Hi Ben. I have family over and we just finished listening to you after lunch. My 98 yr old aunt was teary-eyed. She loved this since her retirement home lost its musical director. I cant thank you enough and this was just what everyone here needed to top off their day.
Without those beautiful churches the landscape would be so much poorer. And of course we need organists like Ben to deliver us beautiful music. Something aesthetic and something for the soul
Always appreciate Bach especially. As a pianist, let me say a few words in defence of the instrument: sonorous overtones, enhanced by the sustain pedal, percussive finger responsive hammers attuned to the touch of the player, harp-like rolled chords and arpeggios, bell-like chiming octaves, twinkling upper registers, vicious attack or whispered chords... I could go on. This is not to say that I like the organ any less though, just thought I'd stick up for the poor old piano. LOVED the video as always. God bless.
Yes, piano was my first instrument, at 5 years old. Only later did I add the harp and organ. I love all three instruments, and Ben plays two of them very well. Will he add harp to the mix?
Yes, this is very well said. I am a pianist (started at age 5 and a piano major in college) and an organist (started around age 20) and I love them both equally. The organ undoubtedly can get a larger range of sounds due to all the stops and different keyboards. But the piano can offer a range of sounds as well, but in a different way. By how you strike the keys. And also, with the soft pedal, not only is it slightly softer, but it works by shifting the hammers over so they strike less strings which gives you a slightly thinner sound. So if used in the right way, you can almost create a sense of the effect of switching keyboards on an organ. Thank you for this comment. And thank you for the videos, Ben. I look forward to them every week. And I enjoy the musical conversation.
Thank you for your informative, beautiful, amusing but most of all inspiring videos. There is such beauty in our countryside and churches that we are in danger of taking for granted. I have just finished walking with girls friends 250 miles from Groombridge to the Pilgrims Way and beyond. We are all in our 70’s and over a period of time we have walked to the Cathedrals of Rochester, Canterbury, Southwark, Guildford and Winchester. 5 cathedrals, 65 parish churches and 2 priories. We have such history right on our doorsteps. The churches give us social history, geographical history, spiritual history and the gift of music. Please carry on giving us a taste of culture and sanity in a world which often is missing these precious gifts.
Greetings Ben! I love your videos! They are so caring and personal. You have a gift for communicating warmly through your sharing of heart and soul and humor. I love when you walk filming through the English countryside. I have longed since a child to visit England, esp. the countryside. Through the outdoor adventures, as you trek to show the churches and organs, I receive a gift of some semblance of a dream come true. I also was a country church organist, starting to accompany my childhood parish at the age of 13. It is so heartwarming to relive the cold conditions and such in the church as you educate the audience about how we endure discomforts at times when we go to practice in the winter and all. In my parish, we had a nice warming furnace and how delightful to up the thermostat upon arrival for practice or Mass and feel the warmth build while in the choir loft with the organ. Such great memories of my blessed time alone in the church and then other churches as well. I played for Mass, funerals and weddings in new parishes I joined upon marrying and raising a family for 40 years. You are a natural to recognize a such worthy and important subject as in the culture/history of organs, music and churches. Even the technical looks at the functioning of organs/keyboards are valuable. All of this plants seeds and bears fruit. Your videos nourish hungry hearts seeking a dignified and fresh touch to share and enjoy our humanity.
It is a quarter past 4 in the afternoon in a south eastern corner of the state of New York - 35 miles far from the bustling city of NYC. Here it is rather grey and quiet. Your poetry and music and videos fill the silence with a warm peace despite the serendipity of a stuck note. You kept your mind and ears open for opportunity despite the annoying interruption. From that moment of grace came a new work, based on four simple yet poignant chords. Thank you for sharing it all with us. I anxiously await next Sunday's organ premiere of this untitled work. I hope this coming week will inspire you as much as this brief "interruption" has inspired you. See you next week Ben!
Ben, your perseverance is phenomenal. To cross those frozen fields with the prospect of repeating the trek loaded down with cameras and whatnot is not to be envied, Thank you for being so determined. And what a surprise to see you sitting at a piano. It was a little difficult to accept the 'thinner' sound of the piano when my brain was expecting the 'wrap-around' sound of an organ, but I got there. But lo! A second surprise! Your new piece is so very different from any of your other pieces. It was interesting to watch you compose and I'm anxious to hear it next week on the organ in Devon. And let me add that the poetry you choose and the heartbreakingly beautiful countryside you bring us are as moving as you could possibly hope. Thank you, Ben, for an exceptionally interesting and enjoyable video, A real mid-winter boon.🥰❤
Give Ben a like he will be helped by this if you enjoy his work the number of views don’t show this show how much you like what he does just an admirer of this entertainment
The brothers Maton are indeed a comfort delivered so generously with each weekly visit. Bless you for all that you add to our lives. Ben, I hope your finger is better.😊
Ben, you have the most wonderful outlook on life. Your videos, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you, are always successful. Thank you for another delightful Sunday afternoon touring parts of England's countryside that I may never get to walk accompanied by your beautiful music and cheerful narration. We are all blessed to view your presentations. PS you are a natural teacher.
