Feels so good to carry around your whole sheet music library, especially when you have a bride that is late.
Did you say Thomas Hardy?!!! He's my fav! Did you say Billy/Classical Guitar?!! The next video sounds exciting! I was thinking about the two candle holders on either side of the music stand, and how they're obsolete, as you have your bright iPad there. It's so amazing the way you turn the pages! 😮 Never could the people who put the candle holders there ever imagine the way you would have your music lit up now!
Simply, thank you for this wonderful offering! I will be vigilant in waiting for your next offering with your brother as announced. As always, thank you for this shared video! This is Peter; out!
Wonderful to hear Daquin's marvelous 'Le Coucou" on organ. Brilliant performance, Ben! Thanks for discussing your iPad sheet music companion. I had wondered how the pages were being turned; I had thought that they were timed to turn automatically.
Glad Billy will be back. You always seemed a bit melancholy with only yourself in those cold, lonely churches. You did that atmosphere very well, but I think we are all relieved that you will have your bro to be with you! Thanks for your beautiful work.
Yet another superb video Ben, your on my former patch, St Mary's is a beautiful church (a chapel of ease), should have wander up to St Margarets, Corsley & gave their organ a workout.
I use the same forScore trick; bit of a learning curve, and when you are playing multiple instruments it sometimes needs to be recalibrated for where you are. But it's so cool!
How interesting that you turn the pages with a facial twitch! I was wondering but would never have guessed. Thank you for your wonderful videos. My dream is to come to England someday and visiting these places of worship in the countryside will be a top priority.
Strange things you can do with an iPad Pro. Gave me a good chuckle. Thanks for that and yet another brilliant visit to an un(der)used Church Organ. Makes my Sundays very enjoyable.
That remembers to me the iberian baroque organs that also have stops for each hand (left is called "bajos" and right "tiples"), like a "broken" or "cut" keyboard (in fact this tool is called "teclado partido"), but the difference is the note where happens the division (that is in C sharp). Greetings from Spain
First piece you played I recognized the music I played on piano years ago when was a student. Every piece from Bach is a holiday for the human spirit . I love listening J.S. Bach, and your music is also very talented.
Reed organs quite often have split keyboards with the same stops in bass and treble. The Estey Co. in the USA did this in quite a few of their actions. I have restored several of them. Once again, I so enjoy your playing and your videos. Thank you!
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Ben, you have discovered the joy of life in your music and self expression. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Hi Ben, I'm a jazz pianist and Christian songwriter from Cambridgeshire. Just wanted to say that I'm absolutely loving your channel!! Please keep the videos coming. They are a real blessing. God bless.
Sundays with the Salisbury Organist it’s becoming a weekly event at our house.
Keep up the great work..
as a completely blind individual, I am amazed at how you describe things. Keep it up! I hope to be an aspiring organist, even if I'm completely blind. My disability will not stop me. Well done, and keep up the great, fantastic work! Sincerely, Masie from Canada.
Wishing you all the best!
Hi Masie from Canada, wishing you all the very best for your ambition! Greetings from UK 😊
❤❤
Amazing keep it up best wishes Dave.
I do hope you carry on with your organ studies. When I went on holiday a blind organist would fill in for me on Sunday mornings. He had a braille hymn book and could play whatever was required. On Saturday nights he played pop music in a hotel bar. If he knew I had popped in he would work in a bit of Anglican chant in my honour!
Super Thanks! My wife and I have been a part of preserving and extending a Casavant Frères 2-manual organ living in a very bright sounding Lutheran church in Glen Rock, New Jersey USA. We thoroughly enjoy your episodes and wish you continued success!
They say music is food for the soul. Your videos make a full meal for the soul with your commentary, and obvious love, of beautiful old churches and the extra course provided by your explanation and knowledge of the instruments. It's been a lifelong regret that I never learnt to play a church organ properly although I once did have a number of practice sessions at our local Anglican church, St. Michael's here in Highworth NE Wiltshire. You're doing something amazing Ben, thank you.
Hello Ben. I have watched the vast majority of your videos. I'm now 76 (after open heart surgery) but I was an organist for most of 50 years. My faith has evaporated - too much reading - I also played the harp for 35 years. Haven't touched an organ for several years. I enjoy your work immensely and try not to miss a single episode. Seeing what I have seen makes me wish I lived in England! As soon as my SSI check arrives, I'll donate.
