As an American it’s very hard to wrap my head around the fact that attending services at a church that was built in the 1200’s would even be possible. Just incredible. You do a wonderful job showing these beautiful churches and their organs. Glad to have discovered your work kind man.
And most of those are basically unknown. For example, this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monumental_church_complex_of_Sant_Pere_de_Terrassa Is about 40 min from a metropoli. Usually deserted. The *youngest* is some 900 years. The ownership & conservation standards of these varies by country, but... yeah. Europeans have trouble realizing the sheer scale of things in the US. Americans get schoked when they realize the tavern they're having their beer could have been attended but Luther's granpa. Take care
One of the many things that I especially love about your videos is that in addition to being a highly proficient musician, you are as well a poet and inspiring historian. I am so thankful to have discovered your wonderful channel !!
Gorgeous little organ and even Widor’s toccata was nice. Your touch is what makes some of these old girls sing so beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. ❤
Hi Ben, I watch one of your beautiful videos every Sunday morning while I drink my coffee before heading off to my Catholic Sunday Mass. They soothe my soul. We have a beautiful old pipe organ at my church and I am going to ask my pastor for its history. You have inspired me! And don't worry about looking too serious, it shows that you take your profession seriously!
I am into mechanical music so of course that tremulant stop is a great sound to my ears! What a wonderful organ this is. A hidden gem in a small village church!
Another excellent road trip to display the small parish churches of England. Unbelievable how ancient this church is. Writing, filming, and demonstrating the pipe sounds are superbly executed by the staff of ONE! Rubber boots most appropriated for walking the marshes. No loafers today!
Thank you again Ben for another excellent village church and organ tour. Your personable, calm, intelligent and insightful video narration and style makes us feel like we are right there with you. Very refreshing.
How much I agree with that as it was such a comprehensive presentation. I just wish he would smile more as it seemed like the whole video was depressing for him. I kept wanting to say "oh cheer up a bit mate"
You are so serious in this video and without any smiles. Ben, I cannot express how much pleasure your fantastic, sensitively beautiful playing brings to me and many others! Thank you for sharing your exquisite talent along with your sharp attention to enthralling historic details of chuches in England.
I love an old ham and a drama queen 😃 Your use of the Purcell Queen Mary funeral music to vamp up the pathos while reading the inscription on the woman's grave was masterful! I have subscribed!👍
@@rowejon Ah ok. Ben himself referred to the sound as ‘fairground’ which was an accurate description of the tremulant effect. But I’m happy my little error gave you the opportunity to show your knowledge 👍🏻
What a beautiful ancient church. Your playing on this wonderful old instrument is both sensitive and refined. Love the editing as well. Keep up your excellent work. Thanks, and greetings from the Hudson Valley. Cheers!
As a bellringer I immediately noticed that unusually, much like the organist, the bellringers are placed in full view of the congregation, at the crossing, rather than hidden away up the tower. Awkward to sneak out if you want to ring and not stay to the service !
😂 I play keyboards at small church. I know exactly what you mean!! I told minister’s daughter I was jealous of her kids who could fidget, and just lay down on or underneath the pew during the surface.
I’m on a little journey watching your older videos. This is so wonderful. I miss those English hills so much. I could’ve listened to the whole piece you played at the end. I can’t remember the name of it right now. The internet is such a weird place because your videos make me feel like we’re friends. Thanks Ben 🫶🏼
Beautiful instrument thoughtfully demonstrated. I like the low reverberation in the church because it makes it easier to hear on a video. You are a talented and thoughtful young man. Long may you prosper.
LOL! Of course you had to dust off that Lefebure-Wely piece of carnival tripe to demonstrate the full-organ tremulant. Perfect. Thank you for the wonderful demonstration.