I am starting to like the organ more and more. It helps to hear all the information you give. Such a beautiful, rich instrument and so versatile. I also like the imperfections and that every organ has its own personality. Abide with me always brings me to tears. When my older brother and I were small, our parents put us to bed with that song and we sung it together. I never knew it was often sung at funerals untill I was in my forties, but I hope they sing it at my funeral with the words we sung when we were small. Today they sing it with different words in my country. I wanted to sing it solo, with my brother at the organ, at my mothers funeral but that was too much and I never did.
Yes, these videos just keep getting better and better. Getting home from church each Sunday evening, they accompany my evening cuppa. Thank you for all the work and effort you put into making these enjoyable and blessed videos. Every blessing to you as you continue your work and labour of love. Ruth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. God bless you and your brother Billy richly. Ps sending you and little towards your work via post. Thanks from Belfast
I understand your feelings about the range of sound on the organ as opposed to the piano, but as a pianist I'm partial to the expressive quality of the piano. When played with pianistic technique it is stunningly beautiful. I enjoy sensitively played organ as well and in my dabblings at the organ I must say the huge sounds available on some large church organs are thrilling! I so enjoy your videos and I'm glad to be a subscriber! Thank you.
Ben, you play the piano very well! It just goes to show that a true musician can transfer their talent and knowledge to another instrument. We enjoyed this one immensely, especially the beautiful countryside and poetry. Thank you for another great video! Love & Hugs from North Carolina, USA
Cracking video, Ben! I’ve at last managed to sit down and watch it all the way through. Absolutely love it, especially your performance of Bach’s Prelude in G minor at St Mary’s, Alderbury - superb! The walks over the fields on the way to the church - beautiful and really atmospheric - and the colour of your coat adds welcome warmth to the images - good choice - and nicely enhances your colouring onscreen too. The poetry readings - what wonderful words - I just closed my eyes and listened - bliss - thank you! And then the final cliffhanger when you couldn’t get into the church - oh!!! And now we’re all on the edge of our seats wondering when we’ll get to see and hear the latest creation from the Salisbury Organist! Can’t wait for the next instalment in this exciting winter adventure!
In a world increasingly full of anxiety, violence. With hard people and strife you bring peace and joy of living. I don't know how you do it but you find places I would love to walk and enjoy the peace and solitude of but with no people! Where I live if I go out to hike somewhere it may be lovely with iconic views but there are always people. Keep making these treasures.
Grand to see a Broadwood & Sons piano and not Yamaha slop. Beethoven was famously gifted a Broadwood in 1818, and he cherished it most of all his pianos -- even if he could only approximate its tone (in his deafness) by biting on a metal bar attached to it and feeling the vibrations. The history of keyboard manuals mashes up nicely here with the historic English places our Salisbury organist often visits.
So interesting. I wrote a comment yesterday around 10:00 a.m. It never showed up in here-therefore I will try again. I truly enjoyed this video Ben & Billy. I grew up playing piano; became a piano teacher; then found an opportunity to learn the organ. I'm not saying that it was easy, nor that I'm concert-worthy. 🙂I personally enjoy both instruments (and many more) but my preference is the organ. I intuitively seem to adapt to the multiple levels. I'm looking forward to your improvisational piece that arose from the stuck key situation. I also enjoyed the landscape and the church inside and out. Keep progressing forward. Charlene
I wanted to compliment you on the sound of your recordings.From your journey to discovery of the church then esp to the sound of the organ! When my wife and I turn it up on our sound system it sounds so rich and moving. Great Job! Very pro. Your Un named piece is great, moody. and I love when you don't edit out the mishaps.
I wish you would recite poetry more often. You do a great job in speaking and selecting your choices. With your sensitive appreciation of poetry, you should be writing some of your own.
Discovering your channel was truly a gift! I'm in awe of all the lovely old churches you show us. I am reminded of rural Minnesota, where I grew up, and the country churches which had the same rustic organs you so lovingly play.
As a Bach-loving Jew, I paid less attention to the liturgical works (chorales, masses etc) but was delighted by your warm rendition of "Abide with me." I first heard it in the 2002 horror flick "28 Days Later" also based in London.
As Ben said in one of his videos some months ago, introverts aren’t shy. I suspect most introverts are not comfortable speaking or performing in front of a large live audience. I am sure for me it would be far easier speaking to an invisible audience on RUclips. I love to rewatch his very first videos from Advent and Christmas 2023, and early 2024. I am constantly impressed with how good they are and how comfortable he seems, even though it was when he had only made half a dozen episodes.
And Baroque organists often practiced on two-manual harpsichords with pedalboard. The kind of instrument you might have in your cozy home when the church is bone cold in the winter. Interesting how people learn to do with what they have.
Ben may we expect your talent to result in new original music? I think most of us would agree that you certainly have the ability; and talent to create a wonderful piece of music.
Your substitutions are a thing of beauty. The keyboard layout is the only thing that is the same with organ & piano. For a real challenge try an accordion - reeds, wind, keyboard. Just like an organ? Maybe not but all fabulously fun. Love what you do. It's a joy to see how your mind works.
