Ben, I am a pastor in a reformed church in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. I just want to say that I enjoy your videos very much. In every video there is something spiritual speaking to my soul. Thank you, and thanks to the Lord🙏
Ben, you are more than just an organist, you are an eloquent historian. Your video documentaries combining music, architecture and history are of the very highest quality. You should have a million subscribers. 🙏🕍🎹🎶
To have gone from no musical knowledge at 14 to an Organ Scholar at Oxford in 4 years is a superb achievement when I did Music O Level, many years ago now, if you passed then you were excerpt from Grade 6 Music Theory exams. I started my musical journey as a choirboy in a small parish church. I learned some piano, but my coordination isn’t good. At secondary school I had Violin Lessons and managed to get to Grade 6 ( that took 7 years, as one could only do one exam per year)
I cannot tell you how deeply I was moved watching this 101st video. It brought back memories of my own journey with the organ! The scenery is amazing, as well as St Mary’s Church and I loved hearing you play Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Such a beautifully moving video! My heart is full. Thank you!
Ben, I am a retired Episcopal (Anglican) priest in the USA and chaplain to the local guild of organists. I just donated to you with my credit card as I appreciate very much your beautiful and inspirational videos highlighting these lovely country parishes and the various organs therein; many of your meditations are much better than sermons I've heard in church! Well done good servant and please keep playing all those classic hymns we love.
Music is not really my life, but that doesn’t matter because walks in the country and history are what I love. And you connect everything together so beautifully - the music, the walks, the history, the stories and poems. I don’t think it was the church at Alvediston that changed your life, it was actually your inspiration for recognizing that you have the talent to weave all these things together and produce something magical that changed it. Liz ❤
From Pedal Excercitum to Minuet and Prelude. Ben’s 101st video continues to captivate us with music and scenery. Seldom has someone so upright and true started on a journey which has enriched so many lives. Great is thy faithfulness to cheer and to guide; blessings from all of us, with ten thousand beside!
Glad to hear that you have added a little bacon to the sandwich menu. My Lutheran confirmation was more than a half century ago, so it It is good to hear Bach again. Thanks!
Such serendipity in how we became musicians. Your story of your parents buying you a keyboard reminded me of my parents going into debt when I was nine years old to buy me a used piano because I was always banging on pianos whenever I saw one. Who knew then that I would go on to earn a music degree majoring in organ and minoring in choral conducting. Such is life.
Ben, if you had told me that I would sit in my cold office in the middle of an Australian winter, watching someone walk through a forest in England while telling his story of becoming an organist, I'd have said that you were crazy! But, of course, I did!!! Thank you for finishing on "Great is thy faithfulness". The secret is not how strong my faith is, but the greatness of HIS faithfulness...
I just watched your 100th video and sent it to our organist who is on vacation. I am an alto in the choir, play flute in church (Episcopal) occasionally, and am teaching myself guitar and (finally) getting around to tackling the bass clef on the piano so I can help my husband practice before Sundays. I am 75 years old, but not when I play or even listen to good music - then I am ageless. Just got the sheet music for Moonlight Sonata for both piano and guitar. Wish me luck. By the way - you blew me away at your choice of THE Canon - brought me to tears. Now I have to go back and watch your first 100! Thank you for what you are doing. I look forward to not just hearing you play great organs, but the historical context is so valuable and appreciated. Much love from Florida.
Congratulations on #101. We have a younger lady who is a good pianist working hard at learning the organ. Our 2 organists are getting a bit old. She wants to help out as she learns. I encourage her as often as I see her.
Yes!❤ I so agree with you, it adds immeasurably to the experience - leading us in to both the church and the story! Ben really has a gift for not just music, but for communication in general and exhibits an almost innate understanding of the art.
Much respect from a pianist who has adapted to the electronic organ. My feet were never trained to play like that so I can only imagine (and marvel) Bach exercises on the pedals.
Thank you for sharing your story Ben, you have an amazing gift in story telling, filming and faith building…. All appreciated.. God bless you .. the knowledge you share and passion for the piped organ is inspiring….
If you follow the “more” link under the video, you can go to his shop and download lots of his music. Once you have them on your device, you can put them on a CD. If you can’t do it yourself then any computer shop should be able to do it for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole video. Glad I found you. Loved the ending hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, I'll feel uplifted for the rest of the day now. Keep up the good work.
