It is so sad that many Organs in Churches have been destroyed. I like to play and listen to Bach . Thank you Ben for explaining the history of the music before you play it.
Ben, thank you for playing Elgar's "Nimrod" so beautifully. I'll consider it in memoriam to my Auntie Mimi who passed due to COVID in 2022 at age 90. She was a pianist, and the organist at Berkshire Valley Presbyterian Church in N.J. USA. for decades. Peace to you. ☮️
@@SalisburyOrganist Will you be posting the pieces to your Shopify page, as you did with your Advent mini-recitals? I have all of your Shopify items, including your CD in both digital and physical form; I have them uploaded into an iTunes playlist and listening to them all is so restful and uplifting at once. I would love to be able to add any of your Lenten mini-recitals to it...? It's a way I can support your channel and get something back as well. (I am unaware if adding more items would result in a charge to you; if so, I understand if you decline for that reason.) Thank you for your music, your travelogues, your history and music lessons
Organs are quirky, unpredictable, and noisy. That kind of sounded like a description of women. Putting all jokes aside, thank you so much for your contact, Ben! I believe that you are doing God‘s work. I am a young woman in Indianapolis, Indiana, and United States and I appreciate everything that you do.
An exceptional time spent with Ben and another village organ. This was also mixed in with delightful scenery and brief history of the church. To top it off, there was a sensitive and insightful narration by Ben. Keep smiling!
Is there any more evocative site and sound than a beautiful English village Church on a beautiful Spring day with blue sky and the crows calling, building their nests. Then the sound of Bach on the organ during lent with the Church adorned in purple livery. Where would we be without our Faith? Thank you Ben for another lovely journey.
Dear Ben, Your video was beautiful. My dear English mum died one year ago. She loved organs and churches. Elgar's Nimrod was special for me. Your music helps me celebrate this Lenten Season.
I always have a reflective experience when I listen to Nimrod, and especially so after viewing your latest video, Ben. I had it played at my mother's funeral six years ago. She was a WAAF during the second world war and was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in 1945. With your playing, the beautiful church, and perfectly lovely village surroundings, how could I not help shedding a tear. Thank you Ben, for commemorating my mother Jean, this day.
Ben, today's choice of venue, organ and music excelled........the combination of your narrative and voice alongside stunning performances does indeed transport my thoughts and emotions as you quite rightly suggest......... a most spiritually reflective period of time spent with you this afternoon. Thanks ever wo much. Chris
Thank you Ben, That was a rich experience and particularly so hearing Elgar's piece. The outward view of the church building along with the quality of sound and music brought to mind albeit fleetingly, of this scripture: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." 2nd Cor. 4:16
60 + years ago our high school choir sang Bach Corral, Sleepers Wake in 8 part harmony every class for a warm up song. JS Bach brings back fond memories to this day! Lovely music! Can’t get enough of your videos! ❤
Hello Heart Messenger Ben . Your music, voice, thoughts, love of God and all that is beautiful, accompanied my Morning Prayer today. Third repeat this video Blessings
Elgar's Nimrod always tears at my heart, it is synonymous with the Great War and the loss of so many who gave their lives fighting for the freedoms which today we take for granted and which, sadly, so many abuse.
A lovely and emotional gift to us today Ben. My person in my heart, my True Love Spouse of Loving Memory, Gene. 1930-2013. Blessings and Love to you , my friend Ben
Ben thank you for these videos. When i was a young man living in England, exploring ancient churches was my hobby. Now i am old and crippled but your videos bring back the sights and smells and feelings i had long ago. A future you will be so glad you did this.
hello, Dan (I'm assuming that's your name). As an elderly English lover and occasional player of the organ, now living in New Zealand. I'd love to know where you live. Best wishes, Clive
Absolutely beautiful! It DID resonate with me as a reminder of my father. Love your videos, the exploring, the stories, the colour commentary and of course the music.
Mr Maton, thank you very much for this beautiful video. The churches, their history, the scenery where you take us and your music , all give me very, very nice moments. Danielle, from Montréal, Québec.
Thank you so much, Ben. Nimrod was one of my wife's and my favourite pieces of music. Your sensitive playing brought back many happy memories of our 54 years together.
