Ben probably doesn't realize it, but he does pioneering work every week. The English countryside is a world that many city dwellers long for. And the old churches are safe havens for all those who can no longer stand it in this hectic world. The mix of organ music, poetry and beautiful landscapes are a balm for countless restless souls who deeply long for peace. Thank you, Ben, for being a therapist even if that may not be your first intention.
@@horatiohornblower868 First intention is self-therapy. Trust me, an organist. Except Ben is sovereignly articulate, well read, in a word British stiff upper lip. And not all of this world's organists are so endowed. Our patron "saint" was too. Despite being a Saxon-German through and thru! JSB, of course. And thus: our Ben. As they say: try as we might, our humble instanciation of a Bach score up on the rack will never quite measure up. But dammit I/we can die trying. Right?
I am in a rough spot at the moment preparing for a court case that could upend my life. To keep calm and keep working on the figures, I turned to your video. The churches are beautiful and inspiring and I love your choice of music. Thank you for providing peace in a troubled time.
What a great performance of Nun Dunket! You played it at such a great tempo. Everyone else wants to rush through it and the listener misses all the articulation. Thanks so much Ben. You are a treasure!
The sudden peal of bells brought tears to my eyes. The Bach was magnificent. If was so uplifting and stirring. Thanks for another great launch into a new week!
Ben has recreated the Holy Trinity with church bells, a church in chains and a church shrouded in mystery. Once in a generation something rather wonderful happens in the musical world. The Salisbury Organist and his church visits is that rather wonderful something. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices.
I love the sound of the key in those ancient church doors. You are blessed to live in a country with such rich history, everything in America is new in comparison.
The "gentle, twinkling" music that you composed for St. Andrew's was such a perfect use of a synthesizer. It helped to establish the atmosphere there in a way that I believe almost no words could have done. Ethereal, solemn, mysterious. It would have been wonderful to be able to sit there in the dimness of that ancient building and let it take you back centuries. And maybe hope that, when you eventually emerged, the worst parts of the last couple of centuries would have vanished.
Thank you for another wonderful Salisbury organist day trip. Your tours and playing are always a treat. Today, the sound of the pealing bells was a wonderful memory for me. As a child, they were a common Saturday delight. My sister and I could see the church from our bedroom window and stood in anticipation of a glimpse of the bride. On Sunday's, the bells were the alarm clock of the day calling the family to assemble and head to church. Sometimes, special memories are stirred by the unexpected.
Bless your parents for getting you that keyboard for Christmas. 🙏 It would be lovely to meet them in one of your videos. Does your Dad have a magnificent head of hair like you and Billy? 💪😁👍
Since only recently having found your U-Tube videos I am in total awe. Being Jewish I am also inspired by Now Thank We all Our G- .As a life long historian I feel like I am in your classroom.. Thank you for your knowledge and beautiful churches. I believe music is part of the voice of our creator. You echo it so well.
I love what you do, not only playing such beautiful organ music but the journey to these old villages and showcasing these beautiful churches. Yes, we love the old England with its beautiful music, literature, art, architecture and its love for God.
What a beautiful video the bells were enchanting. Hidden gems you find in such beautiful countryside and then share with us is so lovely of you. Thank you very much. ❤
There was a quarter peal, lasting 44 minutes, at Tollard Royal on 15th August, if that’s when you visited. These bells have a very nice tone and you were lucky to experience ringing that good. Most local bands are pretty dire.
Are they regularly rung like that? Maybe Ben could video them doing a ring session, learn how to do a simple change ring with them: and provide some history of the change ringing. That would be an awesome video in itself!
The peal of bells brings back memories. I presumed all churches in all countries would do the same but I have not heard a peal in Germany. Learning to ring a round is quite difficult. Each bell has a rope pulled by a single person. The bell ringers work as a team and typically, they will practice during the week. The bell doesn't ring exactly when the rope is pulled. There are various rounds in which the bells precess eventually returning to the starting cadence. Sidney Smith from Lane End - near High Wycombe - explained this to me. He was very religious and did not approve of new-fangled rounds being generated by computer algorithms. Visiting Lane End this year I saw that the bell ropes were tied up. Gone the time when bell ringers would visit other churches and invite others to their parish church. If I have used the wrong terms I apologise. I am not a bell ringer but hope my description helps others to appreciate the complexity of bell ringing.
