Ben Maton, we are gratefull for all you know about the places, churches and the music you play. But we have also to be gratefull, that you cant even fathom the great depth , meaning and reassurance you reach...
This organ, despite it small size, has the most beautiful sound. I really enjoy your showcasing of the various organs found in the small country churches. Thank you so much, may God bless you.
God has given you such a glorious and great gift, Ben! Your ability to share your inspirational music and select the perfect registration brings the music to life. That half hour went by so fast. Thank you for all your hard work and bringing all of us along. You are a treasure!
Ben, my friend, I hope you know what a comfort and inspiration your videos truly are. I'm an American residing in the southeast U.S., while my wife is Canadian and a Cambridge graduate. She is currently facing a medical crisis and it is a time of fear and anxiety for us. We visited France several years ago together, but we, as lovers of history and churches, resolved to cross the pond once again and visit these wonderful English countrysides together. As an artist myself, I share many of your sensibilities. During this frightening time for us, your videos, literary reflections, and music are a warm light in a fog of sorrow. Keep it up and God bless.
Ben! Mark, here. From a lifelong organist who began formal instruction at age 17.5 as a result of "going away to college" in another (at the time more civilized) state of the USA: ===== This one really got to me. ~An 8' Open Diapason that literally lives, breathes and sings...."still crazy after all these years." * You searched that head of yours for spot-on rep, and then had m'man give the most worthy instantiation of "I know that my Redeemer liveth" since the first one that had come hot off the press (Handel's mind+heart = soul) in Dublin. I believe! (Cue Martin Luther King accent.) """""" Am going to interrupt a much longer train of thought, and return to it in other contexts of your work. There is only so much anyone can take of rhapsodizing alla organista, ya think? Am
I have, long ago, lived two years in England - in London and in Cambridge - and I keep a deep nostalgy of the english countryside with its deligthful small churches. I am very pleased to have discovered your very deeply inspired videos. Thank you very much ! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 From Lausanne, Switzerland
Very pleased to see the world wide numbers of subscribers growing. With so many of our village churches in danger of being closed or left vacant without clergy, you are filling an important vacuum. There is a place for calm seriousness, all too often avoided in an attempt to fill pews. As you demonstrate the silence and light in these sacred places have a power.
Thank you for this beautiful opportunity to share your thoughts and magnificent music. I love the history of each you go to and how you find ways to convey this through the choice of music. I started my day with this meditation and can peacefully go about finding comfort in these turbulent times. Have a blessed day too. Greetings from Cape Town South Africa
Another restful but fascinating video. Robert Cecil, despite his long service and administrative brilliance was not widely mourned in passing, and was often the subject of ridicule in life due to his being a hunchback, so it is nice to think Byrd at least mourned him with such beautiful music.
I get a feeling of joy in the graveyards of those pastors and Christian servants of old...I feel they gave their best, most of them, in the calling they lived...those drafty rectories and flower beds and village celebrations. They are friends to all who come to see them, just as they were in their earthly life.
Hi Ben and Happy New Year! What a great video! Right from the start, I was laughing at your mug! Then as you introduced us to the ancient beauty of All Saints Church, I was silenced and awed by a Millennium of secrets that those walls must hold. The readings were perfect and I love your improvised playing. You offer us so much! Discovering this beautiful countryside and these incredible churches is making my bucket list so much longer! This has been a wonderful Epiphany gift. Thank you.
Watching this video of yours in the high temperature of Summer in Brazil could seem as a big contrast, but you did so beautifully well that I almost could feel the cold winter in my body. For sure in my soul. With tears in my eyes and warm gratitude. God bless you!
Dear Ben, You and your music making are charming. Your tours enchant me. Thank you so much. I am a composer of classical music, specializing in film music. I wrote the score for Robert Altma's 3 WOMEN. I send you love an every wish for continued success. Gerald Busby, New York City.
The William Byrd music was perfect! You really know how to choose the piece that will bring out the best qualities of each instrument you play. What a treat this is for us listeners!
Thank you Ben for this video series. Each has been better than the last. As an organist and organ technician, I appreciate the love and care you give every instrument, no matter how modest its scope. The poetry is stellar and is something I wish was more commonly heard with organ music. I especially like the small details, like showing the drive in our the door knobs, as it makes it feel you are giving a personal tour. However, I noticed you didn't take a lunch break in this video. We all need to know what you had for lunch, as it has been a delightful detail in past videos. Take care. May your Epiphany be filled with brightness.
I am watching your videos as I work through our family’s geneaology, much of which is directed back to England, with several branches in Wiltshire. It’s wonderful to think of my ancestors, worshiping in the churches were you are playing. Thank you for adding the music to this journey.