Great job. I love how you switched between piano and organ. We all know some pieces don't translate well between the piano and organ. It's like the difference between a manual and automatic transmission. One you're going to get a little more power. The other you will get a little more smoother ride.
Moved by the scenery would be an understatement! I literally got chills listening to you reading the poem in the opening. Even though you weren't able to get back into the church, the landscape you walked through was so beautiful and added so much to the video -- it is absolutely sublime. Fantastic poetry choices, beautiful organ, and beautiful composition!
Oh so very thankful you are bringing attention to these beautiful old churches and their organs each has a personality all their own and it is a joy to listen to you bring it out. They are a lot like people each one is like discovering a new friend. You have found a beautiful combination of nature and music ....an it takes someone attune to both to make them flow so beautifully together. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” ― John Muir
Having watched many of your videos, the absence of pianos from all the churches you visit has really surprised me. Here in America, at least in the south where I'm at, the piano is ubiquitous. Every church has a piano, but only the largest churches (over 300 people) have organs. Almost all of those are electric. When a church actually does have an organ, they are always used alongside a piano. In America, the piano is the superhero and the organ is a sidekick. I wonder why that is? I play piano at my church and I've never had the opportunity to play an organ, but love the sound.
Hi Ben & Billy. I grew up in the south of the United States. What is called the Bible belt. As a child in the choir I was exposed to both the organ & piano; sometimes while singing the same song. The organ was predominant, but the piano had a major role also. I had a piano at home, so my early training was on the piano. Later I became a piano teacher, but I always loved the beautiful organ sounds. When the opportunity to own an organ came up, I jumped at it with joy. I found an organ teacher and pursued this instrument at night while still teaching piano during the day. It did feel odd at first, especially the footwork, and the keys felt different, but I persisted and while I don't claim to play as well as you, Ben, I can adapt to either instrument. It did my heart good to see you play the piano as well. I look forward to hearing your composition. I am also an artist & a photographer, so I am enamored by the pastoral scenes you show us. I love horses. There was one in the field. Wonderful poetry selections. 😊The facade of the church was stunning, and the interior even more so. Thank you, Billy, for the assist. The piano is less full-bodied than the organ, but each instrument has its own place in the execution of melody. Aren't we the same? Keep up the exquisite music. Charlene
the other main difference between organ and pianoforte is in the name: if you hit a piano key gently it plays piano, extra gentle gives a pianissimo, and when you give the key a bit more energy it plays forte
Hi Ben, I noticed your metronome, and I think mine is the same. Mine belonged to my great grandmother. The brand name is 'Metronome De Maelzel'. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent. You have many gifts and I appreciate the care and thought you put in each video. Thank you 😊
What a delight! Love the new composition and am looking forward to hearing you play it on an organ. Enjoyed your piano rendition of "Abide with Me"! Love the poetry! Love the church! Love the countryside! Love the way you respond to setbacks! Kudos!
Also love the way you do not assume everyone who might enjoy what you offer has a shared level of basic organ knowledge and, so, include basic teaching along with all the rest you bring!
Thank you. A really special video, now added to my list of favourites! Inspiring poetry, landscape, church & of course music. I am so excited to hear your new piece, it sounds so good! It must be such an emotional & connected feeling to play music with your siblings…I enjoyed it when Billy joined you on the piano, a sibling spark! Your playing of the Bach piece was magnificent & considering how cold your hands were with all those very intricate parts, amazing! Interesting comparison between piano & organ, it demonstrated how very different they are. Thank you so much for these wonderful, wonderful videos & I am so sorry that I’m not in a position to give financially. I do look forward to them every Sunday & feel so connected to the content. Such solace from modern day disconnect.
Sadly, Ken, very few rural churches in France even have an organ. The Roman church does not use music in anything like the same way as that developed by the Anglicans. The main problem, of course, is that they only really have one, all-purpose form of service, 'the mass'.
The Catholic Church has hymns at Mass. I live in New Zealand, sadly not many churches have organs. We have choirs and electric pianos. I am really enjoying these videos. Thank you.
Your tours are always engaging, Ben. 'So glad that Billy was able to supply the base-pedals portion of your unnamed composition. I look forward to the full performance next week. Bravo, Sirs!
Hi Ben I so enjoy watching your videos here in New Zealand. We watch it on a Monday night and yes I do enjoy your walks along the path and all the scenery around you it looks so beautiful so I look forward to your next video. Take care yours Andrew Greening .
What an extremely interesting & informative video presentation you have offered to your viewers. I admire & appreciate the special care & thought you use in making these videos so beautifully visual & intellectually fascinating. This was a true joy to watch! Thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful piano you have there! Yes, very different to organ, but I would not say less expressive... Have fun exploring the possibilities! I never had any piano lessons as well (neither church organ actually - only electronic and Hammond organ), but still enjoy all those instruments! Tomorrow time for a concert in our "village" church: it's called "das städtische Dorf" ("the city-like village"), and the organ certainly is more city-like: a 4-manual beast!