What a totally wonderful video. Did so much good for my soul. Having lived out of the UK for 21 years I had so many happy memories of times walking country lanes and coming across beautiful church buildings. Then hearing church bells and one of my favourite hymns and poems. Thank you for loving these places and the beautiful music that was made to be played in these buildings to the glory of God. May God call out worshippers to continue to enjoy this wonderful Christian heritage.
I do so love seeing the country villages, and so heartwarming that there is still enough enthusiasm among the villagers to form a band of ringers. Ben has found a wonderful niche on RU-vid which will bring much pleasure at home and abroad by bringing to light the treasures of rural England,
A perfect ending for a Sunday evening. Always a pleasure and a blessing watching and listening to you Ben . We are really privileged to join you in these beautiful sanctuaries. Grateful thanks and blessings from Scotland 🙏
What a magnificent video how fascinating how stunning. Ben those three churches within a few miles of home and I knew little to nothing about. St Andrew’s is magical in its ancient character. Sometimes you see a building from the outside whose character and history exudes and St Andrews does that. You can see its age unspoiled and timeless. Thank you for bringing these precious unique and stunning buildings to life and attention. Three more places for me to visit. I feel ashamed that these are on my doorstep and I’ve not visited. Marvellous Sunday treats again 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
WOW! Was randomly wandering through RU-vid - avoiding all the T***p lunacy - when I came across your 100th video. What a treasure! Thank you so much for these uplifting videos - I am very happy to donate some of my pension towards your next 100+ episodes. And now, I must go back to #1 and follow your whole journey. Viewer from New Zealand.
Ben saved the best for last. And on top of that, the poem “IF”. I still have my mother’s version for girls circa 1940s.✨💫. Thank you, dear Ben! You are doing an elevated, masterful work!💖
Our local church is also named St Laurence in the village of Measham. On the website there is a link to a small video about the organ in the church. You have inspired me to search for details of my local church, the history of the stained glass windows is also explained. Thank you for igniting my interest in these beautiful places, some smaller than others but beautiful just the same.👍
Thank you for this poem. Text of the Poem If. If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream-and not make dreams your master; If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same: If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!' If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!
Ben, your videos are an amazing combination of inspiring music, lovely country scenery, and the history and architecture of incredible churches. I look forward to every journey you bring to us. Thank you so much!
Dear Ben. I am so happy to be an ongoing supporter of your work (I know it is work in a sense, but it is also doing what you love). You are showing the world what magic there is in small organs, ancient churches (OK, I'm American so anything before the 15th century is ancient), and an artist's approach. While in UK last month I visited Salisbury, Canterbury, and St. Paul's (London) but your videos show the breadth and depth of Anglicanism in UK to the benefit of all of us who profess that faith and perhaps even more so to those who don't. Keep it up -- you have found your niche in this crazy world we all live in.
Thank you so much for this wonderful adventure. I live in the USA but have followed a physiotherapist on YT from Farnham named Will Harlow. He is about your age Ben, and I see many parallels in both of your efforts. Kindly continue your excellent work here on YT and allow us to learn about country-side pipe organs, your music, and poetry. With much appreciation, I remain an admirer and supporter. Cheers.
I have followed Will Harlow. His clinic is located in the town of Farnham, Surrey. It’s just south of Aldershot. The Farnham that Ben visited is a tiny village. It’s in Dorset.
That truly is a lovely little organ! So glad they were able to rebuild within the old case. Beautiful sound and voicing job, and nothing like old casework for an old building. What a delight. I know you must have really enjoyed your time in there.
As a patreon subscriber I would strongly suggest to anyone who like me enjoy this wonderful channel of organ music beautiful historical churches and great commentary from Ben himself help him keep this amazing channel for our enjoyment.
Ben I love the old hymns especially played on an organ for sixty five years I’ve had a personal faith in our Lord Jesus . I find this weekly organ program very refreshing the beautiful countryside the peace and Tranquility starts my week
Danke, dass ich diese einmaligen Plätze, die erstaunlichen Orgeln und die wunderbare Musik aus der Ferne miterleben darf... Wie schön, dass ich vor kurzem diesen Kanal entdeckt habe! Ich freue mich auf weitere Folgen! - Herzliche Grüße aus dem Land von JSB!
