Ben, I love you. Your music moves me to tears. I love the old churches of England the glory of God that is expressed through your music. Oh my Ben thank you thank you thank from some American
I am a member of St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN, USA. We are a community in formation of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, i.e. former Anglicans in full communion now with the Catholic Church. We hope someday to have our own church building, rather than share space in a modern church of the local Archdiocese. Would that we had something as small as this church, built of stone, and filled with such beautiful sounds! 🙏
25:26 Comparisons that flashed through my head in chronological order before I heard the final word of your sentence: 1 cows 2 chickens 🥚🐣🐥 3 bulls🐂 🎯 4 sheep/ goats But not doggos. That would never have occurred to me. 😻💛🐶
Benjamin, I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to witness a male organist without the narcissist and, far too often, vicious ego.. And I know more than a few of them…. Especially enjoyed your phrasing on the harmonium (a lovely instrument - in the great long ago I learned to play - self taught - on an old reed organ in my grandmother’s home). Young man, you are indeed a “Master of the Manuals”.. Wishing you and yours all the very best in health, laughter and love that life may offer. Best wishes, this day, and always from Yakima, Washington, U.S.A. Wm.
"Be Thou My Vision" was beautiful ! We sang it at church this morning. I play the Moller pipe organ and Steinway grand there. I've been a church musician 48 of my 62 years!
Be thou my vision, has to be my most favourite hymn. We were walking along a path into a horseshoe valley, all of a sudden that hymn could be heard being played on a harp and a violin. Spooky was not the word. As we rounded the bend we saw two people sat on a huge boulder. They had been practicing for a concert later on that day in the valley.
Danny Boy / Londonderry Air (22:20) is a very difficult piece of music for me as my mother has requested it for her funeral. It makes me sad but I also love it for the last sentence: " ... But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying, If I am dead, as dead I well may be, You'll come and find the place where I am lying, And kneel and say an Ave there for me. And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me, And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be, For you will bend and tell me that you love me, And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me! "
The late Andrae Crouch, a Gospel song writer, wrote a beautiful set of words that he sang to the tune, "Londonderry Air." The song is called, "He Looked Beyond My Fault." "Amazing Grace! shall always be my song of praise. For it was grace that bought my liberty. I'll never know just why Christ came to love me so; He looked beyond my fault and saw my need." CHORUS: "I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary, To view the Cross where Jesus died for me. How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul. He looked beyond my fault and saw my need." He recorded this song in a live concert he and his group did at Carnegie Hall sometime in the 1970's. It's on TH-cam (of course!) at th-cam.com/video/l6op5vXS_d4/w-d-xo.html
This takes me back! During the summer months the church I attended at the time carried a similar organ to the local park for a gospel meeting. Happy memories! Thank you!
Dear Ben. All that I can say has already been said here. In your hand is a key. 🗝🎹 But wait! What is your gray cat's name? Will he or she be featured in some of your future videos? TH-cam goes viral. Monetary support pours in. Mission Accomplished. 🙂
Well, it’s 5:45 AM on a Saturday. Coffee is brewing and I’ve spent some time listening to comforting music. Now time for some prayer and meditation. Thank you Ben.
Wonderfully filled w /history of church, countryside, ect. The church is beautiful along w/the countryside. Amazing music to inspire the soul and bring peace! ❤ Thank You. Texas Lady
I enjoy your presence as much as the music. You have such a calm demeanor. Your commentary is perfect . I love to hear about the history of the churches you visit and am amazed that they are still maintained.
Your harmonium sounded so good and at home. Thank you. You could use automobile seat belt, red one would be the right one. Scrap auto yard could give you what you need. It is indestructible, not affected by humidity and one little block of wood with screws at each end and it is good for a long time. .
I thought of a comment by George Guest of St. John's College - Cambridge fame which he recorded in his autobiography, A Guest at Cambridge. "For many people the harmonium ('Never' the late Dean Bezzant used to delight in saying, 'was an instrument more inappropriately named!') is equally abhorrent but, given an instrument in reasonable condition and an adequate technique on the part of the player (especially in the steady manipulation of the pedals supplying the wind) the harmonium still has a part to play in those places of worship which do not possess an organ." p. 183-4
Try to “link up” somehow with Rev. Robert Willis the former Dean of Canterbury Cathedral. He has a “Garden congregation “ TH-cam …started during the pandemic. His viewers ( and I suspect himself) are now scattered, would LOVE your channel and he rarely posts now. I’m sure you’d find a ready following there.