Merci pour ces vidéos pleines d’amour et de poésie. Je découvre une Angleterre riche d’un patrimoine immense servie par un jeune organiste talentueux et enthousiaste. Bravo (en tant qu’étranger j’apprécie particulièrement l’excellente diction )
When you played with the tremulant 'on', I couldn't tell if it was on or not. I guess I'm used to playing theater(cinema) pipe organ where the tremulant is very heavy. The 'vibrato' really stands out in a theater organ 🙂 BTW - I've played silent film accompaniment where all the different sounds to the film are performed by the organist. From sobbing tibias to an auto horn, the range of sounds, and fun, is wonderful 🙂
I agree. I had organist tell me once that one never used the tremulant. He followed it up with … everyone knows that. Interesting. Then why do so many organs have a tremulant stop? I think some folks need something to show snobbery. In this instance… people who like a tremulant effect. Or carnival music.
Now that was awesome on so many levels. The history, the setting, the gorgeous sound, and seeing you playing the pedals with sneakers! (and the Nike socks 😏). How seriously cool is that! I always wonder what attendance is like on a typical Sunday in these ancient churches, and the age mix. Britain's role in the establishment and spread of Christianity cannot be overstressed, and id hate to see it fade out.
Perhaps the biggest problem (other than lack of congregation) is lack of organists to play such machines. Many churches simply don't have an organist or competent pianist in their congregation. And when there's not enough money coming in the collection to sustain the building it's hard to justify repairing an organ that you haven't got anyone to play it.
Many are not open every Sunday. Services alternate around the area. Mostly older people. Ironically it’s often the countries we colonised and converted who are the most church going now it seems to me.
@@nicolad8822 I concur with this. In my area of rural Kent we have 5 parish churches in our group and the main Sunday service alternates round the five so mostly each church only gets a service once a month. The congregations average about 30 to 40 people per service, and they do mostly seem to consist of the older generation; I'm 61 and I'm probably one of the younger members of the congregation.
Unfortunately it's seems to be the C of E that's driving many people away. I attended a service in Salisbury Cathedral a couple of years back and it was political on every level. Nothing for the spiritual uplifting of the people actually attending, just endless lecturing about "the third world" and how somehow it's all our fault. Then Covid, of all the times for the Church to step up and lead, give comfort where it was needed, they were at the forefront of shutting everything down. I mean in a building that can easily seat a couple of thousand people, they couldn't hold any services at all? In an area where the rate of infection was amongst the lowest in the country. Now this Christmas they have an art exhibition celebrating refugees. You know the fit, young men invading the UK in small boats after crossing numerous safe countries and who come from countries where there are no wars. These churches have survived all these years but I seriously doubt they can survive the current leadership. Partly because the current leadership despises the people and the country.
Many thanks Ben for the Video, Love the old country churches and the Pipe organs, You are talented in more ways then one, keep up the good work. All the best....
Lovely church, lovely organ, and lovingly shared. Thanks Ben. If it's not too much to ask, I would love to hear a little more of each stop and of you playing. Perhaps a little longer on the demonstration as you move through it. Otherwise, I've very much enjoying this series.
Bravo - or mebe Bravissimo! A lot of work must have gone into this video - for which many thanks. I leasrnt a lot from your playing and discussion. Now to get some bums on seats and feet on the pedalboard....
Ben Maton, Than you for sharing this video of these antique organs with us here on RUclips! I really enjoyed it! Please record and share more of you organ talent! Thanks! Your fan, Dan
Yet another wonderful and excellent video which you always do so well. Another beautiful church and countryside. A wonderful insight into the church itself and the unusual position of the organ. Very enjoyable. Thank you Ben!
This video was such a pleasure in many ways. Thank you. As someone who lives across the Atlantic and who has walked on trails in almost every corner of North America and on 5 other continents, I have to agree that the English countryside has a unique beauty.
Lovely all ‘round! I’d love to hear the entire Bach Suite for Unaccompanied ‘Cello on that ‘cello-like Open Diapason!!! Please make an entire video with that stop featured largely as a solo stop!!