What a lovely walk through the forest to the Church at Hale. My Great Grandfather was the Head gardener of Hale House back in the early 1900's so was lovely to see the church where my Grandmother and Grandfather were married in 1919.😊
I started playing the violin when I was 13yo. And I was obsessed with it for many many years although I didn't make it professionally. A few months ago I gave myself a keyboard like you mentioned as a birthday present. And now I'm teaching it to myself with the help of an app on my smartphone which is gorgeous. I love organ music since I was a very young kid. My grandfather whom I never met was a teacher and organist. My grandmother played the piano pretty well but passed away when I was 4. Your videos inspired me to start playing the keyboard. It's not important to me how far I come. I enjoy every day. If I were near you I'd love to have you as a teacher ❤.
I do not have the talent nor musical background to offer any meaningful comment to such a wonderfully personal & moving musical testimonial just shared by you! I do & completely understand the musical reference points you have recently made in your past few offerings - AND - these points strongly resonate for me personally! Very few of us viewing your videos are "in your league" musically, but how wonderfully welcoming & nurturing you are in directing your message to this following. As stated before, Sundays are "MUST WATCH" entries for your offerings & I am so happy to be a Patreon supporter to further your efforts. This is Peter M; out!
I'm sure you would have been a very careful, meticulous and creative software engineer, Ben, but I'm glad you took the other path, which involved delving through a different New Forest. Once you decide that a given goal will be accomplished, the people around you should consider it done, because one way or the other, it will be! And yet you have a personality that allows for that level of determination while at the same time retaining an interior joy and profound appreciation of beauty regardless of where it's found -- in music, a deep forest, a stained glass window or soaring above broad pastures and meadows. You bring your happiness with you and then bring it all back to the editing room to share it with others. I would call that a ministry. Thanks so much.
What a story of utter dedication, determination and delicious honing a true talent enhanced by sensitive, intelligent research, wistfulness and philosophical erudition. Thank you! A great way to start my tour of your back catalogue! Rob
Wonderful to follow your traces to be a musician. I hope, that the people, who watch this Video, are being inspired to make music. To begin with playing and learning an instrument or singing. May it simple, as it can be but it is self-made music. Nothing can replace a self played piece of music. And it makes the world a little bit better. People, who are making music, do not evil things.
Thanks for walking for us! It was more than worth it. Hooray for you choosing music too. Much more fulfilling than IT. We didn’t have keyboards when I started, so I played an imaginary piano and hummed the tunes. (Usually Sunday School hymns or 50’s pop songs). You won’t regret a day of choosing music.
Hey Ben, this is a great video: walking, beautiful countryside, a superb little church, a great organ and wonderful music played by you! Lovely to hear the history, including your own musical journey! A special video. It says so much about you AND WE LOVE IT! (And thank you for helping to bring some peace and hope into what has been a dreadful period in the UK).
Went to Sunday school this morning, then a steamboat ride on the Mississippi in New Orleans for brunch. Now I’m at home watching my favorite organist in UK on UA-cam. Ain’t life grand! Hope everyone had a blessed one!
When I was 12 I got an accordion for Christmas, I started lessons shortly after and played my first competition when I was 13. Been playing ever since.
Back in the '80's it was a very annoying pipey "on hold" music on the telephone. Xylophone maybe, same first line over and over and over. On hold with Petzold.