In Canada 🇨🇦, we use these lyrics: 1. Lord of all power, I give You my will, in joyful obedience Your tasks to fulfil. Your bondage is freedom, Your service is song, and, held in Your keeping, my weakness is strong. 2. Lord of all wisdom, I give You my mind, rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find. What eye has not seen and what ear has not heard... is taught by Your Spirit and shines from Your Word. 3. Lord of all bounty, I give You my heart; I praise and adore You for all you impart: Your love to inspire me, Your counsel to guide, Your presence to cheer me, whatever betide. 4. Lord of all being, I give You my all. If e'er I disown You, I stumble and fall, but, sworn in glad service Your word to obey, I walk in Your freedom to the end of the way. 🎶
What inspiration and comfort you bring through your music and the lovely churches. Thank you also for acknowledging the introvert in many of us church musicians. Peace and love to you from Ten Mile Tennessee USA!
How wonderfully played. I just love the technique of volume modulation you use for the music. You really bring out the best in that instrument; there's just so much nuanced emotion.
Thank you Ben as always for an exceptional video and a church full of history and suprises,the harmonium sounded amazing in that space ! It would be interesting to try and find where its life started, perhaps the chap you had it from could ask the auction house if they still have any details still who sent it for auction ? Just a thought.
Dear Ben the technique required to play on a one manual organ is different than on an instrument with pedals. Could we see your hands as you play a 1-manual? Thanks
Until the returning of our Lord a sanctuary for the innocent that was slain one place they can go to in peace and love and safety to know God will bring them unto himself because even under the throne they say when God win in Christ I pray thank you Lord amen
I have to laugh at you asking would your harmonium support a congregation, I belong to a church that doesn't use musical instruments. Which is great because it avoids all the ego trips that you can find in some churches, and sadly I have seen it. It's like if your eye offends the comma pluck it out. So we sing without a musical accompaniment and it's enough. Also, yesterday I showed a video of yours playing the song from Interstellar to a young friend and she said that was nice, but you wanted to know where the Bach is! She has played the organ in the Sydney Town Hall (Australia), and you old come to Australia (and New Zealand) and visit some of our churches. Sorry that the first church ever built in Sydney is long gone and that there aren't too many 200-plus year old churches. But our wee Anglican church in Pōkeno, South Auckland, may still have the harmonium that my husband's grandmother used to play. And I believe it's rumoured to have been built by some king or another's mistress! Not sure about that. But do travel! And I love Be Thou My Vision. You should hear us after a good psalmody session! Covid wrecked that, and our teacher had retired. Sadly.
As a retired disabled Anglo-Catholic Cathedral style Choirmaster and Organist living in California USA, your videos every Sunday bring me to tears! O how I miss exactly what you are doing; playing in an empty church to myself and GOD! Yes, I miss the men and boys, girls and all the other choirs I once trained! But, what I miss most of all is making music for my loving Lord and God. Ben, relish these moments for they will be with you, long after you have left this realm. Your videos bring to me and many others, the sweetest of gifts, the loveliest of memories and the visions of a heaven yet to be for eternity! - Kenneth Leon Knott
SarumChoirmaster Kenneth Leon Knott. FEEL your heartfelt love of Ben's videos. I appreciate how you miss serving God in the church. A Lifelong Anglo Catholic, I am member of StFrancis Anglican in Dallas Tx., an ACNA parish. I also miss my works for God at His church since a disability. It will be nice to share Ben's gifts !❤
I don't play but I was brought up in a CoI tradition & my father was organist & choirmaster. Ben's videos take me back to my childhood....those happy, innocent days!
From another introvert church musician... Actually I savour both playing in solitude and for the congregation - in very different ways. In solitude, it's like I'm praying with my hands. With the congregation, it's an amaziingly and uniquely unified and unifying experience. Congregational hymn singing is probably most unified experience most of us will ever have! Have to admit though, the public playing is exhausting and then i savour these moments, later on Sunday afternoon when I can relax and enjoy your gift. You are a blessing!
Once again a beautiful video. A blissfully beautiful church, a beautifully crafted story of history and the old world of England...and more and always the most important, your delightful engaging music .. Thank you for another wonderful Sunday vlog
Astonishing how there is always more to be told. Seems every inch of the land has a tale goung back millennia. So super you could take the harmonium to play in this teeny church. Loved it.