Wonderful- and thank you!
Watching from Newfoundland Canada... loving your channel.
Just today I was wondering how to turn the pages on an iPad... mystery solved.
Reading can be also a curse, many christians don't realise how it's the same thing than wrong company, and conversations with toxic people. If you want to become a faithful and stay as faithful, you must do things that brings you nearer to Lord not away from the Lord. Reading false teachings that criticize the Bible or misleading interpretation, herecy and so on what we nowadays hear in almost every church, cause harm to our faith. That's why it's good to do how jewish do, they read the Holy Scriptures in faith by honoring Adonai Eloheinu and keeping all the mitzvot.
@@ventusborealis2414 From the man who put the bore into Borealis.
@@ventusborealis2414 I'm sorry, but I can't let that just pass without comment. If you can only defend your 'faith' by not allowing any discussion, reading, or open debate about it, then you aren't going to win anyone over to your 'belief'. Me for one.
I teach elementary school music by day and direct a community band. Playing organ is something I did for fun here and there since college, but two years ago I discovered that my music history instructor had moved to my neighborhood (over 100 miles from my university) and was the organist at my local Episcopal church. Now in my mid-30s, I have become the organ scholar at the church. He and I have talked about how we wish that the diocese would hire some a couple of musicians to play for churches that are too small to afford their own regular organists and cantors to play for Eucharist. You’re inspiring me to reach out to some of the smaller parishes in my diocese and see if they would like me to play for them over the summer.
Wonderful! Thank you for your willingness to serve!
Hello Ben, my name is José Manuel and I am writing to you from Barcelona. I am a Catholic Christian and a fan of organ and harmonium music. I really like your videos and your culture and country. A hug!
Among the many things I appreciate and enjoy in your videos is the scholarship with which you bless us. Thank you, Ben, for including bits of history for hymns, churches, and so much more.
Thank you for posting a beautiful and inspiring video! I pray that such churches, organs, and organists never disappear!
The best episode so far, in my opinion. I’ve loved old places of worship for years. Now I understand and appreciate them even more. I’ve been around organs all my life, but like churches, I appreciate and understand more because of this fine channel.
Blessed Assurance was one of my mother's favorite hymns, I can remember her singing it long after her passing. The Salisbury organist has been my new Sunday habit as well. keep the videos coming. Blessed Be. 😊🙏
Lovely to hear some good old Rowland Pritchard - one of my very favourite hymn composers
I can't speak for other viewers but I like the beard Ben.
Thanks, it’s been a voyage of discovery
Once again I love seeing these old churches and the old organs they have.
My Grandmother used to sing hymns whilst carrying out her housework tasks in the home. Blessed Assurance was on her repertoire. Thank you Ben.
Blessed Assurance was a hymn my mother loved. Whenever we sing it in church, it reminds me of her, sitting at the piano and singing in her lovely alto voice ❤
Once more an entrancing visit to a wonderfully restored church and some beautiful pieces on a magnificent organ. Thank you Ben. Definitely one of the high points of my week when I see a new video.
Thanks so much for playing “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby! This has been one of my favorite hymns for well over 60 years, as have been other hymns by Fanny Crosby. Thanks also for bringing us to visit this lovely chapel and organ and for filling it with the beauty of your playing!
Ben, you and Billy are truly the magical Matons. Your music and presentation is on a higher level. I think the King should knight you both! 👍🙏
I enjoy your brother's playing, but I must admit I like it when you go solo even better... there's something about you being alone in those quiet churches... the feel is different... it's like it's more intimate, like you're sharing something special with your viewer... plus I'm very introverted and having your brother there makes it feel like a crowd forming 😹
My thoughts exactly, and so well put.
We look forward to your videos each week. The careful planning and enthusiasm that go into each is apparent, and it's fascinating to see how this project is developing. Many thanks.
It's the Anonymous craftsman that often proves the best.
It is however a little known tradition that every Organ builder on the shop floor reserves the right to sign his name on any work that comes off his bench, regardless of who he works for. I was asked to remove my signature on my work for a maker.
I refused and handed in my notice there and then.
What the business owner did not know was I signed it in a few places he did not know about. The last laugh was mine. Every good craftsman knows his work is his signature. Something no egotistical employer can steal from him.