Excellent, Ben. I would love to hear more about your musical journey , though, getting from GCSE Music to Oxford Scholar must be at least one more video, surely. Not to mention learning all about keys! Looking forward to seeing it! (Donated)
Dear Ben! On the 3rd of August, on the farewell feast of Our Lady of Havas, I prayed for my friends and those whom I know through the Internet in a 500-year-old St. Francis monastery. For artists, monks, priests serving the Lord Jesus, and organists. It's amazing that Ben has mastered skills in such a short time that would take others many years. Kudos to Ben for his persistent hard work and dedication to learning music, with which he brings so many uplifting joyful moments to his followers. Gratitude and thanks to the parents for their support. Thank you, Ben, for inviting us on a long pilgrimage to St. Mary's Church, and in the meantime we were able to learn about his musical history through Ben's words. The countryside of England could also be in my country. Perhaps there are not as many castles and ancient churches as in your country. Unfortunately, there are castle ruins, due to the Turkish subjugation. I saw many branching roads on your pilgrimage, I would have gotten lost on this road.. Great shots were taken with your phone, the play of the sun's rays was especially impressive. Today we celebrated the miraculous transfiguration, transfiguration, and glorification of the Lord.. Finally, with today's holiday prayer, I thank all the blessings I received from Ben. Our "May the Divine Light of our Lord Jesus Christ shine in our hearts and change us into His image" In the title page of the video I see a happy smile on your face..at the end of the video the suffering Christ..your movie is wonderful. Thank you for every moment.💥🙏💕
Hey Ben, great respect for what you are doing. Great organist. I fell in love with a little Anglican chapel in Scotland when I was a very young man stationed there in the U.S. military. The young Vicar became my friend. It was just the three of us stood there in the chapel for my confirmation into the Scottish Episcopal Church. It was the Vicar, myself, and the BISHOP OF ARGYLE SCOTLAND! Not bad for a little country boy from the American South. I later learned that it was the Bishop of Argyle who secretly ordained American priests behind England's back during the American revolution. Amazing! I had a grandmother who was a Campbell and I got to see Invarery Castle while I was there. I wish I looked up the seats or villages of my English ancestors who came to Carolina in the 16 and 17 hundreds. There are some remote islands there where they have English accents from that time. They sound like pirates. Ha Ha! I am an artist. I use to go hiking through the woods looking for old abandoned plantation houses and churches. Many of the churches were Anglican. Usually red brick Georgian in style with unplastered red brick columns. I would photograph them and do paintings from the photos. Perhaps you should consider doing that. You could enlist an artist friend or some art students to do some paintings of those lovely old churches you visit. You could then make prints of the artwork and sell them in your webb shop, with copyright permission of the artists of course. The prints would help promote the artist and stir interest in those beautiful old churches (and the organs in them). It is so excited hearing a pipe organ fire up, especially when you hit those low notes and it makes the windows rattle. I love it. Your playing and story telling is excellent. Keep up the good work. I am sure all the great organist who came before you are watching and applauding from the other side.
Ben, about the art prints of the churches- ----- some of them should be very subdued and traditional in style, while others are very vibrant with electric colors, to suit different buyers tastes. You can take "artistic license" and place things in the art that in reality is not even there. For example, one church could be dressed for Christmas with lite dusting of snow on the ground and shimmering lights in cone shaped trees. Another could be deliberately spooky, with autumnal gold and orange leaves, pumpkins on the ground for Halloween, and even a white wispy ghost figure near a tombstone in the churchyard. This would not have been appropriate in the past but people today are so full of fantasy and imagination ,because of television and movies I think . Millions of dollars worth of art is bought and sold on the Internet today and people expect to pay a little more for art than they would for other things.
Ben , an amazing documentary video, watching you in the USA , New York 🇺🇸at a time eighty days from Election Day , tensions running high, watching your beautiful video walking through the grassy fields brought me such peace.🕊️ God bless you ❤ thank you Richard
One of my favourites, Great is Thy Faithfulness❤ sadly l can only sing an octave lower these days but the words to the 3rd verse even came back to me. Your playing is divine, the English countryside sublime. Thank you, on the Lord's Day no less! ❤
Dear Ben, Thank you for your entertaining video this week, wonderful to hear how you began your musical journey! You definitely started with a natural ear for music, for sure! My hope is that I can use your hilarious description (tastefully jiggley) in a serious conversation soon!!! I loved it! Looking forward to your next video, Nancy F.
Good afternoon Ben. I enjoyed the hike to the church. We too have hiking trails in my part of southern Missouri in the central part of the United Stated. I saw on a recent issue of "The Free Reed" (an email part of the Reed Organ Society) that you recently became a member of the Society. I am too. Get to know a man...Rodney Jantzi. He's a reed organ professional and has many fantastic videos on UA-cam that I think you would enjoy. As a reed organ restorer, Rodney is one of the "hero's" of the reed organ society and he too has restore many organs. I know you are thousands of miles away but if we were neighbors, I'd be a pest...bothering you often to hear you play and going with you in your journeys to play organs. The organ, and especially the reed organ, is one of my passions, even though I am only a self taught "organist". A friend of mine in the past gave me a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church hymnal and taught myself to play a handful of hymns and I love them. I play them over and over (because that's all I can play) because I love the majestic sounds of the organ. Thank You so much for sharing these presentations with us that are less talented. I wish I knew you as a neighbor. Your presentations are a real highlight to my week. Again...Thank You.