❤From county Wicklow, Ireland warmest greetings and blessings 🇮🇪☘️always! Ben, more history, more knowledge, more prayerful music. A wonderful way to relax on a beautiful Sunday evening. Thank you Ben. Fr. Noel
As an American I can really appreciate the African American spiritual Deep River. Those songs are so beautiful, forged in the time when those songs were created the black Church as a place where one hour a week, people of color could feel "free". People clung to those songs like a raft in a storm. Places like the black church helped preserve people's mental health, in a time when all odds were stacked against them and freedom seemed like a pipe dream. What a beautiful place to play it in! Thanks Ben. From one Buddhist-pagan brother to my Christian brother, with no separation whatsoever, thanks so much. 😊🙏
That little instrument with its articulation is almost human! I'll make a gentleman's bet there are times when you prefer it over a big pipe organ due to its sweetness -Ron (USA)
Laying bed with pneumonia this has has been very refreshing I thank the Lord that I found your videos, today program have been very uplifting not just the music but also the photos and your talk by the I’m on the mend only the weeks to go to be back to old self my the The Lord send you many supporters
I hope that Ray can see these videos. 😊 When he gave you the harmonium I bet he had no idea that you would use it to grace these “introvert churches” w/ heavenly music once again!!!
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. It’s hard to imagine what Henry V, the warrior king, would have made of Ben playing plainsong on a harmonium or George Pullen playing Londonderry Air. Ben is no longer organist at St Martin’s but he is giving pleasure to tens of thousands instead.
I pray that this beautiful Old Church with its rich history continues to stand. Thank you Ben for the explanation of the harmonium and although small it has a beautiful sound.
So well worth the wait, Ben. The church is a building that just seems to invite light into the interior, while at the same time glowing and sparkling when it's viewed from the outside. In short, it's a structure that seems to know exactly what to do with light... a remarkable quality in something (presumably) inanimate. And the harmonium is well matched to the building, since it knows just what to do with sound. On the day this was recorded it seemed for all the world like a mother rocking and singing a fretful child to sleep. Emotionally perfect for the circumstances -- especially for these times. What a great reflection of an Introvert Church's version of a liturgical mirror of the trinity: building + instrument + artist = a peace that passes understanding. Thank you so much.
Dear Ben, you got the jackpot with this harmonium. This travel-harmoniums are rare. Please continue and make more harmonium-videos. This are so great instruments.
Lord of all Hopefulness. ❤ Sung at my wedding. Family funerals and now the community choir I sing with is often asked for it to be sung at weddings. An old favourite.
As a person who has devoted her life to church music as a singer, organist, and music director, I understand and share your preference for playing in empty churches. Now retired, I get to sub for my organist friends. Naturally, that involves practicing in many different empty churches. Thank you, Ben. These videos feed my soul.
Now 70years young, whilst learning the piano as a boy I started playing the harmonium for Sunday school. I later progressed to the small one manual pipe organ in the church. This was in the 1960s in Newcastle NSW Australia. Unfortunately the church was demolished after the 1989 earthquake and having since moved to Sydney I have no knowledge of what became of these instruments. These days I play modern midi keyboards with many virtual instruments. I still however remember fondly, the sounds and touch of these instruments of my youth. Your playing brought back these lovely memories for me. Thanks Ben.
Lord Of All Hopefulness, a beautiful hymn, one of my (many) favourites, I always enjoy singing it at mass on a Sunday. Wonderfully and movingly played Ben.
What a lovely, thoughtful video! The stained glass windows were so beautiful and I appreciate your sharing their history with us. You put so much thought and care into your videos, I feel very blessed to have found your channel and look forward to your new video each week. Your work is well worth supporting!
And you can take comfort in the knowledge that you had quite a lot to do with the fact that we're able to relax into that peace and breathe. Thank you, Ray!
Montana is quite the desert when it comes to beautiful churches and oregan music! Thanks for the glimpse of old England and the beautiful churches. Best of all playing the organ in the spirit of another age.
Fifield Bavant - The Smallest Church in Wiltshire. It’s one if my favourites and I didn’t see any dogs. I guess you edited them out!! You looked like you were having such fun all by yourself. And then a surprise visitor arrived - Its perfect. It qualifies as an introvert church I’m sure. I know it’s an old episode but you did mention it! Liz❤
My favorite episode yet? Quite possibly. The harmonium sounds glorious, and with the beautiful stained glass? More incredible than any cathedral. Thank you, Ben, you bring beauty to our world. ❤
I understand your feelings being an introverted musician. Being an 81 year old pianist who strictly plays for my own enjoyment I agree with your enjoyment in performing for your own satisfation. Truly look forward to your weekly offering.
My goodness, Ben. Why did I not learn to play the harmonium? In my 70's I'm tempted, if I could only find a teacher! The sound is BEAUTIFUL. 'Be thou my vision'...'Londonderry Air' ........heavenly! This video is THE BEST! 👍
The old harmonious does have a fine sound at your hand. The repairs do add a certain character to the instrument. We are hearing of strange political events in the sacred isle. You bring a great image of peace and tradition. Thank you!