A really enjoyable and very educational tour, the combination of history, architecture and music fascinated me, a masterful work Ben. Thanks for your good work.
The sound of church bells is so magical and part of the quintessential English countryside, alongside the wonderful church organ music you play with such passion and dedication. Thank you for another wonderful video.
The change ringing before the wedding was so beautiful as was the organ in the second church. The music you composed for St. Andrew's Gusset was perfectly fitted for the building and surroundings. I always enjoy your trips and narration which is not only educational but heart felt as well. Many, many thanks. I often include memories of these places in my meditations. They are all so very special.
Kedves Ben! Köszönöm szépen, az angol templom harangok kivételes, csodálatos hangját, amelyhez hasonlót még nem hallottam. A Menny Ura küldte Ben érkezésének tiszteletére, és üdvözlésére, megköszönve békességet szeretet sugárzó munkáját... Igen, váratlan szép pillanatokat és csodákat kapunk, sokféle módokon..Volt egy időszak, amikor egy kis falu templomának közelében éltem. Sokszor segítettem katolikus templomunk harangját megszólaltatni, és a zarándokoknak templomunkat bemutatni. Nehéz időszakaimban egyedül imádkoztam a templomban, amely egy domb tetőn áll, gyönyörú belső díszítéssel, és kilátással. Talán ezért is érzem Ben filmjeit közel a lelkemhez. Köszönöm Ben hosszú, rejtélyes, fárasztó, kitartó zarándok utazását esős időben, csodálatos természetben, ismét megható, szívmelengető, és szívszorító.. .Köszönöm az édes feketére égett kis angyalok látványát.. Köszönöm a gyönyörű zenét, az igazán ősi templomot a freskó képet.. Ben jelenléte kommunikációja, igazán elragadó mindegyik filmjében. Művészek, zenészek, tudósok, orvosok akik által megszerethetünk egy országot, és népét, kultúráját. Ben videói segítettek megismerni és megszeretni az "Egyesült Királyságot" és a körülölelő szigeteket, az ott élő népek kultúráját zenéjét.himnuszait.. Hálás köszönetem Ben minden ajándékáért. További áldott munkát, és pihenést kívánok! /Hozzájárulást elküldtem bankján keresztül, ma augusztus 19-én./.Jó egészséget, szép hetet kívánok az Úr áldásával, Szent Mária oltalmával.💙🕊🌿🌳🍃🍁🌾🌍🙏🙏.
Thank you Ben for a truly glorious film. Your dedication and professionalism are always inspiring, but you really outdid yourself with this one. Kudos!
‘If you can wait’…for the next episode. Beautiful & masterly as always. I am excited to see how your channel progresses as we move into the Autumn season.
Wonderful. I loved the walks in this video… and was amused by the continuity revealing different hats and jackets .. ❤. Such lovely music from a single manual organ, yet plenty of contrasting registrations. Can’t wait to see the caravan…
Ben, I have only recently come across your channel, and I like it so much. I play organ at my local church (nothing fancy!), but from a child I have loved this instrument. (I'm in my senior years now). You have wonderfully combined my love of the genre with my love of England and English history. Thank you so much.
Funnily enough, I've rung the bells of Tollard Royal before, back in October 2022. They are very sweet indeed. The organ inside looks pretty interesting too, but I shan't spoil too much. What I will say, is that the original air pump handle is still in place, but is now inactive due to it being electrified.
There's something magical about English church organs: perhaps their smallness in a quiet rural setting - and your delicate touch! On massive foreign organs with Gert Van De Hoef there can give a grandness and magnificence of sound, particularly when he has his wife helping, but to feel the quiet religious depth and emotion of English hymns on such as at Farnham enhanced by your sensitivity it can't be matched! God bless you. Rob
I’ve been an expat for 60 years and change ringing is at the top of things I miss. Thankfully there are U Tube videos to watch but the sound quality is not always top notch. Love your organ playing style. 😊
The bells ringing reminds me of "The Nine Tailors" by Dorothy Sayers. One of the characters is a fanatical change-ringing vicar. That fictional church was in the fens (Fenchurch St. Paul).