This Organ demonstrates the point very well.
Thanks Ben for another marvellous production. Looking forward to many more. Respect.
Perfectly said! Thank you!
I don’t know if this is a tradition or an urban legend but when I had my teaching studio next to the piano shop I was told that every Steinway that came in for a rebuild was signed on the underside of the soundboard by the technician who worked on it.
@@Quince828
It is a tradition for a simple reason. A COMPETANT craftsman is proud of his or her work and has a right to take credit where credit is due. All to often that credit is stolen by unscrupulous middle men, managers and business owners. When Lawyers bought out Steinway in America they sacked all their craftsmen and replaced them with cheap unskilled labour from the Philippines. THAT is why Steinway is now a garbage piano.
It takes great skill and experience to rebuild musical instruments.
You can't fake it without destroying the instrument.
Same with Pipe Organs. Many superb instruments have been raped by hacks.
This is why old makers hid multiple signatures, to stop their work and credit being stolen by other makers, auction houses and hustlers. A great musical instrument is a sacred thing. It's spiritual power is beyond price.
I had to watch this video three time's because it is a very very interesting Church. If you look closely you will notice all the window's are golden rectangles in proportion. Either vertically or horizontally. Whoever designed this Church was paying homage to the golden proportion. By the looks of it, the Pitch of the roof is 51 degrees.
The four panels above the Organ keyboard are also Golden rectangles.
Proportion and balance are vital keys to a good sounding instrument. The sonority of that glorious 8ft Diapason is the sound of spring. Warm and bright with no hint of dissonance. The excellent acoustic is also the result of using good proportions.
Having spent so much of my life studying the works of great master's of their craft, I know only one thing. You never stop learning in this trade.
One day I will make a pilgrimage to this Church and pay homage to all those who dedicated their heart's and minds to the greatest Architect of them all.
A big thank you to the friends of friendless church's. A great service in a great cause.
My lever harp is signed by everyone who touched the thing. It's cool, because to me that shows real humans are behind it, not some CNC machine IKEA thing.
Ben - this is a lovely episode. I can’t get over how beautifully both these churches have been renovated. It’s almost tempting me to come home for a holiday and see them in person. But when I remember all those crowds involved in the journey, I think I can be satisfied with your offerings. No crowds and your lovely organ playing as well.
Friends of Friendless Churches have a TH-cam channel. It has photos of St Mary’s, Long Crichel, during their work.
Liz ❤
Glad to hear that Billy is back next week as the sound of the classical guitar and the pipe organ together is enchanting. Ben’s channel has really taken off since Billy became involved with 95,000 views in just two weeks. The Beatles got together when they were younger than Billy. Could the Maton Brothers too become world famous?
Ah, Ben, I'm sure I speak for many who've spent all their lives in church, and in the service of the Lord, in saying how much of a balm for the soul your videos have become! From way over here in sunny Australia, I still wish I could be in England and see these precious old churches and hear their walls ring with your tender, sensitive playing. You should organise for your followers to go with you when you film; I bet it's even more fun live than it is watching you on TH-cam. God bless, you Pied Piper of the organ!!!
I'm sure that this church and most of the churches you visit would be delighted to have an organist of your skill and talent to play their services, which is probably very rare in thse obscure locations.
Your videos have very high quality production value, you have a natural ability to present well, you're well spoken, cinematography is spot on, the sound is good and all done on a fraction of a budget of what the alphabet networks would budget millions of dollars for. Well done Ben! This is what TH-cam was made for!
But I'll be reporting you to the cops for driving on the wrong side of the road!
I always enjoy the little bit of a culture that I don't have much contact with. Your videos document aspects of community that are fading in the present but still very much alive in the minds of those who research it or who have lived it. Your work provides an access to a world I would have difficulty doing justice to in words alone.
My wife, a violinist, has used ForScore for years! We absolutely love your videos, your music, and the beautiful places you visit! Thank you!
That F major was the first organ piece I learned when I began lessons in my early teens. I was so nervous I didn’t dare touch anything! My teacher allowed me to use the open diapason on the swell and the four foot. Thus the love affair with the organ began and the temptation to fool around with all the sounds and power of a three manual Casavant was avoided. Sadly that instrument was lost to a fire last year. Thanks for bringing back memories of long ago and a good and kind teacher.