An episode filled with such beauty and tranquility. I adore this little church in every way. The stained glass windows are truly beautiful, with tender image of mother and child, surrounded by purple hues and floral motifs. I thought your choices for music and poetry were perfectly suited and were executed with such heart and soul as always! You possess a gift for bringing places to life. Also, I am definitely stealing the ‘introvert church’ term. I have to say in my own personal experience, I have found that venturing to a few of these ‘introvert churches’ in the North has occasionally resulted in calamity…my car wheel stuck in a ditch, single track roads with no parking, my car stuck in the mud in a farmer’s field, a very isolated location in the dead of Winter, lost in fog on tiny country roads etc…maybe it’s just me!?
Deep River ❤❤❤❤ love it! Beautiful and thank you for sharing 😊love the songs ! How Great Art Thou! I would love you hear you play Irish Song from County Derry ❤
Another great post, Ben. I so enjoyed all the musical selections played on the simple but appropriate harmonium. Beautiful church; beautiful surroundings; beautiful music. Thank you so much for your dedication to providing wonderful history and music to your many followers.
It might be worth considering how the various venues you visit for your work could benefit in some meaningful way from your use of their space. Maybe some soft of collaboration with the British Pilgrimage Trust. Just a thought.
i am so happy. Lord of All Hopefulness played so beautifully was a treat. pulling stops along the route you really made the b&m sound its best. thanks ;-)
Introvert Church. Nathanial Hawthorn wrote of forests in the mountains as a cathedral, not bothered with priests or parishioners; where every soul has the direct connection with the creator.
I love all your videos but this one is my favourite. I absolutely loved hearing your harmonium played in this beautiful, peaceful church. I love the song By Thou My Vision and best of all back at St. Martins when you played How Great Thou Art. Whenever I sing that song, be it in Church, out in the backyard watering the garden or, now, you playing it, my heart feels glad. It was my Grandmother's favourite hymn and we sang it at her funeral. Not only are the words beautiful and so full of praise but I think of my dear Grandmother every time I hear it. This is one I will keep coming back to see, I'm sure.
I really enjoy your videos. Beyond the principle organ-related content, the narration and videography are first rate. I recently watched an ambitious 2022 French production which is currently available on TH-cam in a German language version (Die Magie der Orgel) which attempts to present the history of the organ in about 90 minutes. The film had the full resources of a highly funded public broadcaster behind it. Yet I think your videos are more engaging, compelling and entertaining.
I'm amazed at the truly magnificent and glorious sounds produced by that old portable organ. What a treasure you have found. 🙏
The sound was fabulous in the hymn "Be Thou My Vision"!
Ben, I love you. Your music moves me to tears. I love the old churches of England the glory of God that is expressed through your music. Oh my Ben thank you thank you thank from some American
I am a member of St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN, USA. We are a community in formation of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, i.e. former Anglicans in full communion now with the Catholic Church. We hope someday to have our own church building, rather than share space in a modern church of the local Archdiocese. Would that we had something as small as this church, built of stone, and filled with such beautiful sounds! 🙏
25:26 Comparisons that flashed through my head in chronological order before I heard the final word of your sentence:
1 cows
2 chickens 🥚🐣🐥
3 bulls🐂 🎯
4 sheep/ goats
But not doggos. That would never have occurred to me. 😻💛🐶
What a tiny perfect church. All the features on the outside give it such character.
The only thing I missed, and yes I know I am wanting too much, was a little sounding of the bell...
Your University should create an archive of these historical video documentaries.
Thank you again for your glimpse into England's green and pleasant land...
Benjamin, I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to witness a male organist without the narcissist and, far too often, vicious ego.. And I know more than a few of them…. Especially enjoyed your phrasing on the harmonium (a lovely instrument - in the great long ago I learned to play - self taught - on an old reed organ in my grandmother’s home). Young man, you are indeed a “Master of the Manuals”.. Wishing you and yours all the very best in health, laughter and love that life may offer. Best wishes, this day, and always from Yakima, Washington, U.S.A. Wm.
"Be Thou My Vision" was beautiful ! We sang it at church this morning. I play the Moller pipe organ and Steinway grand there. I've been a church musician 48 of my 62 years!
Be thou my vision, has to be my most favourite hymn. We were walking along a path into a horseshoe valley, all of a sudden that hymn could be heard being played on a harp and a violin. Spooky was not the word. As we rounded the bend we saw two people sat on a huge boulder. They had been practicing for a concert later on that day in the valley.