I saw that notice in the latest ROS Quarterly as well! One of the first things I ever purchased after high school (50 years ago!) was a reed organ. I'm currently doing some restoration work on it. Last week I found an 1857 M&H Melodeon at a local consignment shop and I'm fixing that up as well.
I always look forward to Monday morning here in New Zealand knowing my week starts with a organ treat. It was lovely to hear some of the history of your musical journey Ben and to see the beautiful scenery and history of St Mary’s thank you
Ben- you’re such a God- given inspiration to us all ! I love your 101st you-tube video walking in New Forest of Hale, towards St. Mary’s Church. You have such a calming voice tracing your journey of learning the organ. Your recounting the background of these “tucked-away,” churches is really preserving their history! God bless you & keep your safe in all your pilgrimages !
Another Sunday also what a amazing video it was this wk what with your touching story of how you began playing the organ so dedicated as a young boy to how hard you studied and got to Oxford what a wonderful journey you took us to the new forest my husband band and I have had some wonderful memories of such wonderful holidays in the new forest and see the flagship of h m s victory 😊 whose is a great hero of are country of Norfolk I have been on that glorious ship in Portsmouth such is your ways you put your videos together are amazing ❤ till we see you again Ben take care
It’s a mysterious journey to finding our vocation and passions. I enjoyed your story of becoming a musician. These Sunday videos help make what is usually a melancholy day into a celebration. Always enjoy a visit to England as well! Sending an American hug your way 🤣!
Happy centenary, congratulations on your 101st video! It is wonderful to learn about the bright path you are journeying on, with a further insight into your unconventional beginnings as a musician. This bright path has now reached such a worthy purpose, bringing glorious music and locations to many, and in doing so, providing such solace and healing. It struck me when reading a few comments, that you are now a companion to many who are unable to reach these places. I enjoyed your choice for the very first classical piece you learned, and your synthesiser influences. May your bright path continue to shine, for His glory. I am excited to see where it leads.
Ben-your post are AMAZING and so informative. Loved the picturesque scenery as you walked to the church, your dialogue concerning your keyboard beginning, and of course your playing. You spend so much time with your post, and I personally thank you. Blessings
Happy 101st, Ben. Glad to have traveled the journey with you. Bach’s prelude on St. Mary’s organ was as good as I’ve ever heard. Yes, you are good company and balm to the soul. But, must we wait another 100 episodes before hearing the next part of your musical journey (at Oxford and as a parish organist)? Can’t wait to see where you and your new caravan will be taking us!
I enjoyed listening to you telling the story of becoming a musician. From all I know from your other videos you come from a very musical family. Listening to your older recordings from Oxford and Salisbury churches you have come a long way very fast. And with your winning personality giving us all the background history to each church and its setting in a beautiful landscape together with the music makes your videos very special. I enjoy them very much. Thank you!
What a very nice story, set with beautiful imagery from the English country-side! I also started playing the keyboard at 10, as a teenager, that was considered "cool", but in more serious musical circles (I also play the trombone, starting not long after the keyboard) it was considered more a toy than a musical instrument... When I was 15, I had used all the rhythmic styles and all the sounds in all keyboards we owned, and I needed a better challenge. We didn't have the money for a serious piano (let alone the maintenance), so I came to the idea to play the electronic organ instead, there were still many around in the mid 1990s, and you could get them practically for free! My keyboard teacher (who also thought the electronic organ) at first didn't want to teach me the organ, as he thought I would have the make a huge step backwards to learn the pedals. But I could convince him by showing what I could play after a practicing a couple of days 😀. The organ seemed to be a good choice and the cheap electronic organ was replaced by a real Hammond tonewheel organ soon. Later I wanted to develop myself more, and as the (catholic) churches in the area where I grew up always had a demand for organ players, I could play in a couple of churches, including the one with the most beautiful organ in the area! During my university days, I didn't play in churches anymore (except once on my grandmother's funeral), but when I moved to Switzerland, I met somebody who became my best friend. He only took piano lessons as a child, but ended up on the church organ. Since then (15 years ago), I regularly play in many churches on many instruments, usually just for fun, not for service. We are both members of an organ society, making many excursions, and we are very happy that there are people like you on UA-cam! The English countryside will definitely be worth a trip!