An interesting video series, especially for an organist like myself, who's grown up with the Silbermann traditions of the German Lutheran church, who settled in Britain a long time ago, and found English village organs in general totally unsuited for Baroque music, with all its flute sounds and no Mixture stop in sight. The ending was a bit too thickly laid on, and then playing the quintessential English composer, Debussy. Ah, English irony!!!
Thanks for another brilliant video. The ratchet swell did appear to have a half-open notch. Nice to hear the Widor taken a sensible pace! I would love to hear you play the Toccata by Gigout in a future video 😊
I've only recently started playing, and it's been fun learning the quirks of various local organs. It'll be a while before I can demonstrate them as well as you though (if ever)!
Thank you that was very interesting, a lovely surprise from RUclips's algorithm, I guess it sent me here from The Pethericks channel who had a recent gifting of an organ from a Catholic Cathedral? in Norwich to a convent they are renovating in France. Any comments on that? It seems like a huge undertaking putting it back together. I know zero about organs but very much enjoyed this video; I was a bellringer though, many years ago on the Isle if Wight, so grew up in a village church but actually came to faith later and have attended mostly Baptist churches since, with no organs. Anyway, God bless you.
Thank you very much for this video! A very nice demonstration and performance on this instrument. I like this particular organ very much. I wish that someone would make a Hauptwerk sample of it.
The Christmas Album is here! 🎄Download at benmaton-thesalisburyorganist.myshopify.com/products/the-little-christmas-album
As an American it’s very hard to wrap my head around the fact that attending services at a church that was built in the 1200’s would even be possible. Just incredible. You do a wonderful job showing these beautiful churches and their organs. Glad to have discovered your work kind man.
And most of those are basically unknown. For example, this
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monumental_church_complex_of_Sant_Pere_de_Terrassa
Is about 40 min from a metropoli. Usually deserted. The *youngest* is some 900 years. The ownership & conservation standards of these varies by country, but... yeah. Europeans have trouble realizing the sheer scale of things in the US. Americans get schoked when they realize the tavern they're having their beer could have been attended but Luther's granpa.
Take care
I so love that you show the roads leading to these churches, surroundings and INSIDE all of these churches. your videos are such a treat!
Thanks! You are so talented beyond your mastery of music! Your videos are such rich compositions.
One of the many things that I especially love about your videos is that in addition to being a highly proficient musician, you are as well a poet and inspiring historian. I am so thankful to have discovered your wonderful channel !!
Love your enthousiasm...and love following you and discovering real gems hidden in your gorgeous English countryside!
Gorgeous little organ and even Widor’s toccata was nice. Your touch is what makes some of these old girls sing so beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. ❤
And with our thanks to the ladies of the parish for the lovely floral arrangements.
You are a true artist in every sense. Thank you.
Hi Ben, I watch one of your beautiful videos every Sunday morning while I drink my coffee before heading off to my Catholic Sunday Mass. They soothe my soul. We have a beautiful old pipe organ at my church and I am going to ask my pastor for its history. You have inspired me! And don't worry about looking too serious, it shows that you take your profession seriously!
I am into mechanical music so of course that tremulant stop is a great sound to my ears! What a wonderful organ this is. A hidden gem in a small village church!
Another excellent road trip to display the small parish churches of England. Unbelievable how ancient this church is. Writing, filming, and demonstrating the pipe sounds are superbly executed by the staff of ONE! Rubber boots most appropriated for walking the marshes. No loafers today!
Thank you again Ben for another excellent village church and organ tour.
Your personable, calm, intelligent and insightful video narration and style
makes us feel like we are right there with you. Very refreshing.
How much I agree with that as it was such a comprehensive presentation. I just wish he would smile more as it seemed like the whole video was depressing for him. I kept wanting to say "oh cheer up a bit mate"
Praise Almighty God for the skills and talents He has given you. Enjoy them as we enjoy listening to you.
Thoroughly delightful how you present the background and history of these churches and organs. You might smile once in a while and not be so deadpan.