Thank you Ben, yet again. I'm always glad to give what small yet regular support that I am able. Amusingly, I am an unpaid small local village church organist. Absolute Heaven. 🎹
Your cold hands reminded me -- when I was around 12-14 years old, every year our school orchestra had to play outdoors for the annual "snow day" event. Even playing simple children's holiday songs on an electric keyboard felt impossible with cold hands. So, I am greatly impressed by your playing of the Bach piece under such conditions! Your piano playing is also very lovely, and I enjoyed the comparative demonstration. Looking forward to the next video and hearing your full composition :)
These smaller organs are really great instruments for practice and performance. Tracker action always is very good for practice. One has to be so precise. Yesterday, I practiced on a large concert organ built by Casavant (Quebec) EP 1987. One has to really discipline oneself in order to practice on such a large instrument. There is always the temptation to use more stops! I used a lot of 8' and 4' stops, though with just a 16' Bourdon coupled to the Great, as well as solo voices on the swell (recit) and other divisions.
Beautiful scenery, a joyful listening experience, and as usual, great storytelling. I really like your longer format. It gives more time for adding the other features of education & anecdote among an ever expanding repertoire of organ music beyond the humble hymn. You did a fantastic job of demonstrating the uniqueness of the organ from other keyboard instruments, (notably a piano) by bringing in an actual piano into the story. In a side by side comparison, wow, what a stark contrast! For years my small town church didnt have an organ because we didnt have an organist to play one. The pianist was too intimidated to try and didnt want the church to make such a large investment only to hear her "make a mess of it". I've sang Abide with Me countless times to a piano accompaniment. You don't realize what you're missing until you hear it again, on the organ. 😊 thanks for taking us along.
Thanks Ben for another awesome video I loved you also playing the piano looking forward to hear your new composition next week oh how is your cat doing in this very cold weather we have not seen it for a long time keep warm and take care 👵🏻👌
Well done and well played, as usual, Ben. I find it fascinating that you are able to improvise on the spot whenever nature and the laws of physics throws you a curve ball, i.e. how the sticky note you encountered gave you inspiration to write your own organ piece. Can't wait to hear the finished product next week. I love your country walks too, which is why I keep booking hiking trips to the U.K. (This coming August I'll be trekking along Hadrian's Wall, with a few days in London.) You're doing a good work, cheers and carry on.
3:15 I didn't realize that Yew trees could grow so old: "Yew trees (Taxus baccata) can live for up to 3,000 years, but are more commonly around 1,500 years old." It's somewhat remarkable since I believe England grew Yew trees to harvest for bows & arrows 🏹 🎯
It was very good seeing you again Ben, as I missed your wonderful music and the serene English countryside. I was in North Carolina for a family member's Memorial Service and played also Abide with me. Thank you again and have a Blessed and Safe Week!
Hi Ben. I have family over and we just finished listening to you after lunch. My 98 yr old aunt was teary-eyed. She loved this since her retirement home lost its musical director. I cant thank you enough and this was just what everyone here needed to top off their day.
This is one of the sweetest replies I ever read.
Thank you I love your program so much
Without those beautiful churches the landscape would be so much poorer. And of course we need organists like Ben to deliver us beautiful music. Something aesthetic and something for the soul
Always appreciate Bach especially. As a pianist, let me say a few words in defence of the instrument: sonorous overtones, enhanced by the sustain pedal, percussive finger responsive hammers attuned to the touch of the player, harp-like rolled chords and arpeggios, bell-like chiming octaves, twinkling upper registers, vicious attack or whispered chords... I could go on. This is not to say that I like the organ any less though, just thought I'd stick up for the poor old piano. LOVED the video as always. God bless.
Thank you! You said it well. 🎹
Yes, piano was my first instrument, at 5 years old. Only later did I add the harp and organ. I love all three instruments, and Ben plays two of them very well. Will he add harp to the mix?
Yes, this is very well said. I am a pianist (started at age 5 and a piano major in college) and an organist (started around age 20) and I love them both equally. The organ undoubtedly can get a larger range of sounds due to all the stops and different keyboards. But the piano can offer a range of sounds as well, but in a different way. By how you strike the keys. And also, with the soft pedal, not only is it slightly softer, but it works by shifting the hammers over so they strike less strings which gives you a slightly thinner sound. So if used in the right way, you can almost create a sense of the effect of switching keyboards on an organ.
Thank you for this comment. And thank you for the videos, Ben. I look forward to them every week. And I enjoy the musical conversation.
Thank you for your informative, beautiful, amusing but most of all inspiring videos. There is such beauty in our countryside and churches that we are in danger of taking for granted. I have just finished walking with girls friends 250 miles from Groombridge to the Pilgrims Way and beyond. We are all in our 70’s and over a period of time we have walked to the Cathedrals of Rochester, Canterbury, Southwark, Guildford and Winchester. 5 cathedrals, 65 parish churches and 2 priories. We have such history right on our doorsteps. The churches give us social history, geographical history, spiritual history and the gift of music.
Please carry on giving us a taste of culture and sanity in a world which often is missing these precious gifts.