Thank you Ben for another lovely visit to one of our beautiful English churches and for the explanation of how the organ works. Looking forward to many more in 2024. Happy New Year !
Very good tour Master Ben through this old and beautiful church doing an informative work of these forgotten instruments in villages and towns. Best regards.
Thank you so much Ben, for offering this to us! It’s pure love for life you offer, in the way you approach not only the music, but the litterature, the building, even the weather…! Greetings from Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Ben this was absolutely stunning! I’m overwhelmed. Handel’s Messiah is the most beautiful piece ever written and I truly love, “I Know that my Reedemer Liveth!” Thank you once again for such a beautiful experience! I was in tears it was so beautiful. Death is merely a blip when one knows that their Redeemer liveth!
Another incredible and memorable tour of Wiltshire village churches. As an American child growing up in the Swindon/Marlborough area I have visited many village churches out of love, amazement, history and a deep appreciation as a boat boy and thurifer with my father at one of the only high churches in the area at that time, St. Pauls, Swindon (probably early 1800's) which was demolished (around 1970) to accomodate the Town Centre of Swindon. What a loss. The overwhelming "presence" felt inside these various ancient churches was, and is, overpowering to me, and only matched by the power of your recital, in bringing each church to life. Now in Florida, I would love to be back. Thanks for the memories.
This is a better documentary than many on terrestrial TV. The organ music is surrounded by history and geography. I loved the dramatic cut from the Marcus Aurelius quotation at the start to the music of the driving sequence. You capture an English countryside in winter so beautifully. Please keep going into the summer. BBC4 needs you.
"Maker and Monarch and Savior of all." Indeed. Thank you for sharing this lovely hymn from your country. Sometimes I hear them at mass. Viva Cristo Rey!❤️🙏🏽 Blessings for following your calling Ben no matter the challenges.
Hello Ben, I want to tell you just how much I appreciate and enjoy your videos. Your tours of and history of the church are wonderful. The information you give us, your audience, about each organ makes the music more interesting. I so enjoy the music you have selected and watching you play. Your presentation is full of your enthusiasm for all that you present and I sincerely hope you will continue doing these videos. They make me feel happy inside. 🙏🕊🦢😊
The pups and I are inside, watching a storm coming in. The wind is beginning to howl but the dogs don’t mind and are sleeping soundly. Your video fits the mood perfectly and your playing is beautiful as always. Thanks
Ben, it is so heartwarming to see a young person with such an interest in local history and its relation to their own heritage, but most of all, one who reveres their faith in our Lord, God. These are beautiful presentations you produce here. Thanks for sharing your many talents with us. Aside, I almost sense that this video was inspired/dedicated to the loss of someone close to you. God bless you and be well.
Excellent. But your videos are wasted on RU-vid. A BBC TV producer should pick up on them, and have them broadcast each Sunday on BBC1 before the happy-clappy uber-woke “Songs Of Praise” - or, better still, instead of it. 😂
Great idea, but please do not those of us who live elsewhere. RU-vid allows us to see, and enjoy such wonderful presentations, and to make contributions.
I have now enjoyed numerous selections of your offerings as a subscriber & just wish to make this public observation. Your musical talents are without question, but your ability to convey a "story" with historical impact is impeccable. You are a "master" in tutorial offerings & lessons with regards to your musical passions. I am truly impressed & so very happy to await all your future offerings. Yes, I am no expert & do not pretend to be! Yet, you have validated to me; a somewhat "aged" old man; that we can always learn & enjoy extremely interesting "tutorials" from "TRUE MUSICAL" masters like yourself. Thank you for sharing this & any future offerings! You are an extremely talented artist & person!
Ben, I truly love your videos - your wonderful historical accounts of church and organ, your videography, and, most certainly, your organ playing. I'm familiar with most of the pieces you play, especially the hymns, having grown up singing them in traditional Methodist churches throughout my 79 years. A dream of mine is to fly to Salisbury and have you provide my wife and me a private tour of some of the local churches and witness first-hand your beautiful artistry on the organs. Thank you for your helping to promote and preserve this wonderful music.
Ben, Bravo! As I sit here in Los Angeles on a cool but sunny Tuesday morning I once again sigh in great appreciation for your postings, videography, artistry and calm sensibility. In the rush that is called "modern life" your emphasis on thoughtfulness and the effect of contemplation and spirtiuality presented with your sincerity and smile are like salve on an open wound. As the son of a church organist who never missed a Sunday in sixty-five years and an Architect who designed and built at least fifteen churches in the American Midwest you remind me of my roots and bring back importances that we most certainly share. Thanks for sharing your journey. I look forward to your next video with anticipation. /RayK
I’m in the Pasadena area. Ditto everything you said except being from the Midwest, etc. Ben really transports us from the mostly unscenic environs of our region to another world.