Loved this video, Ben. What a beautiful place. The fact that there is such an organization as The Friends of Friendless Churche gives me great joy.
When I was very young my pipe dream, excuse the pun, was to play a beautiful church organ. A friend from choir was also an organist and they let me play one night at their church.
We played part of Widor's Toccata together.
What a thrill, I'll *never* forget it 😁
That's a very pleasant bright sounding 8ft Diapason. Very nice.
Love these videos. Great work writing, editing, filming, researching and,of course, impeccably performing. Well done.
Hello From Canada! This channel keeps me coming back to the nation of my family heritage. God Bless!
What a beautiful place! And the music just wonderful!! Thank you so much. ❤
I've been working on a harp transcription of Daquin's "La Cuckoo" for a while now. Thank you for playing it. I've only heard it on a harp recording, never on an organ, and it's just charming! 🎶🥰🎵🎶
Hi Ben-First I have to say I am learning so much from your programs ! I am so impressed with the work that the Friends of Friendless churches is doing! I am in the US but have a deep love of Great Britain, her history, architecture and people (including my own family) and am grateful that there is a group of wonderful people who value and care for these churches! I also would love to hear your musical learning journey. The Bach Miniature Prelude in F Major that you learned as your first piece on the organ seemed very complex for a beginner! Please tell us more of your story!
Thanks for showing how you use the iPad. I’ve been practicing with ForScore this week and will try using my iPad during mass for the first time tomorrow.
Thanks from an old organist in the US. Loved visiting the little country churches with their long histories. This one isn't that old. And the organ seems to be in tune. Good.
What a lovely setting and organ. The organist is rather magnificent as well!
I can relate. I use the iPad every Sunday morning when I sing. Saves me from having to turn pages and find music. Thank you so much for your beautiful music!
Wonderful video and a sweet organ. If anyone is interested why Ben had the Gamba pulled as well as the Voix Celeste for the piece by von Paradis, the Celeste is tuned sightly higher on purpose so that when used with the Gamba (it's not really usable without) the beat frequency gives that wonderful shimmery sound.
I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos. I am a totally blind individual and I am living vicariously through you in these videos. if I could ever go on vacation, it would be an absolute treat to go with you to look at and hear you play in all these different churches. thank you for an absolute gift and treat for playing Oregon.
Wow it is all in the twitch. Amazing!
I LOVE listening to you on Sunday afternoons -- and I LOVE Fanny Crosby! Thank you! I also have to laugh at your iPad "secret." My husband (53 years ago, my boyfriend!) used to note that I stuck out my tongue when I was especially concentrating at my music (Beethoven brought out the WORST in me!). I am not aware of doing it any more -- thank goodness -- but who would have thought that a similar habit might be used to turn those "dread" pages!!
Already a big fan, Ben. Thanks for this episode.
I have so many happy childhood memories of tiny Welsh chapels with clunky, wheezing organs.
Greetings from USA…Have enjoyed this episode from this lovely chapel. What a good use of technology to play this organ! I look forward future episodes from your channel👏
Very clever. Bravo! and Thanks for the idea and for the beautiful video about this very good organ!
Thanks so much it is such a joy to find this channel. I am a great fun of the friendless churches
I find your videos refreshingly different and engaging. It's part of my weekly routine to watch out for your next one.
Thanks, I’m becoming hooked to your work! So far I’ve enjoyed it very much! 😊 ❤
Thank you, Ben, for including in this video your excellent rendition of Blessed Assurance, such a jewel in Christian hymnody. Here are 2 quotes by Fanny Crosby herself:
“I could not have written thousands of hymns if I had been hindered by the distractions of seeing all of the beautiful objects that would have been presented to my notice.”
“If I had a choice, I would still choose to remain blind... for when I die, the first face I will ever see will be the face of my blessed Saviour.”
It appears that this little pipe organ was built just like American style reed (pump) organs with a split keyboard. By splitting the keyboard it allowed some of the advantages of a two manual keyboard in being able to change the sounds between the treble and bass. Makes it a little more versatile. I've never seen this before in a pope organ...only in reed organs. Very unique. Thank You for presenting this very interesting video. I enjoy listening to you play and sharing your talent.