Wonderful episode, Ben! Your videos are a weekly treat. Love the history, music, scenery and adventure.
I love your gentle nature walks with history and music and now poetry. How absolutely wonderful.
Ben each week you take us on an adventure of English countryside,churches, poetry and music, thank you. The organ lessons are also interesting .
Ben, we learn so much more from the things that do not go according to plan than from the things that do.
I love the behind-the-scenes views and explanations of these village church organs.
Greetings Ben! I love your videos! They are so caring and personal. You have a gift for communicating warmly through your sharing of heart and soul and humor. I love when you walk filming through the English countryside. I have longed since a child to visit England, esp. the countryside. Through the outdoor adventures, as you trek to show the churches and organs, I receive a gift of some semblance of a dream come true. I also was a country church organist, starting to accompany my childhood parish at the age of 13. It is so heartwarming to relive the cold conditions and such in the church as you educate the audience about how we endure discomforts at times when we go to practice in the winter and all. In my parish, we had a nice warming furnace and how delightful to up the thermostat upon arrival for practice or Mass and feel the warmth build while in the choir loft with the organ. Such great memories of my blessed time alone in the church and then other churches as well. I played for Mass, funerals and weddings in new parishes I joined upon marrying and raising a family for 40 years. You are a natural to recognize a such worthy and important subject as in the culture/history of organs, music and churches. Even the technical looks at the functioning of organs/keyboards are valuable. All of this plants seeds and bears fruit. Your videos nourish hungry hearts seeking a dignified and fresh touch to share and enjoy our humanity.
It is a quarter past 4 in the afternoon in a south eastern corner of the state of New York - 35 miles far from the bustling city of NYC. Here it is rather grey and quiet. Your poetry and music and videos fill the silence with a warm peace despite the serendipity of a stuck note. You kept your mind and ears open for opportunity despite the annoying interruption. From that moment of grace came a new work, based on four simple yet poignant chords. Thank you for sharing it all with us. I anxiously await next Sunday's organ premiere of this untitled work. I hope this coming week will inspire you as much as this brief "interruption" has inspired you. See you next week Ben!
It never fails to amaze what a talented pair of brothers you are!
You have any more siblings, Ben?
Thank you or these lovely video essays. The mixture of countryside, music, and monologue, is sublime.
Ben, your perseverance is phenomenal. To cross those frozen fields with the prospect of repeating the trek loaded down with cameras and whatnot is not to be envied, Thank you for being so determined.
And what a surprise to see you sitting at a piano. It was a little difficult to accept the 'thinner' sound of the piano when my brain was expecting the 'wrap-around' sound of an organ, but I got there. But lo! A second surprise! Your new piece is so very different from any of your other pieces. It was interesting to watch you compose and I'm anxious to hear it next week on the organ in Devon.
And let me add that the poetry you choose and the heartbreakingly beautiful countryside you bring us are as moving as you could possibly hope.
Thank you, Ben, for an exceptionally interesting and enjoyable video, A real mid-winter boon.🥰❤
Give Ben a like he will be helped by this if you enjoy his work the number of views don’t show this show how much you like what he does just an admirer of this entertainment
Yes. And how about also helping by donating on his PayPal?
The brothers Maton are indeed a comfort delivered so generously with each weekly visit. Bless you for all that you add to our lives. Ben, I hope your finger is better.😊
when other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless Lord, abide with me. Thank you Ben for playing that beautiful hymn!!!
Ben, you have the most wonderful outlook on life. Your videos, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you, are always successful. Thank you for another delightful Sunday afternoon touring parts of England's countryside that I may never get to walk accompanied by your beautiful music and cheerful narration. We are all blessed to view your presentations.
PS you are a natural teacher.
What a gift this young man has. I wish I knew as much about pipe organs when I was a music student!
I am starting to like the organ more and more.
It helps to hear all the information you give.
Such a beautiful, rich instrument and so versatile.
I also like the imperfections and that every organ has its own personality.
Abide with me always brings me to tears.
When my older brother and I were small, our parents put us to bed with that song and we sung it together.
I never knew it was often sung at funerals untill I was in my forties, but I hope they sing it at my funeral with the words we sung when we were small. Today they sing it with different words in my country.
I wanted to sing it solo, with my brother at the organ, at my mothers funeral but that was too much and I never did.
Yes, these videos just keep getting better and better.
Getting home from church each Sunday evening, they accompany my evening cuppa.
Thank you for all the work and effort you put into making these enjoyable and blessed videos.
Every blessing to you as you continue your work and labour of love.
Ruth 2:12 The LORD recompense thy work and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
God bless you and your brother Billy richly.
Ps sending you and little towards your work via post.
Thanks from Belfast
Billy has impressive hand-span, ideal for playing Rachmaninov 3rd 😊. Great video again, Ben. God bless you and your family
I understand your feelings about the range of sound on the organ as opposed to the piano, but as a pianist I'm partial to the expressive quality of the piano. When played with pianistic technique it is stunningly beautiful. I enjoy sensitively played organ as well and in my dabblings at the organ I must say the huge sounds available on some large church organs are thrilling! I so enjoy your videos and I'm glad to be a subscriber! Thank you.