I have enjoyed the views from the countryside, the music, your story, your walk through the forest... loved everything in this video. Im not a native speaker of English, but I must confess I understand you completely! You speak beautifully and your accent is delightful too. 🙏
When Ben added the harmony at 8:45, the music became so much more alive! It filled my mind with images. It was so helpful to see the harmony's role to a piece of music overall.
The hardest thing about learning the organ for me was toe to heel in the pedals. I'd got up to Grade 7 piano so the manuals were not so much of a difficulty although piano technique and organ technique are very different Ben I really enjoyed this video of your own musical journey. Thanks very much for all this
Dear ben, thank for your facinating forays into the lovely little village churches dotted around our country, there to get the very best out of instruments that have stood the test of time. Sadly, some of these are seldom played, so it is a joy when they are not only demonstrated so ably, but made available to be heard around the world. I wish you every success, and if you venture down to the westcountry any time soon you have an open invitation to play our lovely compton organ at saint peter and the holy apostles church, wyndham square, plymouth. The organ console is detached from the pipework so the congregation can see the console and organist - unlike the situation you often find, where you are squashed into a small space! The one disadvantage being that it is not unknown for folk to think it ok to suddenly try to strike up a conversation with you whilst playing a voluntary. Does that ever happen to you? Once someone congratulated me with a hearty slap on the back while i was still concentrating on the piece. It nearly made me jump out of my skin! Your rendering of the funeral music for queen mary was particularly lovely. Keep up your pilgrimage of music and poetry. Julian davies. Organist, st peters plymouth.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me...I just found your channel....God has given you this gift and you are sharing it....from Canada I wish you God's richest blessings
Well it’s been settled settled; you & Billie are definitely blood brothers. In this episode as you made your way down the landscape it was apparent in your handsome continence but in a thousand small looks and gestures.So Billied was not left behind by the Summer carnival after it broke camp and moved on. Your much anticipated videos grow deeper and more ressonent with the passing seasons. At 70 years old you continue to wish to look deeper on where you are really taking us but also to look outward to see another view. So here on UA-cam we get to spend time with a gentle great thinker. So glad we have met. Music and a university education on Sunday nigh. You are a joy to be here to illuminate the coming week bathed in a glad light. A handsome fella with a vast pool and tender toughs spread out to take in. I think there is a life partner out there who will be lucky or is lucky. I sincerely wish you will one day be a teacher and well recognized. You offer so many so much in so many ways I wish you all the best and before Hallowe’en I will get a substantial patrons support check to you. You are the epitome of what is good and decent in. Fluid English culture and that needs to supported and maintained.
What a beautiful scenery and forest. I pray it remains the same and undeveloped. Thank you for your explanation of your journey to become the great Organist you are and sharing it with us. I love to listen to you playing the Organ.
Dear Ben , your videos bring such joy, I can't tell you. Sadly, i am not in a position to assist with funding but wish with a my heart that i could. I bless the day i came across your channel. Long may you continue! Bless you.
Thanks for the journey Ben. As a music graduate I can appreciate that learning to play and master an instrument is a journey not a race. The only difference with singing is that we have to build the instrument and then teach a student how to play it.
Thank you Ben for sharing your humble beginnings as a musician before you became a superb musician. Every time I watch your videos, you give me a little tour while sitting on my couch.
As one of your patrons, I've enjoyed hearing your music and the stories of the churches you play in. In this video I've enjoyed learning more about your musical history and got a brief lesson on the organ, thanks for another lovely few minutes together. I love the nature scenes from the New Forest, nice and welcome addition to the journey
Dear Ben. Music + History + Nature + Architecture + Editing. You’ve got them all. My wife and I have booked a walk on part of the Cotswolds for this coming October. Seeing your videos of the countryside around Salisbury makes it tempting to want to pass through that area after our walk as we head to the southwest coast of England and Wales for another part of our journey. Thank you, for inspiring me on so many levels.
Con gran placer espero tus videos tan instructivos mostrando tu recorrido a traves de la bella naturaleza y la arquitectura que tan bien nos transmites mediante tus explicaciones, eres encantador, disfrutamos mucho con tus intervenciones musicales al órgano de cada iglesia del lugar, eres un maestro Ben, espero con impaciencia tu próxima creacion. Recibe un sentido abrazo virtual desde mi ciudad en el este del Reino de España junto al Mediterráneo.😊
Ben, I am a pastor in a reformed church in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. I just want to say that I enjoy your videos very much. In every video there is something spiritual speaking to my soul.