I love old songs and the older the better. This is a great video. Thanks.
O Come, O Come, Immanuel is old!
You make that little Harmonium sing like a person.❤
this video was so wonderful. and you made me so happy with how great thou art! I sang along and it made me tear up. Our God is so good.
Danny Boy / Londonderry Air (22:20) is a very difficult piece of music for me as my mother has requested it for her funeral. It makes me sad but I also love it for the last sentence:
" ... But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me! "
Incredible words that hit me like a thunderbolt.
The late Andrae Crouch, a Gospel song writer, wrote a beautiful set of words that he sang to the tune, "Londonderry Air." The song is called, "He Looked Beyond My Fault."
"Amazing Grace! shall always be my song of praise.
For it was grace that bought my liberty.
I'll never know just why Christ came to love me so;
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need."
CHORUS:
"I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary,
To view the Cross where Jesus died for me.
How marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul.
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need."
He recorded this song in a live concert he and his group did at Carnegie Hall sometime in the 1970's. It's on TH-cam (of course!) at th-cam.com/video/l6op5vXS_d4/w-d-xo.html
Such beautiful words.....🌈
Thank you for sharing these beautiful lyrics!🎶
This takes me back! During the summer months the church I attended at the time carried a similar organ to the local park for a gospel meeting. Happy memories! Thank you!
Thanks Ben for the share of days gone by, to bad they don't use these Chuches ..england needs a Revial
Dear Ben. All that I can say has already been said here. In your hand is a key. 🗝🎹
But wait! What is your gray cat's name? Will he or she be featured in some of your future videos? TH-cam goes viral. Monetary support pours in. Mission Accomplished. 🙂
so nice that you are spreading Christian chants, that's it, may the Lord be with you
Well, it’s 5:45 AM on a Saturday. Coffee is brewing and I’ve spent some time listening to comforting music. Now time for some prayer and meditation.
Thank you Ben.
Pleasure. More to come.
Wonderfully filled w /history of church, countryside, ect. The church is beautiful along w/the countryside. Amazing music to inspire the soul and bring peace! ❤ Thank You.
Texas Lady
Beautiful music! From the video, your little harmonium is in need or some lemon oil to condition the wood as it appears to be very dry.
It also looks like it could use a good dusting, as you can see his finger marks on the top.
@@russbetts1467 I didn't remark on the dust as Ben has to cart his harmonium all over the countryside on a trolley.
Once again, you have made the most beautiful music and wonderful video! Thank you and may God continue to bless you!!
I enjoy your presence as much as the music. You have such a calm demeanor. Your commentary is perfect . I love to hear about the history of the churches you visit and am amazed that they are still maintained.
Your harmonium sounded so good and at home. Thank you. You could use automobile seat belt, red one would be the right one. Scrap auto yard could give you what you need. It is indestructible, not affected by humidity and one little block of wood with screws at each end and it is good for a long time. .
Ben. What a wonderful treat to hear you playing a favourite of mine on your wee organ.🤗🤗🥰🥰💕💕
Ben what your doing is much appreciated I so enjoy your videos from across the pond, keep up the history ❤ 27:52
Thank you for sharing your gifts and your beautiful country.
Can we at some point have a tour of the fishing lodge?
Its years since i heard Be Thou My vision❤
I thought of a comment by George Guest of St. John's College - Cambridge fame which he recorded in his autobiography, A Guest at Cambridge. "For many people the harmonium ('Never' the late Dean Bezzant used to delight in saying, 'was an instrument more inappropriately named!') is equally abhorrent but, given an instrument in reasonable condition and an adequate technique on the part of the player (especially in the steady manipulation of the pedals supplying the wind) the harmonium still has a part to play in those places of worship which do not possess an organ." p. 183-4
Lovely music. Reminds me of the little country church I grew up in, in the U.S.
I love your treadle harmonium‼️
Londonderry Air was glorious!! ❤
Try to “link up” somehow with Rev. Robert Willis the former Dean of Canterbury Cathedral. He has a “Garden congregation “ TH-cam …started during the pandemic. His viewers ( and I suspect himself) are now scattered, would LOVE your channel and he rarely posts now. I’m sure you’d find a ready following there.
Dear Ben,
THANK YOU.
Your weekly video is anxiously awaited, as it brings peace and harmony in an otherwise upside down world.
Kind regards
D+W fm SA
In Canada 🇨🇦, we use these lyrics:
1. Lord of all power, I give You my will,
in joyful obedience Your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, Your service is song,
and, held in Your keeping, my weakness is strong.