Ben…you are charming…likeable…talented. A perfect combination for a brilliant future. Thank you for sharing your love of organs and churches. I’m blessed with every video you post.
It doesn’t matter what organ, what venue, or what day…that piece ALWAYS transports me…and all the more from an empty country church. Thanks for that Ben. And then your final outro piece put a flippin’ tear in my eye. Keep up the good work.
In case it isn't clear: the "Andrew Carnegie of Skibo Castle" had to have been Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist & philanthropist. The Wikipedia article on him says he generally avoided religious causes, so it might be interesting to look into why he graced this parish with a gift.
Andrew Carnegie was very 'into' music; his wife was a member of the main New York women's choir; and he funded the 'Carnegie Music Hall' outright, to the tune of $2million. He paid for about 7,000 organs in total . . . . and this funding request came from St. Andrew's church. How could he refuse? 😇😇
Dear Ben, thank you for another fine video. In it you speak of the tranquility of the surroundings. I find a lot of tranquility in the way you speak to us listeners and explain the things you come across in these churches.
Oh my. Another wonderful week of great English countryside and amazing organ music. I often play Nimrod during Lent and will be playing it this forthcoming Sunday. It truly fed my soul when you played it today. Thank you ever so much.
Thank you, Ben, for yet another thoughtful, sympathetic and excellent choice of music, beautifully played, so that the organ's imperfections did not seem to exist . Lets hope we can increase your subscribers to get it to be a much visited channel! Donation made!
rclose23 Certainly just as you stated, Bens videos are each a dream come true- This handsome Englishman's Love of God, His Church, and all that is beautiful stirs my soul and all who view. Every time.
Many thanks Ben, your visits to these churches is always a welcome treat, this one in particular as St Andrew’s Nunton seemed so pretty in its sunny springtime setting and glorious interior and so well-kept. To think Andrew Carnegie donated to install the organ was curious. As a Scot and American philanthropist he donated so very far and wide. Amongst a huge benefaction, he built and stocked educational libraries and institutions throughout colonial Australia for the education of working people as he benefited from such as a boy. Your playing was quite sublime, and your choice of Charles Wesley’s hymn for Lent perfect.
Hey Ben, you visited after I made the suggestion, was great to see your tour of this lovely church, and to hear the organ there, we noted the plaque showing the previous organists dedication for all those years of amazing service, really enjoying all your road trips too, keep doing them
A timely watch for me. I have a clear memory of my father, a Pastor, singing ‘Jesu Lover of my soul’. It had such a striking melody to me as a child listening . Thank you for your suggestion to dedicate Nimrod to a loved one as in 4 days it will be the second anniversary of his passing. He lived for his faith and was well loved by all.
1908 - 1970? Wow! Mr. Fray was on the bench for a very long time. And he was probably in his teens when he started playing in church. The photo looks to have been taken near the end of his service. I would say the late 1960s or possibly even his final Sunday.
Interestingly, Jillie, the brass plaque records that the organ wasn't installed untill 1909, a year after his appointment. You may be interested in my comments above about the generosity of Andrew Carnegie . . . .
Thanks! Beautifully played, sensitive commentary. So long as you don't recruit a less than talented soprano--even your wife--I'll continue to contribute.
I have always loved pipe organs, and used to turn the music pages for our church organist every Sunday! I also grew up with the pure joy and soul stirring excitement of Easter and the film, and live Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall in New York…. It was all exhilarating, but I especially loved listening to, and feeling the dual console, 4 manual, 58 rank Wurlitzer theatre organ….. the 32’ Bombarde pipes would gently shake the huge 6300 seat auditorium…. That would send shivers down my spine! Thank you soo much for sharing your talents, and producing fine heartfelt videos…..!
This episode is definitely my favourite so far. Just because of the music you've played. Thank you so much for playing "Nimrod." It was very moving, and it made me cry. This piece is very important for me, and hearing you play it, well, goosebumps and tears... Thank you so, so much! I know it's a lot of work to create this video's, but it's highly appreciated. ❤ Saying "hello" from the Netherlands.