Thank you, and thanks to the Lord🙏
Ds Hector, stem volkome saam. Uit Kaapstad.
So glad your parents gave you a keyboard for Christmas despite your 'No!'😂
Thank you Mr & Mrs Maton 🥳🎹👏
Ben, you are more than just an organist, you are an eloquent historian. Your video documentaries combining music, architecture and history are of the very highest quality. You should have a million subscribers. 🙏🕍🎹🎶
Keep sharing, tell everyone how great these videos are!
Yes! Agreed! Absolutely the best I have ever heard.
Superb comment, which I totally agree with.
Lets help Ben reach 10,000,000 subscribers 🥳👏👍
Ben what I love most about your playing is that you play slowly, as if there is all the time in the world. This is heavenly.
We're all grateful they let you in the music program at the last minute.
I don't know when your birthday is, but I'm so glad you were born.
To have gone from no musical knowledge at 14 to an Organ Scholar at Oxford in 4 years is a superb achievement when I did Music O Level, many years ago now, if you passed then you were excerpt from Grade 6 Music Theory exams. I started my musical journey as a choirboy in a small parish church. I learned some piano, but my coordination isn’t good. At secondary school I had Violin Lessons and managed to get to Grade 6 ( that took 7 years, as one could only do one exam per year)
I cannot tell you how deeply I was moved watching this 101st video. It brought back memories of my own journey with the organ! The scenery is amazing, as well as St Mary’s Church and I loved hearing you play Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Such a beautifully moving video! My heart is full. Thank you!
Ben, I am a retired Episcopal (Anglican) priest in the USA and chaplain to the local guild of organists. I just donated to you with my credit card as I appreciate very much your beautiful and inspirational videos highlighting these lovely country parishes and the various organs therein; many of your meditations are much better than sermons I've heard in church! Well done good servant and please keep playing all those classic hymns we love.
Dear Ben, when I experience your visuals, commentary, music and aspirations... I think... maybe mankind is worthy of the Gift of Life.
UA-cam at its very best 🏆👏💻
Music is not really my life, but that doesn’t matter because walks in the country and history are what I love. And you connect everything together so beautifully - the music, the walks, the history, the stories and poems.
I don’t think it was the church at Alvediston that changed your life, it was actually your inspiration for recognizing that you have the talent to weave all these things together and produce something magical that changed it.
Liz ❤
Rather splendid forest bathing and a churchtour. A profound video full of real emotion and meaning. 🎩
From Pedal Excercitum to Minuet and Prelude. Ben’s 101st video continues to captivate us with music and scenery. Seldom has someone so upright and true started on a journey which has enriched so many lives. Great is thy faithfulness to cheer and to guide; blessings from all of us, with ten thousand beside!
Nicely put. Totally agree!
Just A M A Z I N G. what a blessing this young artist is
You're blessed to be from such a beautiful and historic region of God's great earth. Thanks for all you do, Ben.
I'm speechless; this was better than FANTASTIC!
Wow!
Glad to hear that you have added a little bacon to the sandwich menu. My Lutheran confirmation was more than a half century ago, so it It is good to hear Bach again. Thanks!
Such serendipity in how we became musicians. Your story of your parents buying you a keyboard reminded me of my parents going into debt when I was nine years old to buy me a used piano because I was always banging on pianos whenever I saw one. Who knew then that I would go on to earn a music degree majoring in organ and minoring in choral conducting. Such is life.
A lovely video with beautiful nature, good music and good company.
Ben, if you had told me that I would sit in my cold office in the middle of an Australian winter, watching someone walk through a forest in England while telling his story of becoming an organist, I'd have said that you were crazy! But, of course, I did!!! Thank you for finishing on "Great is thy faithfulness". The secret is not how strong my faith is, but the greatness of HIS faithfulness...
What an inspiring comment. Greetings from a fellow Christian and an Aussie!!
It was a great pleasure to join your journey becoming an organist,Ben ! Thank you for that pretty gift!