If you use a split keyboard (which is a common feature on many electronic organs) you have to be careful to make sure the melody stays on the right hand side of the split, and the accompaniment on the left-hand side. Quite often you have to transpose or invert chords to make sure they stay on the right side of the line. Otherwise you end up with odd sounding discontinuities. I've never had much success with the technique.
@@philiphumphrey1548Presumably there must be s cabin of music written for that eventuality? I've come across a couple of small organs with it, generally just for the diapason, but never seen a way to use it.
You are the most extraordinary man, Ben. Absolutely brilliant. My Sister watches these videos in France would you believe. Grateful thanks to you as ever.
You’re welcome :)
Love the handsome beard!!!
I would love to see your repertoire list. I love the pieces you choose to play.
I love the history storytelling and the music. Your videos are excellent. I did subscribe. You popped up on TH-cam recommendations today. I plan on watching further videos. Thanks.
Welcome aboard!
I love the organ & l love churches, so what you do is a winning combination for me ! Thank you ! It’s lovely !
No cuckoos here in Ontario, Canada, but we have plenty of other birds, busy making nests, as spring has finally arrived. We have lots of robins, but they are quite different from your British robin. Thank you for showing us the secret of how you turn the page on the iPad with no hands or feet involved!
I went to see Anna Lapwood last weekend, and she has the iPad for her scores -she "winks" at the page to turn it. Well, she was joking about how the WDCH organ had such a wide spacing for pedals, that one particular piece made her wince when playing. The iPad thought she was winking and turned the pages on her. I just bought one of them (partially to use composition software), but I have to figure out something I can use to turn the page when playing piano. I may just stick my tongue out at it. 😜
I await the return of Billy Fingers!!!
I always wondered how that page turning thing worked! Now I’m going to be looking for organists tics! makes a change from the accidentally violent page turn or the carefully spread sheets in .8 font size
Ben, I loved 'Blessed Assurance'. Haven't heard it in maybe 35 years. There are not only disused churches, but disused hymns. Thank you for caring for both.
Yet again Ben, you have produced a masterpiece of calm and tranquillity - a wonderful chapel and an excellent little organ, beautifully played - thank you. Paypal visited! Andrew
I’m an orchestral percussionist, who also plays steel pan. I’ve been able to use an old standard ipad for reading charts on pan. But I haven’t been able to bring myself to commit to usage in an orchestral setting.
Love this video Ben, please take a trip up to Scotland when you can there are too many brilliant churches and organs here which aren’t being used to the standard that they deserve.
Make a donation to help him make such a voyage and offer him your assistance in any way, shape or form. It is a lot of work doing those gem of video. It would probably be an occasion for him to film many places but it is a lot of preparation to document each places…. I would love to see the Chapels of Scotland that you are talking about and I wish I could go there and give him a hand but I am in Canada.
Wonderful as always! I'm hoping you can summon up the spirit of Fancy Day, Thomas Hardy's lovely fictional organist on your visit to Stinsford. And congratulations on exceeding 27K subscribers! Looking forward to Billy's fine guitar work again next week. 🙂
The split keyboard is a rarity on English instruments, but it's very common in Spain! Sometimes there are even certain stops that only encompass one half of the manual.
Ben: I’ve used an iPad Pro at home for a few months now with forScore and face twitches to turn the pages! Great! Works well. But, to my horror, I was playing a pipe organ for a service (I’m normally doing the preaching) and in the first hymn I began, as I always do, singing along with the music. The pages started flipping forward and back as my mouth moved! Had to stop singing and then turn off face gestures for the rest of the service. 😧
Thank you for the video, it's fantastic. 🤗 I was a bit worrying about what has happened to you my friend. Greetings from Finland 🇫🇮🫶🏼🇬🇧
Hello Ben thank you for another wonderful video I do look forward to your videos so much also 😊 sending billy again playing with you again I also love the different organs you play in the lovely churches and you always explain about the churches and and the organs you play till next time take care ❤
Great, I just discovered I can't twitch to the right without, first, twitching to the left 😂😂
My congregation love that Bach F major when I play it. I'm still getting used to twitching through pages on ForScore, though I don't like to do it when I'm on the piano and can be seen!