2. Lord of all wisdom, I give You my mind,
rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find.
What eye has not seen and what ear has not heard...
is taught by Your Spirit and shines from Your Word.
3. Lord of all bounty, I give You my heart;
I praise and adore You for all you impart:
Your love to inspire me, Your counsel to guide,
Your presence to cheer me, whatever betide.
4. Lord of all being, I give You my all.
If e'er I disown You, I stumble and fall,
but, sworn in glad service Your word to obey,
I walk in Your freedom to the end of the way. 🎶
Powerful resonance. Delightful programmes.
What inspiration and comfort you bring through your music and the lovely churches. Thank you also for acknowledging the introvert in many of us church musicians. Peace and love to you from Ten Mile Tennessee USA!
Yes, the 'Introvert - church', just what I feel. I understand. And I love the 'Danny-boy", of coarse.
Looks as it the Harmonium could do with a good dust😊
How wonderfully played. I just love the technique of volume modulation you use for the music. You really bring out the best in that instrument; there's just so much nuanced emotion.
Great music and beautiful church.
Thank you Ben as always for an exceptional video and a church full of history and suprises,the harmonium sounded amazing in that space ! It would be interesting to try and find where its life started, perhaps the chap you had it from could ask the auction house if they still have any details still who sent it for auction ? Just a thought.
perfect video Ben.
Dear Ben
the technique required to play on a one manual organ is different than on an instrument with pedals. Could we see your hands as you play a 1-manual? Thanks
❤
Until the returning of our Lord a sanctuary for the innocent that was slain one place they can go to in peace and love and safety to know God will bring them unto himself because even under the throne they say when God win in Christ I pray thank you Lord amen
For all you know, the organ might have been previously used for belting out bawdy songs in a pub...
Thank you, Ben, for another great episode!
Thanks!
Ben I enjoyed SLANE more than anything
What was the arrangement? Improv? I loved it.
I have to laugh at you asking would your harmonium support a congregation, I belong to a church that doesn't use musical instruments. Which is great because it avoids all the ego trips that you can find in some churches, and sadly I have seen it. It's like if your eye offends the comma pluck it out. So we sing without a musical accompaniment and it's enough. Also, yesterday I showed a video of yours playing the song from Interstellar to a young friend and she said that was nice, but you wanted to know where the Bach is! She has played the organ in the Sydney Town Hall (Australia), and you old come to Australia (and New Zealand) and visit some of our churches. Sorry that the first church ever built in Sydney is long gone and that there aren't too many 200-plus year old churches. But our wee Anglican church in Pōkeno, South Auckland, may still have the harmonium that my husband's grandmother used to play. And I believe it's rumoured to have been built by some king or another's mistress! Not sure about that. But do travel! And I love Be Thou My Vision. You should hear us after a good psalmody session! Covid wrecked that, and our teacher had retired. Sadly.
I like your comment: "if your eye offends the comma, pluck it out". This seems to be the dominant theme today!
As a retired disabled Anglo-Catholic Cathedral style Choirmaster and Organist living in California USA, your videos every Sunday bring me to tears! O how I miss exactly what you are doing; playing in an empty church to myself and GOD! Yes, I miss the men and boys, girls and all the other choirs I once trained! But, what I miss most of all is making music for my loving Lord and God. Ben, relish these moments for they will be with you, long after you have left this realm. Your videos bring to me and many others, the sweetest of gifts, the loveliest of memories and the visions of a heaven yet to be for eternity! - Kenneth Leon Knott
Well said I know how ufeel❤
SarumChoirmaster Kenneth Leon Knott. FEEL your heartfelt love of Ben's videos. I appreciate how you miss serving God in the church. A Lifelong Anglo Catholic, I am member of StFrancis Anglican in Dallas Tx., an ACNA parish. I also miss my works for God at His church since a disability. It will be nice to share Ben's gifts !❤
@@MaryAnnLaRue😊😊😊
I don't play but I was brought up in a CoI tradition & my father was organist & choirmaster. Ben's videos take me back to my childhood....those happy, innocent days!
love your videos. Thank you so much. Peaceful and beautiful. Beautiful English countryside
From another introvert church musician... Actually I savour both playing in solitude and for the congregation - in very different ways. In solitude, it's like I'm praying with my hands. With the congregation, it's an amaziingly and uniquely unified and unifying experience. Congregational hymn singing is probably most unified experience most of us will ever have! Have to admit though, the public playing is exhausting and then i savour these moments, later on Sunday afternoon when I can relax and enjoy your gift. You are a blessing!
Playing "Deep River" on this harmonium was a perfect choice. Beautiful and interesting!