I just watched your 100th video and sent it to our organist who is on vacation. I am an alto in the choir, play flute in church (Episcopal) occasionally, and am teaching myself guitar and (finally) getting around to tackling the bass clef on the piano so I can help my husband practice before Sundays. I am 75 years old, but not when I play or even listen to good music - then I am ageless. Just got the sheet music for Moonlight Sonata for both piano and guitar. Wish me luck. By the way - you blew me away at your choice of THE Canon - brought me to tears. Now I have to go back and watch your first 100! Thank you for what you are doing. I look forward to not just hearing you play great organs, but the historical context is so valuable and appreciated. Much love from Florida.
Congratulations on #101.
We have a younger lady who is a good pianist working hard at learning the organ. Our 2 organists are getting a bit old. She wants to help out as she learns. I encourage her as often as I see her.
I love the way you walk us to these little churches as if in some much earlier age and transportation era-- no cars, etc, just us! Very beautiful ✝️⛪🥰
Yes!❤ I so agree with you, it adds immeasurably to the experience - leading us in to both the church and the story! Ben really has a gift for not just music, but for communication in general and exhibits an almost innate understanding of the art.
Yes, you are great company! Love this video, thanks for sharing this video.
Much respect from a pianist who has adapted to the electronic organ. My feet were never trained to play like that so I can only imagine (and marvel) Bach exercises on the pedals.
Another first class encounter with Ben a real pleasure as always and a perfect ending for a Sunday.
Blessings and thanks from Scotland 🙏
Thank you for sharing your story Ben, you have an amazing gift in story telling, filming and faith building…. All appreciated.. God bless you .. the knowledge you share and passion for the piped organ is inspiring….
I wish you'd bring out CD's. Old folks like me still play CD's.
He has it is called Mighty hymns at St Martins 🎉😊
If you follow the “more” link under the video, you can go to his shop and download lots of his music. Once you have them on your device, you can put them on a CD. If you can’t do it yourself then any computer shop should be able to do it for you.
Your videos are always a treat and an inspiration. I look forward to each one. You must have many fans round the world. I am one of them.
Always great company when you take us on a journey with one of your lovely videos.
A blessed Sunday to you from the Tonto National Forest in Arizona! Beautiful music! Thanks for sharing your music journey.
Thank you, Ben, for sharing your journey ❤. I am inspired and comforted with every episode. You are amazing and a gift to us. 🎉 Blessings to you 🤓
Gorgeous video. Wonderful music. Spectacular setting. I'm very happy with this one.
Smart parents. Tell them we say “thanks”.
What a really lovely man.he is at peace with himself and all around him,he exudes goodness and kindness.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole video. Glad I found you. Loved the ending hymn, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, I'll feel uplifted for the rest of the day now. Keep up the good work.
What a lovely walk through the forest to the Church at Hale. My Great Grandfather was the Head gardener of Hale House back in the early 1900's so was lovely to see the church where my Grandmother and Grandfather were married in 1919.😊
I started playing the violin when I was 13yo. And I was obsessed with it for many many years although I didn't make it professionally. A few months ago I gave myself a keyboard like you mentioned as a birthday present. And now I'm teaching it to myself with the help of an app on my smartphone which is gorgeous. I love organ music since I was a very young kid. My grandfather whom I never met was a teacher and organist. My grandmother played the piano pretty well but passed away when I was 4. Your videos inspired me to start playing the keyboard. It's not important to me how far I come. I enjoy every day. If I were near you I'd love to have you as a teacher ❤.
Good job! The scenery on your walk was beautiful. Thanks for all you do.
I do not have the talent nor musical background to offer any meaningful comment to such a wonderfully personal & moving musical testimonial just shared by you! I do & completely understand the musical reference points you have recently made in your past few offerings - AND - these points strongly resonate for me personally! Very few of us viewing your videos are "in your league" musically, but how wonderfully welcoming & nurturing you are in directing your message to this following. As stated before, Sundays are "MUST WATCH" entries for your offerings & I am so happy to be a Patreon supporter to further your efforts. This is Peter M; out!
I'm sure you would have been a very careful, meticulous and creative software engineer, Ben, but I'm glad you took the other path, which involved delving through a different New Forest.
Once you decide that a given goal will be accomplished, the people around you should consider it done, because one way or the other, it will be! And yet you have a personality that allows for that level of determination while at the same time retaining an interior joy and profound appreciation of beauty regardless of where it's found -- in music, a deep forest, a stained glass window or soaring above broad pastures and meadows. You bring your happiness with you and then bring it all back to the editing room to share it with others. I would call that a ministry. Thanks so much.