Well done Ben, well done! So, you play organ with not only both hands and feet, but with your nose as well, now I've heard (and seen) everything. I had a feeling that church was 19th century, Gothic, it looked too perfectly squared off to be anything but Victorian. "Friends of Friendless Churches" is a fine organization, helping to keep old, de-consecrated churches alive and well, instead of being allowed to fall into ruin. Cheese and pickle sandwiches...coming from Texas I like a few jalapeños in mine as well, kinduv sweet spicy. Cheers dude.
Thank you for this week’s video. It is an inspiring treat to watch every Sunday evening. I enjoyed the otherworldly sound of ‘Sicilienne’. It was also fascinating to learn about how you use your IPad, I had no idea. I was looking out for the subtle facial twitch during the last piece!
Haha, Ben, you're amazing! This church, its organ & your playing are magical. Regarding page turning...my father, who was a church organist, would pull so many faces when playing difficult music: a form of concentration, I suppose!
Once again, thanks so much for taking us on a wonderful adventure of delightful sound and information!!
Thanks for the explanation about the iPad. I thought it would use the microphone and listen to your playing, knowing where you are in the piece, and turn the page accordingly. Either way, it works well! Thanks!
I was hoping for a demo during the Cuckoo piece but no dice 😄
Another iPad organist here, and cannot live without it. I use forScore and it has been updated to accept winks, which I find a lot more receptive than mouth movements. Feels so good to carry around your whole sheet music library, especially when you have a bride that is late.
I can’t get on with winks! So I rely on mouth twitches right and left as Ben does.
Did you say Thomas Hardy?!!! He's my fav! Did you say Billy/Classical Guitar?!! The next video sounds exciting!
I was thinking about the two candle holders on either side of the music stand, and how they're obsolete, as you have your bright iPad there. It's so amazing the way you turn the pages! 😮 Never could the people who put the candle holders there ever imagine the way you would have your music lit up now!
Simply, thank you for this wonderful offering! I will be vigilant in waiting for your next offering with your brother as announced. As always, thank you for this shared video! This is Peter; out!
We are all waiting for the twitch🤣 another great video Ben, beautifully put together. Thank you.
Thanks!
Thanks
Great work！
Wonderful to hear Daquin's marvelous 'Le Coucou" on organ. Brilliant performance, Ben! Thanks for discussing your iPad sheet music companion. I had wondered how the pages were being turned; I had thought that they were timed to turn automatically.
Fantastic, Ben! Always a treat to view your weekly videos!
Glad Billy will be back. You always seemed a bit melancholy with only yourself in those cold, lonely churches. You did that atmosphere very well, but I think we are all relieved that you will have your bro to be with you! Thanks for your beautiful work.
Yet another superb video Ben, your on my former patch, St Mary's is a beautiful church (a chapel of ease), should have wander up to St Margarets, Corsley & gave their organ a workout.
I use the same forScore trick; bit of a learning curve, and when you are playing multiple instruments it sometimes needs to be recalibrated for where you are. But it's so cool!
Who would have guessed! Absolutely amazing secret. I hope others will also contribute to your efforts.
How interesting that you turn the pages with a facial twitch! I was wondering but would never have guessed. Thank you for your wonderful videos. My dream is to come to England someday and visiting these places of worship in the countryside will be a top priority.
Strange things you can do with an iPad Pro. Gave me a good chuckle. Thanks for that and yet another brilliant visit to an un(der)used Church Organ. Makes my Sundays very enjoyable.
What a beautiful church and organ! Great video which I was looking forward to and was not disappointed!
Ben what a lovely recital in a lovely church. As for the twitch fascinating to learn this. What a unique page turner. Thanks for the peaceful time.
That remembers to me the iberian baroque organs that also have stops for each hand (left is called "bajos" and right "tiples"), like a "broken" or "cut" keyboard (in fact this tool is called "teclado partido"), but the difference is the note where happens the division (that is in C sharp). Greetings from Spain
First piece you played I recognized the music I played on piano years ago when was a student. Every piece from Bach is a holiday for the human spirit . I love listening J.S. Bach, and your music is also very talented.
Amazing how many sounds and notes you got from a single keyboard organ with a silent (inactive?) key in the middle. Well done!
Reed organs quite often have split keyboards with the same stops in bass and treble. The Estey Co. in the USA did this in quite a few of their actions. I have restored several of them. Once again, I so enjoy your playing and your videos. Thank you!