Greetings from a very hot South Africa. A most inspirational video and beautifully done as usual. I look forward to your videos. They are a perfect respite from a lot of nonsensical nonsense found on RU-vid.Your playing makes me appreciate organ music even more. Well done and thank you.
Again, I am so down into your videos. You mannerisms, you love of thelandscaoe and architecture, and your deep sympathy to music. In this turbulent world, such contemplative peace, interest, and meaning into my little world. I am an organist in a fine country church, with a lovely 9 rank 1895 instrument. I am an arborist,-forester by day! Peace be with you, dear man.
Thank you for traversing the floods to bring us your wonderful embrace of Epiphany. And what is also my own favourite Epiphany hymn, played on such a charming organ. You reflect the spirit of the age with love and quietness. You are a charm for us all. God bless you and all your travels.
Hi Ben. Along with myself, many people are reading Marcus Aurelius lately. Happy New Year. "Memento Mori" Remember you must die. A very Stoic principle. Your gifts make all those resting within and around the church yard glad. In my minds eye, wherever you play, I see them gathered inside the church admiring your playing for them, in the lonely rain. How beautiful.
What a beautiful and contemplative video Ben - one to be treasured. Thank you so much for the way that you display both church and organ. I look forward to your next visit.
Thanks so much for this very moving addition to your videos. All of the pieces are especially appropriate to the Epiphany season and comforting. I especially appreciate "Brightest and Best" and the final tribute of "I know that my Redeemer liveth" was very powerful and at the same time, soothing. As well, your improvisations were lovely, as always. Your abilities at the organ are well matched to those of historian, and provide an incredible result. All of the selected locations are beautiful; Enford is, indeed, very special. Many, many thanks. And, greetings from "sunny Florida USA", although not today, which weather seemed to match that of your video.
Dear Ben Wishing you a very Happy New Year 2024. How wonderful to listen and meditate to the gracious wonders of yet another English Church 'All Saints' of Enford. Its amazing to hear the history of the church. From the barrel organ to composed music and played 'Strengthened with all might' how befitting to hear an array of all works of music.The vision of this church of outside beauty and inside is - yes as if time stood still and yet enjoying the solitude of blessed silence a meditative spiritual voice infuses the essence of freedom to be in the present. Ben you enlighten the day with gladness. Can't wait to see the next English church that will grace another day. Thankyou and God bless.
Another outstanding video. What noble and sweet tones that organ produces. Thank you for displaying the hymn words. It makes the experience complete to include their beautiful poetry.
Thank you for another inspirational program. Thanks for sharing your knowledge , skill, and passion for what you do. Also the scenery and photography are just beautiful.
So sweet that you could play "I know That My Redeemer Liveth" for Julia, the young wife and mother who passed so long ago, probably in childbirth, as so many young women used to. It seems a very fitting tribute to someone none of remember, now. "Brightest and Best" is in my old Presbyterian hymnal, and I'm feeling the urge to go play it on my piano, now. Thank you for showing us another part of England that we'll probably never get to visit!
It is glaringly obvious that you are a man who truly loves his work; your knowledge and mastery of your craft is only surpassed by your genuine enthusiasm...which is quite catching, like the flu but in a much nicer way. Well done Ben.
Ben, I discovered you just before Christmas 2023 when I came down with COVID. Your videos kept me company during my "home alone" holiday. Thank you! I look forward to each new video. Donna
31:22 please be inspired by all those of us who are inspired by YOU. Mental health issues, chronic depression and anxiety, all these limitations are lifted and temporarily dispersed by your devotion and commitment leading us, in your own way, out of our world and closer to The Most High: "Brightest and best are the Sons of The Morning ". Thank you
Ben, you bring peace and tranquility to our lives with your wonderful videos which are always so interesting and informative combined with your superb music. I love your explanation of each organ in every church you visit and the history of these beautiful and historic buildings. Thank you.
Ben, everything you post is truly a delight. Your compositions are really beautiful. I work as a historical interpreter in the summer and I regularly play a Carl Frei street organ as part of my job. It is a really awesome instrument but it doesn't like the wild temperature changes in Michigan. It was really fascinating to see a mechanical instrument converted to a church organ. Each time I watch I imagine what fun it would be to go on one of these adventures with you. ~Kimberly