And 'Nimrod', well, one of my all-time favourite compositions. With a lot of memories of people that are not any longer amongst us. Thank you man, with love from Amsterdam.
Thank you Ben for another amazing video you played today you give me such joy I dedicate your playing to my dearest husband who we to the lord 15 yrs this yr
I realy love you chanel, Ben. I would love to see sister chanels of yours, with orther organists of different countries exploring humble churchs, villages and playing organs in their respectiv countries. France, Germany, Netherland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, etc etc etc... What a journey in the very soil of ou culture could it be.
Thank you Ben for visiting this amazing church and her organ which my husband Lester mentioned to you that we visited this church many times last year on enroute to hospital apps whilst preparing for my back op which has now been successfully done. The compilation of music played for this vlog was poignant and resonated accordingly, its coming up 4 years soon since we lost both of our mums to Covid and the mums loved Nimrod. Thank you. Lynette x
March 14…and the second time I listened to this. And I learned something I had not really attended to the first time. But the Nimrod is so soothing, so gentle, so peaceful … and the sunset views of the churchyard and the dimming light indoors … the perfect way to get my mind to wind down for bedtime. I’ve saved this to my playlist called “restful music.” I’d love an entire video of that and similar pieces in mood and tempo. Or a CD/download. ✨ Peace. ✨
What wonderful service Mr Fray gave to this church. My Aunt Doll gave the same to her Methodist church. I thought of her during Nimrod. Who needs a swell pedal when you can achieve a beautiful slow crescendo by changing stops and manuals. I also appreciated the brief foray into unison on Aberystwyth. The sounds you coax from these vintage organs is nothing short of miraculous. It is a product of your knowledge, experience and feeling for the capacities of the instrument. Well done again.
Simply & emotionally appealing. As an "aged" individual, I truly appreciate your exceptional "tutorials" on the musical entrees to which I was never talented enough to pursue. Each offering made by you teaches me the musical lessons I should have been aware of but was not talented enough to achieve! Your musical mastery along with your ability to explain & guide us viewers is simply amazing & greatly appreciated. You are a "master instructor" & worthy of my sincere admiration. Thank you for sharing this post. This is Peter; out!
Charles Wesley wrote the words to Jesu Lover of My Soul while he was hiding in a haystack, fleeing from a mob that wanted to kill him. I forget what tune it was first sung to, but it was not so good a fit as Aberswyth, but then how could it be? Thanks for another great video. Brilliant Nimrod, btw, imho.
Thank you Ben for all your videos. As I watch them, I have Google Maps open at the church you are visiting. I live in Australia, but my 3xgreat grandfather came from Wiltshire, the village of Oaksey to be precise. His coming to Australia was not voluntary, but we've done pretty well. With regard to the Nimrod, that is one of the most sensitive and touching performances of it I have ever heard. Too often it is hurried through and the effect is diminished. I noticed the same thing with the Bach Toccata and Fugue in Dm which I also listened to today. Thank you again.
Thank you Ben for sharing this. I loved learning about St Andrew's Church in Nunton. So informative I loved the stain glass windows. The music you played was done with such warmth and feeling and made me feel very emotional. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇿🇦
Hi Mr Maton, I''m an avid follower from Alaska and I wanted you to know that the recent installment titled " REFLECTIVE and EMOTIONAL MUSIC..." was spot on with me. The location and music was excellent. Your showing of the wall hanging with the names of the local parish's WW 1 war dead was very poignant because my wife is from the clan Guthrie, and when we visited her family church in Scotland a couple of years back. I saw there, on a similar wall, a list of that parish's WW1 war dead. Seeing and hearing that parish minister explain the local history was an eye-opening moment for me. Then your lead up to "Nimrod" was peppered with several opinions I differed with, on my part, and had me tumbling how to respond. Despite all that, I sat in my easy chair listening to your episode and counting my blessings to have lived long enough to hear the next generation of musicians recount our shared history. The tears rolled down my cheeks hearing Elgar's music played on a simple, slightly flawed village church organ, and reflect that families an ocean away in England had sacrificed their sons to the "War to End All Wars". Music expresses the inexpressible feelings of our heart. And I thank you for what you do.