You are so serious in this video and without any smiles. Ben, I cannot express how much pleasure your fantastic, sensitively beautiful playing brings to me and many others! Thank you for sharing your exquisite talent along with your sharp attention to enthralling historic details of chuches in England.
I love an old ham and a drama queen 😃 Your use of the Purcell Queen Mary funeral music to vamp up the pathos while reading the inscription on the woman's grave was masterful! I have subscribed!👍
Thanks for clarifying whether the tongue was fully in cheek. I was a little unsure myself.
Thank you for showing us this significant church and its thankfully preserved organ.
"It can" (Widor). True, but the organist can also.
"As beautiful as the hills and valleys of England", so true, indeed.
I loved the Tremulant and the ‘fairground’ improv 🤭
That wasn't a fairground improvisation, it was Sortie in e flat by Lefebure Wely, Ben plays it elsewhere on this channel.
@@rowejon Ah ok. Ben himself referred to the sound as ‘fairground’ which was an accurate description of the tremulant effect. But I’m happy my little error gave you the opportunity to show your knowledge 👍🏻
What a beautiful ancient church. Your playing on this wonderful old instrument is both sensitive and refined. Love the editing as well. Keep up your excellent work. Thanks, and greetings from the Hudson Valley. Cheers!
As a bellringer I immediately noticed that unusually, much like the organist, the bellringers are placed in full view of the congregation, at the crossing, rather than hidden away up the tower. Awkward to sneak out if you want to ring and not stay to the service !
😂 I play keyboards at small church. I know exactly what you mean!! I told minister’s daughter I was jealous of her kids who could fidget, and just lay down on or underneath the pew during the surface.
I agree, but I do quite like chancel rings though!
Have you played the De Montfort Hall organ in Leicester? It's a fine example of a Taylor organ.
I’m on a little journey watching your older videos. This is so wonderful. I miss those English hills so much. I could’ve listened to the whole piece you played at the end. I can’t remember the name of it right now. The internet is such a weird place because your videos make me feel like we’re friends. Thanks Ben 🫶🏼
Beautiful instrument thoughtfully demonstrated. I like the low reverberation in the church because it makes it easier to hear on a video. You are a talented and thoughtful young man. Long may you prosper.
You play so beautifully with so much expression!!
I hope I can visit England one day and see some wonderful old churches.
On England's green and pleasant land seeing the visionary landscape and believing the church music a wonder to all.
LOL! Of course you had to dust off that Lefebure-Wely piece of carnival tripe to demonstrate the full-organ tremulant. Perfect. Thank you for the wonderful demonstration.
Merci pour ces vidéos pleines d’amour et de poésie.
Je découvre une Angleterre riche d’un patrimoine immense servie par un jeune organiste talentueux et enthousiaste.
Bravo (en tant qu’étranger j’apprécie particulièrement l’excellente diction )
What a lovely interlude Ben. A beautiful intro to the superb little organ and the stunning scenery. Loved the Claire d’lune. Thank you
Thank you for this loving visit to this beautiful church and its fine organ
Your videos make me proud to be a young organist!
When you played with the tremulant 'on', I couldn't tell if it was on or not. I guess I'm used to playing theater(cinema) pipe organ where the tremulant is very heavy. The 'vibrato' really stands out in a theater organ 🙂 BTW - I've played silent film accompaniment where all the different sounds to the film are performed by the organist. From sobbing tibias to an auto horn, the range of sounds, and fun, is wonderful 🙂
I agree. I had organist tell me once that one never used the tremulant. He followed it up with … everyone knows that. Interesting. Then why do so many organs have a tremulant stop? I think some folks need something to show snobbery. In this instance… people who like a tremulant effect. Or carnival music.
Wow……what a magnificent organ. Excellent for such a small instrument.
Such a lovely warm sound!
What a great video, Ben. Bach, Debussy and Widor all from one incredibly versatile instrument...love you setting in context of the landscape too.