Ben, Thank you again for another outstanding video! As the bells rang, it took me back to my childhood sixty years ago in the 1950’s. My Grandfather was the pastor of a small village church in Missouri (seating for maybe 50 people). When I visited he would let me ring the church bell just before church was starting. I had to pull on the rope with all my might to ring the bell and when then the bell returned it would pull me off the floor briefly. Thanks for that memory. The church bells were beautiful at the church you visited. Almost reminded me of a Carillon. I also loved the poem as well.
The bell ringers beat you to it! I tried bell ringing, but those bells are a bit scary! Once we were in a small Cathedral in Sydney Australia up in the bell tower, we started pulling those ropes in the first thing that we heard was a massive Thunder because apparently the roof was leaking and the bells which normally live upside down, or full of water. We got mud all over us I guess you could say the bells got clean.
I really enjoy your channel Ben. The bell interruption reminded me how great it can be to find music in unexpected places. It was over 50 years ago I was in Wynyard park (Sydney, Australia), amid all the noise of traffic and people going about the business, when the bells of St Phillips Church started playing "we rest on thee, our shield and our defender". A wonderful surprise in a most unlikely place and time.. Keep up the good work
Oh my goodness Ben, you brought tears to my eyes when you read Roger Kipling’s ‘If’ a wonderful poem, but in addition you’re reading was absolutely brilliantly done. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Thank you for that lovely excursion to the three churches. You are quite the Renaissance Man, Ben. You are an accomplished composer/organist, and a travel guide, and a raconteur, and a narrator--have you ever considered doing voice over work? Your taste in music and poetry is superb. Your delivery is quite professional grade. Thank you for reading "If" by Rudyard Kipling. That poem always brings tears to my eyes. It will resonate forever.
I do agree that he has a very pleasant speaking voice. But with quirks such as his pronunciation of “tranquil” with the accent on the last syllable, plus his numerous other unorthodox pronunciations which I, personally, do NOT find unattractive, I do not think he would be a suitable candidate for voice over. He has almost 32,000 subscribers and I’m assuming it doesn’t bother most of them. He obviously knows how he speaks and doesn’t do it on purpose. It makes no difference to my enjoyment of his channel.
What a special surprise listening to the Church Bells. Thank you Ben for taking us with you to see the beautiful and serene English countryside which I pray it remains the same for many years to come. I enjoy also listening to you playing Bach and the hymn "Now Thank We All Our Lord". Have a Blessed Week.
Hi Ben, I continue to be impressed with your interest in ancient churches and their history, along with the organs and and other furnishings. These places are very fascinating, especially since we have no ancient churches in my country. I also enjoy the beauty of the land which you share with us. I wish I had the resources to help you, but I can at least hit the like button every time.
Ben, I was quite surprised at how well the Karg-Elert setting of "Nun Danket Alle Gott" came off on the single-manual organ, given that I'm used to hearing it played on much larger organs than the one you had at your disposal. I can't wait to see future videos once you have your caravan in tow. :)
Spectacular video. That organ-less church is breathtaking, just incredible. I will also admit that the Kipling poem brought a tear to my eye. You have such a gift for connecting words, music, architecture, and history. Thank you for making my Mondays more profound and my spirit more at ease.
I await with such joy your Sunday vlog. You never fail to delight and please. Thank you most sincerely for your diligent and unique presentations. I wonder if there is an extra task that you might be able to add ? I appreciate that RU-vid must generate automatic captions. However, is it practical or possible for you to include an optional entry in those captions, of the lyrics of the hymns? It is a delight to read the words as you play. I think others might also enjoy this to, especially perhaps your viewers in the United States who may not know our own British traditional hymns so well. This triad of our wonderful British vernacular village world is amazingly beautiful, again I must offer you my personal gratitude. Your weekly shows help keep body and soul together in our currently troubled island. With my humble respect and honour to you, may you continue to grow and prosper in all your endeavours.