Once again a beautiful video.
A blissfully beautiful church, a beautifully crafted story of history and the old world of England...and more and always the most important, your delightful engaging music ..
Thank you for another wonderful Sunday vlog
I don't have words to describe how beautiful it was when you played the Kyrie on that church, really amazing.
Almost 4400 views and less than 900 "likes". Come on, folks, the least we can do is give the man a "thumb up".
We enjoy each week your diversity and variety of each week…we love it…thank you Ben
We had “be thou my vision” at our wedding over 60 years ago. Lovely.
How lovely 🌹 It's my favorite hymn
Astonishing how there is always more to be told. Seems every inch of the land has a tale goung back millennia. So super you could take the harmonium to play in this teeny church. Loved it.
Grace to you
❤From county Wicklow, Ireland warmest greetings and blessings 🇮🇪☘️always! Ben, more history, more knowledge, more prayerful music.
A wonderful way to relax on a beautiful Sunday evening. Thank you Ben. Fr. Noel
What a lovely and peaceful spot. Be Thou My Vision is a favorite of mine.
As an American I can really appreciate the African American spiritual Deep River. Those songs are so beautiful, forged in the time when those songs were created the black Church as a place where one hour a week, people of color could feel "free". People clung to those songs like a raft in a storm. Places like the black church helped preserve people's mental health, in a time when all odds were stacked against them and freedom seemed like a pipe dream. What a beautiful place to play it in! Thanks Ben. From one Buddhist-pagan brother to my Christian brother, with no separation whatsoever, thanks so much. 😊🙏
That little instrument with its articulation is almost human! I'll make a gentleman's bet there are times when you prefer it over a big pipe organ due to its sweetness -Ron (USA)
Laying bed with pneumonia this has has been very refreshing I thank the Lord that I found your videos, today program have been very uplifting not just the music but also the photos and your talk by the I’m on the mend only the weeks to go to be back to old self my the The Lord send you many supporters
I hope that Ray can see these videos. 😊 When he gave you the harmonium I bet he had no idea that you would use it to grace these “introvert churches” w/ heavenly music once again!!!
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. It’s hard to imagine what Henry V, the warrior king, would have made of Ben playing plainsong on a harmonium or George Pullen playing Londonderry Air. Ben is no longer organist at St Martin’s but he is giving pleasure to tens of thousands instead.
I pray that this beautiful Old Church with its rich history continues to stand. Thank you Ben for the explanation of the harmonium and although small it has a beautiful sound.
So well worth the wait, Ben. The church is a building that just seems to invite light into the interior, while at the same time glowing and sparkling when it's viewed from the outside. In short, it's a structure that seems to know exactly what to do with light... a remarkable quality in something (presumably) inanimate.
And the harmonium is well matched to the building, since it knows just what to do with sound. On the day this was recorded it seemed for all the world like a mother rocking and singing a fretful child to sleep. Emotionally perfect for the circumstances -- especially for these times. What a great reflection of an Introvert Church's version of a liturgical mirror of the trinity: building + instrument + artist = a peace that passes understanding. Thank you so much.
Dear Ben,
you got the jackpot with this harmonium. This travel-harmoniums are rare.
Please continue and make more harmonium-videos. This are so great instruments.
What a beautiful gem of a church. Thanks so much for sharing it with us ❤
Introvert church! Love it!
I have to tell you how very much I love your channel-the beautiful scenery and gorgeous music. Thank you so much, Ben!! It’s so lovely!!💖
Lord of all Hopefulness. ❤ Sung at my wedding. Family funerals and now the community choir I sing with is often asked for it to be sung at weddings. An old favourite.
Magical, sanity in torrid world.
As a person who has devoted her life to church music as a singer, organist, and music director, I understand and share your preference for playing in empty churches. Now retired, I get to sub for my organist friends. Naturally, that involves practicing in many different empty churches. Thank you, Ben. These videos feed my soul.
Now 70years young, whilst learning the piano as a boy I started playing the harmonium for Sunday school. I later progressed to the small one manual pipe organ in the church. This was in the 1960s in Newcastle NSW Australia. Unfortunately the church was demolished after the 1989 earthquake and having since moved to Sydney I have no knowledge of what became of these instruments. These days I play modern midi keyboards with many virtual instruments. I still however remember fondly, the sounds and touch of these instruments of my youth. Your playing brought back these lovely memories for me. Thanks Ben.
Exceptional
Lord Of All Hopefulness, a beautiful hymn, one of my (many) favourites, I always enjoy singing it at mass on a Sunday. Wonderfully and movingly played Ben.