Now that was awesome on so many levels. The history, the setting, the gorgeous sound, and seeing you playing the pedals with sneakers! (and the Nike socks 😏). How seriously cool is that!
I always wonder what attendance is like on a typical Sunday in these ancient churches, and the age mix. Britain's role in the establishment and spread of Christianity cannot be overstressed, and id hate to see it fade out.
Perhaps the biggest problem (other than lack of congregation) is lack of organists to play such machines. Many churches simply don't have an organist or competent pianist in their congregation. And when there's not enough money coming in the collection to sustain the building it's hard to justify repairing an organ that you haven't got anyone to play it.
Many are not open every Sunday. Services alternate around the area. Mostly older people. Ironically it’s often the countries we colonised and converted who are the most church going now it seems to me.
@@nicolad8822 I concur with this. In my area of rural Kent we have 5 parish churches in our group and the main Sunday service alternates round the five so mostly each church only gets a service once a month. The congregations average about 30 to 40 people per service, and they do mostly seem to consist of the older generation; I'm 61 and I'm probably one of the younger members of the congregation.
Unfortunately it's seems to be the C of E that's driving many people away.
I attended a service in Salisbury Cathedral a couple of years back and it was political on every level. Nothing for the spiritual uplifting of the people actually attending, just endless lecturing about "the third world" and how somehow it's all our fault.
Then Covid, of all the times for the Church to step up and lead, give comfort where it was needed, they were at the forefront of shutting everything down.
I mean in a building that can easily seat a couple of thousand people, they couldn't hold any services at all? In an area where the rate of infection was amongst the lowest in the country.
Now this Christmas they have an art exhibition celebrating refugees. You know the fit, young men invading the UK in small boats after crossing numerous safe countries and who come from countries where there are no wars.
These churches have survived all these years but I seriously doubt they can survive the current leadership. Partly because the current leadership despises the people and the country.
A great presentation of this organ, which we remodelled some years ago.
I actually sat and watched this - amazing thanks
What a lovely tone, typically English. Thanks for sharing. :)
Many thanks Ben for the Video, Love the old country churches and the Pipe organs, You are talented in more ways then one, keep up the good work. All the best....
Just come across this video, fabulous!
Simply beautiful. Well done Ben for bringing it into life.
Lovely church, lovely organ, and lovingly shared. Thanks Ben.
If it's not too much to ask, I would love to hear a little more of each stop and of you playing. Perhaps a little longer on the demonstration as you move through it.
Otherwise, I've very much enjoying this series.
Gorgeous sounding instrument in fine condition!
Beautiful sound for a small organ & a lovely interior of a village church.
Beautiful natural looking flowers too
The organ sounds wonderfull, but the organist is really Tallented and a real pleasure to listen to !!!!!!
Bravo - or mebe Bravissimo!
A lot of work must have gone into this video - for which many thanks. I leasrnt a lot from your playing and discussion.
Now to get some bums on seats and feet on the pedalboard....
Ben Maton,
Than you for sharing this video of these antique organs with us here on RUclips! I really enjoyed it! Please record and share more of you organ talent! Thanks!
Your fan,
Dan
Yet another wonderful and excellent video which you always do so well. Another beautiful church and countryside. A wonderful insight into the church itself and the unusual position of the organ. Very enjoyable. Thank you Ben!
What a lovely instrument, and played so well.❤
Ben, you make some very nice videos, and this is one of them. But I would like to see you smile more.
This video was such a pleasure in many ways. Thank you. As someone who lives across the Atlantic and who has walked on trails in almost every corner of North America and on 5 other continents, I have to agree that the English countryside has a unique beauty.
A wonderful video of Ben excellent description of the church and organ playing I'm a organist myself it's really nice to hear a fellow organist
Another very enjoyable miniature, beautifully done Ben. RCF
I really enjoyed your very serious face whilst playing fairground music. It made me chuckle after a not-so-good day. Wonderful episode. Thank you.