Yes, it's the scenery I love, Ben. I appreciate that you take the time to walk to your churches and show us the magnificent countryside.
Ben, you play the piano very well! It just goes to show that a true musician can transfer their talent and knowledge to another instrument. We enjoyed this one immensely, especially the beautiful countryside and poetry. Thank you for another great video! Love & Hugs from North Carolina, USA
Cracking video, Ben! I’ve at last managed to sit down and watch it all the way through. Absolutely love it, especially your performance of Bach’s Prelude in G minor at St Mary’s, Alderbury - superb! The walks over the fields on the way to the church - beautiful and really atmospheric - and the colour of your coat adds welcome warmth to the images - good choice - and nicely enhances your colouring onscreen too. The poetry readings - what wonderful words - I just closed my eyes and listened - bliss - thank you! And then the final cliffhanger when you couldn’t get into the church - oh!!! And now we’re all on the edge of our seats wondering when we’ll get to see and hear the latest creation from the Salisbury Organist! Can’t wait for the next instalment in this exciting winter adventure!
Peaceful and a real treat and perfect ending to a Sunday Evening
Blessings and thanks to you Ben from Scotland 🙏
And to you too! Thanks for tuning in
In a world increasingly full of anxiety, violence. With hard people and strife you bring peace and joy of living. I don't know how you do it but you find places I would love to walk and enjoy the peace and solitude of but with no people! Where I live if I go out to hike somewhere it may be lovely with iconic views but there are always people. Keep making these treasures.
I love when you add poetry to your beautiful videos
I love it when I realise how much music and poetry are bound together..dance too.
Nice to see a Dulciana still in residence! One of my favourite stops.
Grand to see a Broadwood & Sons piano and not Yamaha slop. Beethoven was famously gifted a Broadwood in 1818, and he cherished it most of all his pianos -- even if he could only approximate its tone (in his deafness) by biting on a metal bar attached to it and feeling the vibrations. The history of keyboard manuals mashes up nicely here with the historic English places our Salisbury organist often visits.
So interesting. I wrote a comment yesterday around 10:00 a.m. It never showed up in here-therefore I will try again. I truly enjoyed this video Ben & Billy. I grew up playing piano; became a piano teacher; then found an opportunity to learn the organ. I'm not saying that it was easy, nor that I'm concert-worthy. 🙂I personally enjoy both instruments (and many more) but my preference is the organ. I intuitively seem to adapt to the multiple levels. I'm looking forward to your improvisational piece that arose from the stuck key situation. I also enjoyed the landscape and the church inside and out. Keep progressing forward. Charlene
Another great video Ben ,that music really epitomised those wild moors.
You play the piano beautifully.
I wanted to compliment you on the sound of your recordings.From your journey to discovery of the church then esp to the sound of the organ! When my wife and I turn it up on our sound system it sounds so rich and moving. Great Job! Very pro.
Your Un named piece is great, moody. and I love when you don't edit out the mishaps.
Thanks for sharing this journey with us.
I do love the countryside and the music. I love seeing the churches. They are beautiful. Thank you so much.
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I wish you would recite poetry more often. You do a great job in speaking and selecting your choices. With your sensitive appreciation of poetry, you should be writing some of your own.
Thanks!
Discovering your channel was truly a gift! I'm in awe of all the lovely old churches you show us. I am reminded of rural Minnesota, where I grew up, and the country churches which had the same rustic organs you so lovingly play.
Thank you. I enjoyed your new composition! And the beautiful frosty scenery.
As a Bach-loving Jew, I paid less attention to the liturgical works (chorales, masses etc) but was delighted by your warm rendition of "Abide with me." I first heard it in the 2002 horror flick "28 Days Later" also based in London.
The frosty landscape in this one really is beautiful. I look forward to hearing the new piece.
Your piece sounds like the high point of a good movie
It has been a joy to watch you develop your Salisbury organist youtube persona. As a fellow introvert, I understand the effort it takes.
As Ben said in one of his videos some months ago, introverts aren’t shy.
I suspect most introverts are not comfortable speaking or performing in front of a large live audience. I am sure for me it would be far easier speaking to an invisible audience on RUclips.
I love to rewatch his very first videos from Advent and Christmas 2023, and early 2024. I am constantly impressed with how good they are and how comfortable he seems, even though it was when he had only made half a dozen episodes.
Beautiful in every way. Thanks Ben, you are a fine young man (and Billy as well).
Many organists practice on piano for finger technique which supplements their organ playing.😊
And Baroque organists often practiced on two-manual harpsichords with pedalboard. The kind of instrument you might have in your cozy home when the church is bone cold in the winter.
Interesting how people learn to do with what they have.
You and your brother are such great musical talents. Perhaps someday you will be able to perform together like the Scott brothers. Thank you.
Ben may we expect your talent to result in new original music? I think most of us would agree that you certainly have the ability; and talent to create a wonderful piece of music.
your videos only get better. Thank you.