What a lovely, thoughtful video! The stained glass windows were so beautiful and I appreciate your sharing their history with us. You put so much thought and care into your videos, I feel very blessed to have found your channel and look forward to your new video each week. Your work is well worth supporting!
your peace in our hearts Lord, at the end of the day............... nice
And you can take comfort in the knowledge that you had quite a lot to do with the fact that we're able to relax into that peace and breathe. Thank you, Ray!
You have such a calming voice.
Thank you kindly for another great video.
Ben could read the phone book and I'd be avidly watching and listening every week. His soothing voice brings peace to my soul.
Montana is quite the desert when it comes to beautiful churches and oregan music! Thanks for the glimpse of old England and the beautiful churches. Best of all playing the organ in the spirit of another age.
Folk tunes. Introvert church. Yes, we are on the same page. Carry on, Ben! 🎶
Fifield Bavant - The Smallest Church in Wiltshire. It’s one if my favourites and I didn’t see any dogs. I guess you edited them out!!
You looked like you were having such fun all by yourself. And then a surprise visitor arrived - Its perfect. It qualifies as an introvert church I’m sure.
I know it’s an old episode but you did mention it!
Liz❤
My favorite episode yet? Quite possibly. The harmonium sounds glorious, and with the beautiful stained glass? More incredible than any cathedral. Thank you, Ben, you bring beauty to our world. ❤
Pleased to hear it. Thanks.
I understand your feelings being an introverted musician. Being an 81 year old pianist who strictly plays for my own enjoyment I agree with your enjoyment in performing for your own satisfation. Truly look forward to your weekly offering.
My goodness, Ben. Why did I not learn to play the harmonium? In my 70's I'm tempted, if I could only find a teacher! The sound is BEAUTIFUL. 'Be thou my vision'...'Londonderry Air' ........heavenly! This video is THE BEST! 👍
The old harmonious does have a fine sound at your hand. The repairs do add a certain character to the instrument. We are hearing of strange political events in the sacred isle. You bring a great image of peace and tradition. Thank you!
Once again, thanks so much for another soul refreshing video! You do wonderful work!
An episode filled with such beauty and tranquility. I adore this little church in every way. The stained glass windows are truly beautiful, with tender image of mother and child, surrounded by purple hues and floral motifs.
I thought your choices for music and poetry were perfectly suited and were executed with such heart and soul as always! You possess a gift for bringing places to life.
Also, I am definitely stealing the ‘introvert church’ term. I have to say in my own personal experience, I have found that venturing to a few of these ‘introvert churches’ in the North has occasionally resulted in calamity…my car wheel stuck in a ditch, single track roads with no parking, my car stuck in the mud in a farmer’s field, a very isolated location in the dead of Winter, lost in fog on tiny country roads etc…maybe it’s just me!?
Deep River ❤❤❤❤ love it! Beautiful and thank you for sharing 😊love the songs ! How Great Art Thou! I would love you hear you play Irish Song from County Derry ❤
Another great post, Ben. I so enjoyed all the musical selections played on the simple but appropriate harmonium. Beautiful church; beautiful surroundings; beautiful music. Thank you so much for your dedication to providing wonderful history and music to your many followers.
It might be worth considering how the various venues you visit for your work could benefit in some meaningful way from your use of their space. Maybe some soft of collaboration with the British Pilgrimage Trust. Just a thought.
i am so happy. Lord of All Hopefulness played so beautifully was a treat. pulling stops along the route you really made the b&m sound its best. thanks ;-)
Introvert Church. Nathanial Hawthorn wrote of forests in the mountains as a cathedral, not bothered with priests or parishioners; where every soul has the direct connection with the creator.
Beautiful episode, visually and musically as well as the commentary. The instrument sounds great when recorded in the church.
I love all your videos but this one is my favourite. I absolutely loved hearing your harmonium played in this beautiful, peaceful church. I love the song By Thou My Vision and best of all back at St. Martins when you played How Great Thou Art. Whenever I sing that song, be it in Church, out in the backyard watering the garden or, now, you playing it, my heart feels glad. It was my Grandmother's favourite hymn and we sang it at her funeral. Not only are the words beautiful and so full of praise but I think of my dear Grandmother every time I hear it. This is one I will keep coming back to see, I'm sure.
I really enjoy your videos. Beyond the principle organ-related content, the narration and videography are first rate. I recently watched an ambitious 2022 French production which is currently available on TH-cam in a German language version (Die Magie der Orgel) which attempts to present the history of the organ in about 90 minutes. The film had the full resources of a highly funded public broadcaster behind it. Yet I think your videos are more engaging, compelling and entertaining.