Lovely all ‘round! I’d love to hear the entire Bach Suite for Unaccompanied ‘Cello on that ‘cello-like Open Diapason!!! Please make an entire video with that stop featured largely as a solo stop!!
Emotional and wonderful. Thank you so much for making this video. be Blessed all. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Your CD has arrived in North Carolina USA THANKS!
Remarkable organ it is epic given the size.I loved the video.
I love your channel. Thank you for bringing your love of the organ and the old churches to us in these wonderful videos.
Loved the "warm, rich cello sound"! Bach Cello Suite No. 1. Especially enjoyed your slower tempo!
Enthusiasm. Love. and just beautiful....... What more can anyone ask for?
Thank you for these videos.
Just awesome and beautiful 😊.
God bless you for the uplifting moments.
Cool organ Ben. Great video. Nice playing.
An interesting video series, especially for an organist like myself, who's grown up with the Silbermann traditions of the German Lutheran church, who settled in Britain a long time ago, and found English village organs in general totally unsuited for Baroque music, with all its flute sounds and no Mixture stop in sight. The ending was a bit too thickly laid on, and then playing the quintessential English composer, Debussy. Ah, English irony!!!
😄🎹 Simply Brilliant ! 🎹😄 Joy to one's ears - thanks 👏👏Graham [ Chartered Engineer ]
Very interesting video that is nicely shot and edited.
Andrew Sheard
(Coronation Street Camera Operator)
Wer würde glauben, solch eine herrliche Orgel stünde in diesem Kirchleins normannischen Stils!
Nicht ich!
Got to love the king of instruments. Thanks for sharing. 73
Another nice organ! Thanks!
I could listen for hours ! Thank you so much
My goodness, that was more like a poem than a documentary ...
I think you have a future in the fairground lol... ;)
Gorgeous church and organ... sounds delightful...
Beautiful and you passion makes it even brighter ...
Ben is like a modern romantic. What a nice concept, these videos. So interesting. Respect.
Loved listening to you on this thankfully maintained organ
Ben - thank you. Amazing video. You're also very amazing!
Thanks for another brilliant video. The ratchet swell did appear to have a half-open notch. Nice to hear the Widor taken a sensible pace! I would love to hear you play the Toccata by Gigout in a future video 😊
What a nice thing to wake up to.
as organ videos come, yours are among the most versatile and informative...do you do the outside filming and the cutting yourself?
Yes 😄 Everything- filming, photos, outdoor walks, background music and editing are all done and performed by me! Glad you enjoyed it :)
That 8' Diapason just rings in that gorgeous room!
What a charming and well-made video. Such a shame so many village church organs have suffered from neglect - unlike this well cared-for instrument.
So beautiful, you are so talented!
Love you Ben. Thank you for such joy!
Brilliant. All encouragement!
Only just came across your channel but i love it! Keep up the good work
Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much.
When the beauty of the English countryside was mentioned I was waiting for Elgar.
thank you Ben. that was fascinating.
Brilliant, thank you Ben, once again!
I've only recently started playing, and it's been fun learning the quirks of various local organs. It'll be a while before I can demonstrate them as well as you though (if ever)!
Thanks!
Thank you that was very interesting, a lovely surprise from RUclips's algorithm, I guess it sent me here from The Pethericks channel who had a recent gifting of an organ from a Catholic Cathedral? in Norwich to a convent they are renovating in France. Any comments on that? It seems like a huge undertaking putting it back together.
I know zero about organs but very much enjoyed this video; I was a bellringer though, many years ago on the Isle if Wight, so grew up in a village church but actually came to faith later and have attended mostly Baptist churches since, with no organs.
Anyway, God bless you.
Thank you very much for this video! A very nice demonstration and performance on this instrument. I like this particular organ very much. I wish that someone would make a Hauptwerk sample of it.
"Not only can they hear the wrong notes, they can see them as well." Funny because it's true.
Thanks