St. Andrew’s is certainly the crowning glory of the trio of beautiful ancient churches that you feature in this excellent film. It’s sad that many church bells are falling silent as a consequence of new comers complaining about the ‘noise’ they create 😰🔔🛐
So fascinating as always, delightful playing. That was quality bell ringing, I started learning some years ago, unfortunately I had to stop due to a problem with my hands. Apparently we’re the only country that rings bells in this way, it’s a real skill. I always admire the needlework skills of the ladies (I’m sure they would have been ladies) who embroider the kneelers and the stool cushion like the one Ben sat on. Looking forward to your journeys in your camper.
Many thanks, Ben, for another beautiful film in a part of the world I know quite well; we have family just down the road in Chettle. The familiarity of these places doesn't diminish their beauty one bit.
Loved the bell peal! For a time I lived in an old convent. The tower bells called us to Morning Prayer worship in the cathedral across the street. Rue the day when those bells also woke me up! Mad dash!
Loved the Elert piece! I play it at least once a year, but have never heard someone else play it. Ah, the challenges of a church Organist, we don't hear others playing. So again, thank you, for this Sunday afternoon delight!
Thank you so much, Ben, for a lovely tour around the countryside, the absolutely beautiful churches and for your talented playing. This episode was especially meaningful for me for many reasons but especially because I have a friend who used to live in Farnham so it was good to see something of the area and also because "If" was my beloved late father's favourite poem. So enjoyable, as always.
another excellent episode, Ben. that instrument has wonderful sound, especially on the really low end of the scale. some time ago i turned up massively early for a sunday service at st martin of tours, chelsfield, kent. the bell ringers were the first to arrive and invited me to watch the ringing up in the loft. it was brilliant and very interesting to watch how one rhythm pattern was getting turned in to a different one. if you get the opportunity, it's NOT to be missed !!
The differences and similarities struck me watching this video. The first church looked very much like the one I grew up in in southern British Columbia, Canada, and had a full peel of bells for which change ringing was done. I now go to a church In the Yukon that is about 25 kilometers away, and the nearest next one is 229 kilometers and the other direction, with only one village of about 40 people in between. The rest is all wilderness, so walking to the church would be quite an issue! The nearest next one, the cathedral in Whitehorse, is another 406 kilometers, passing through the village of 40 again, plus one of 150, and another of 400. The rest, being wilderness, gives a quiet elegance to the living here. Not English village quiet, but truly quiet!
You might also wish to check out Gussage All Saints, which supposedly has an 1843 Walker organ, originally built as a residence organ for James Turle, organist of Westminster Abbey.
Another wonderful episode! A magical mystery tour this time and what a find in the last church, even if it didn't have an organ (the Kipling poem made up for it). Thank you, Ben. Have a great weekend. (I'm late this time as I've been on a short holiday).
Ben, Thank You for another great presentation. The sound of the bells was delightful and your playing of the organs was beautiful. I'm right in the middle of the United States, and that might just be a good thing, because if I was a neighbor of yours, I'd be a damned pest, always wanting to go with you on your journeys. I look forward to your offerings every week and they are all most welcomed. Again...Thank You.
Just wonderful and thank you so, so much. Your work and researches create a document for the future and as such are most important. I thought for a brief moment when my sense of geography went amiss that the final church in this episode was going to be St. Hubert’s , Idsworth but then my sense returned. I too agree with you that the sound of the bells is what one thinks of as at the core of us. It may interest some to know that early on a Sunday on R4 there is a broadcast featuring such and a back catalogue too.
Hi Ben. Where do I start? This was a trinity of churches each with it's own flavor and beauty. The bells were absolutely mesmerizing; the wedding a delightful note; the organ music so well executed. The wall paintings were inspiring, and each edifice so different yet so united in their purpose. Loved the llamas. I memorized "IF" by Rudyard Kipling as a student, and I recited it with you. Thank you for a memorable moment. Char
Well done, Ben, well done. Love the everlasting green of the English countryside, as well as the rain. Love that ancient, little church with the 13th century wall paintings; what little remains shows they were highly developed artists even during the so-called "Dark Ages." ¿Cómo se llaman, llamas? I wonder if these Alpacas are kept for their fur or good looks. Looking forward to your next video, keep on keeping us informed and entertained with all you do.