Your substitutions are a thing of beauty. The keyboard layout is the only thing that is the same with organ & piano. For a real challenge try an accordion - reeds, wind, keyboard. Just like an organ? Maybe not but all fabulously fun. Love what you do. It's a joy to see how your mind works.
Great job. I love how you switched between piano and organ. We all know some pieces don't translate well between the piano and organ. It's like the difference between a manual and automatic transmission. One you're going to get a little more power. The other you will get a little more smoother ride.
I play piano and tbe organ and it makes a big difference and you play so well on the piano
Thanks again, Ben. I so look forward to your releases on Sundays. God bless.
Moved by the scenery would be an understatement! I literally got chills listening to you reading the poem in the opening. Even though you weren't able to get back into the church, the landscape you walked through was so beautiful and added so much to the video -- it is absolutely sublime. Fantastic poetry choices, beautiful organ, and beautiful composition!
Oh so very thankful you are bringing attention to these beautiful old churches and their organs each has a personality all their own and it is a joy to listen to you bring it out. They are a lot like people each one is like discovering a new friend. You have found a beautiful combination of nature and music ....an it takes someone attune to both to make them flow so beautifully together. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”
― John Muir
The tiled floor alone means you're in for a treat.!
For future reference when out in the winter weather wear 100% Merino wool gloves.
Absolutely!
Actually possum/merino is even warmer! Fingerless mittens are the way to go.
Hmm ! One of my three favourite hymns. Abide with me!
Having watched many of your videos, the absence of pianos from all the churches you visit has really surprised me. Here in America, at least in the south where I'm at, the piano is ubiquitous. Every church has a piano, but only the largest churches (over 300 people) have organs. Almost all of those are electric. When a church actually does have an organ, they are always used alongside a piano. In America, the piano is the superhero and the organ is a sidekick. I wonder why that is? I play piano at my church and I've never had the opportunity to play an organ, but love the sound.
Hi Ben & Billy. I grew up in the south of the United States. What is called the Bible belt. As a child in the choir I was exposed to both the organ & piano; sometimes while singing the same song. The organ was predominant, but the piano had a major role also. I had a piano at home, so my early training was on the piano. Later I became a piano teacher, but I always loved the beautiful organ sounds. When the opportunity to own an organ came up, I jumped at it with joy. I found an organ teacher and pursued this instrument at night while still teaching piano during the day. It did feel odd at first, especially the footwork, and the keys felt different, but I persisted and while I don't claim to play as well as you, Ben, I can adapt to either instrument. It did my heart good to see you play the piano as well. I look forward to hearing your composition. I am also an artist & a photographer, so I am enamored by the pastoral scenes you show us. I love horses. There was one in the field. Wonderful poetry selections. 😊The facade of the church was stunning, and the interior even more so. Thank you, Billy, for the assist. The piano is less full-bodied than the organ, but each instrument has its own place in the execution of melody. Aren't we the same? Keep up the exquisite music. Charlene
I may be a Chorister but I enjoy what you do! With interest.
the other main difference between organ and pianoforte is in the name: if you hit a piano key gently it plays piano, extra gentle gives a pianissimo, and when you give the key a bit more energy it plays forte
Hi Ben, I noticed your metronome, and I think mine is the same. Mine belonged to my great grandmother. The brand name is 'Metronome De Maelzel'. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent. You have many gifts and I appreciate the care and thought you put in each video. Thank you 😊
Thanks
Oké, go on. I like the creativity. Nostalgie, respect, mooie muziek. Orgel = indrukwekkend (impressive)
Oh, Ben. So wonderful. I would give you 10 thumbs up if I could.
What a nourishing video, Ben, in sound, sight, and thought! Thank you so much!
Bedankt
Thank you for the lesson on piano and organ technique
What a delight! Love the new composition and am looking forward to hearing you play it on an organ. Enjoyed your piano rendition of "Abide with Me"! Love the poetry! Love the church! Love the countryside! Love the way you respond to setbacks! Kudos!
Also love the way you do not assume everyone who might enjoy what you offer has a shared level of basic organ knowledge and, so, include basic teaching along with all the rest you bring!
Thank you. A really special video, now added to my list of favourites!
Inspiring poetry, landscape, church & of course music. I am so excited to hear your new piece, it sounds so good! It must be such an emotional & connected feeling to play music with your siblings…I enjoyed it when Billy joined you on the piano, a sibling spark!
Your playing of the Bach piece was magnificent & considering how cold your hands were with all those very intricate parts, amazing!
Interesting comparison between piano & organ, it demonstrated how very different they are.
Thank you so much for these wonderful, wonderful videos & I am so sorry that I’m not in a position to give financially. I do look forward to them every Sunday & feel so connected to the content. Such solace from modern day disconnect.
The amount of your subscribers increased to 37300 and I wish,there will be 50000 this year!
England is so beautiful. 🤗.
Do you think you will ever go through the Chunnel and explore ancient churches in France?
Would love to!!!
Sadly, Ken, very few rural churches in France even have an organ. The Roman church does not use music in anything like the same way as that developed by the Anglicans. The main problem, of course, is that they only really have one, all-purpose form of service, 'the mass'.
The Catholic Church has hymns at Mass. I live in New Zealand, sadly not many churches have organs. We have choirs and electric pianos.
I am really enjoying these videos. Thank you.
Hmmm! Interesting indeed! Piano playing!
Mishaps or not your videos always turn out fabulous! Thank you Ben!
Abide with me takes me back to evensong and my childhood. Fond memories.
Your tours are always engaging, Ben. 'So glad that Billy was able to supply the base-pedals portion of your unnamed composition. I look forward to the full performance next week. Bravo, Sirs!
Ben--As always a thoroughly engaging video. Thank very much for all of the time and effort that goes into producing these videos..
Hi Ben I so enjoy watching your videos here in New Zealand. We watch it on a Monday night and yes I do enjoy your walks along the path and all the scenery around you it looks so beautiful so I look forward to your next video. Take care yours Andrew Greening .
Many thanks from Upper Austria for this vicarious musical journey! 😊
What an extremely interesting & informative video presentation you have offered to your viewers. I admire & appreciate the special care & thought you use in making these videos so beautifully visual & intellectually fascinating. This was a true joy to watch! Thank you for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a beautiful piano you have there! Yes, very different to organ, but I would not say less expressive... Have fun exploring the possibilities! I never had any piano lessons as well (neither church organ actually - only electronic and Hammond organ), but still enjoy all those instruments! Tomorrow time for a concert in our "village" church: it's called "das städtische Dorf" ("the city-like village"), and the organ certainly is more city-like: a 4-manual beast!
Thank you Ben, yet again.
I'm always glad to give what small yet regular support that I am able.
Amusingly, I am an unpaid small local village church organist.
Absolute Heaven. 🎹
Your cold hands reminded me -- when I was around 12-14 years old, every year our school orchestra had to play outdoors for the annual "snow day" event. Even playing simple children's holiday songs on an electric keyboard felt impossible with cold hands. So, I am greatly impressed by your playing of the Bach piece under such conditions! Your piano playing is also very lovely, and I enjoyed the comparative demonstration. Looking forward to the next video and hearing your full composition :)
Thank you Ben for taking us to such beautiful places geographical Architectural and musical. From my suburban environment it has been a great joy.
WOW! THAT TANGIBLE PEACE and Silence, as you opened the door, Ben.
Marvellous
These smaller organs are really great instruments for practice and performance. Tracker action always is very good for practice. One has to be so precise.
Yesterday, I practiced on a large concert organ built by Casavant (Quebec) EP 1987. One has to really discipline oneself in order to practice on such a large instrument. There is always the temptation to use more stops! I used a lot of 8' and 4' stops, though with just a 16' Bourdon coupled to the Great, as well as solo voices on the swell (recit) and other divisions.
Hope you have a beautiful and truly blessed week Ben.
Beautiful scenery, a joyful listening experience, and as usual, great storytelling. I really like your longer format. It gives more time for adding the other features of education & anecdote among an ever expanding repertoire of organ music beyond the humble hymn. You did a fantastic job of demonstrating the uniqueness of the organ from other keyboard instruments, (notably a piano) by bringing in an actual piano into the story. In a side by side comparison, wow, what a stark contrast! For years my small town church didnt have an organ because we didnt have an organist to play one. The pianist was too intimidated to try and didnt want the church to make such a large investment only to hear her "make a mess of it". I've sang Abide with Me countless times to a piano accompaniment. You don't realize what you're missing until you hear it again, on the organ. 😊 thanks for taking us along.
Thanks Ben for another awesome video I loved you also playing the piano looking forward to hear your new composition next week oh how is your cat doing in this very cold weather we have not seen it for a long time keep warm and take care 👵🏻👌
I. Love listening to you on the organ well done regards Janet
I always think that type of music rack should be fitted with a windscreen wiper motor!
Well done and well played, as usual, Ben. I find it fascinating that you are able to improvise on the spot whenever nature and the laws of physics throws you a curve ball, i.e. how the sticky note you encountered gave you inspiration to write your own organ piece. Can't wait to hear the finished product next week. I love your country walks too, which is why I keep booking hiking trips to the U.K. (This coming August I'll be trekking along Hadrian's Wall, with a few days in London.) You're doing a good work, cheers and carry on.
Excellent cooperation with Billy!
and your Cross country meanderings Well done
Gee that was so great to listen to you thankyou on the two different instruments
3:15 I didn't realize that Yew trees could grow so old: "Yew trees (Taxus baccata) can live for up to 3,000 years, but are more commonly around 1,500 years old." It's somewhat remarkable since I believe England grew Yew trees to harvest for bows & arrows 🏹 🎯
lovely, Ben…thx….Rob (formerly 11sesquialtera
It was very good seeing you again Ben, as I missed your wonderful music and the serene English countryside. I was in North Carolina for a family member's Memorial Service and played also Abide with me. Thank you again and have a Blessed and Safe Week!
Hi Martha. I have lost so many family members within the last year. Be strengthened in Him. Charlene
@@chaelwest Thank you.