Perfectly stared, definitely a ministry.
@@angelasmith8721 I believe so. When you care about the people you're addressing, the work becomes more than a job.
Very well said.
@@Anagrams458 Thank you. 🙂
What a story of utter dedication, determination and delicious honing a true talent enhanced by sensitive, intelligent research, wistfulness and philosophical erudition. Thank you! A great way to start my tour of your back catalogue! Rob
Wonderful to follow your traces to be a musician.
I hope, that the people, who watch this Video, are being inspired to make music. To begin with playing and learning an instrument or singing. May it simple, as it can be but it is self-made music.
Nothing can replace a self played piece of music.
And it makes the world a little bit better. People, who are making music, do not evil things.
I am very grateful to you for sharing your journey with us. Your passion for and dedication to what you do is very much appreciated.
Thanks for walking for us! It was more than worth it. Hooray for you choosing music too. Much more fulfilling than IT. We didn’t have keyboards when I started, so I played an imaginary piano and hummed the tunes. (Usually Sunday School hymns or 50’s pop songs). You won’t regret a day of choosing music.
Hey Ben, this is a great video: walking, beautiful countryside, a superb little church, a great organ and wonderful music played by you! Lovely to hear the history, including your own musical journey! A special video. It says so much about you AND WE LOVE IT! (And thank you for helping to bring some peace and hope into what has been a dreadful period in the UK).
You are my favorite Sunday afternoon companion!
Went to Sunday school this morning, then a steamboat ride on the Mississippi in New Orleans for brunch. Now I’m at home watching my favorite organist in UK on UA-cam. Ain’t life grand! Hope everyone had a blessed one!
What a fantastic video, this was one of your best thanks for your hard work
When I was 12 I got an accordion for Christmas, I started lessons shortly after and played my first competition when I was 13. Been playing ever since.
The one tune by Christian Petzold towards the end sounded familiar it was a hit in the US during the 60s. The Toys singing Lovers Concerto!
Thank you for the info. (Ben doesn't have to credit any of his music, there will always be someone amongst us all who recognises it!)
Back in the '80's it was a very annoying pipey "on hold" music on the telephone. Xylophone maybe, same first line over and over and over. On hold with Petzold.
Excellent, Ben. I would love to hear more about your musical journey , though, getting from GCSE Music to Oxford Scholar must be at least one more video, surely. Not to mention learning all about keys! Looking forward to seeing it! (Donated)
Hello. "Music is my life!"!
I love this! Did you compose, too?
Thanks!
Dear Ben! On the 3rd of August, on the farewell feast of Our Lady of Havas, I prayed for my friends and those whom I know through the Internet in a 500-year-old St. Francis monastery. For artists, monks, priests serving the Lord Jesus, and organists. It's amazing that Ben has mastered skills in such a short time that would take others many years. Kudos to Ben for his persistent hard work and dedication to learning music, with which he brings so many uplifting joyful moments to his followers. Gratitude and thanks to the parents for their support. Thank you, Ben, for inviting us on a long pilgrimage to St. Mary's Church, and in the meantime we were able to learn about his musical history through Ben's words. The countryside of England could also be in my country. Perhaps there are not as many castles and ancient churches as in your country. Unfortunately, there are castle ruins, due to the Turkish subjugation. I saw many branching roads on your pilgrimage, I would have gotten lost on this road.. Great shots were taken with your phone, the play of the sun's rays was especially impressive. Today we celebrated the miraculous transfiguration, transfiguration, and glorification of the Lord.. Finally, with today's holiday prayer, I thank all the blessings I received from Ben. Our "May the Divine Light of our Lord Jesus Christ shine in our hearts and change us into His image" In the title page of the video I see a happy smile on your face..at the end of the video the suffering Christ..your movie is wonderful. Thank you for every moment.💥🙏💕
Beautiful tribute to this special video.
Thanks Ben. Grateful for you.
Hey Ben, great respect for what you are doing. Great organist. I fell in love with a little Anglican chapel in Scotland when I was a very young man stationed there in the U.S. military. The young Vicar became my friend. It was just the three of us stood there in the chapel for my confirmation into the Scottish Episcopal Church. It was the Vicar, myself, and the BISHOP OF ARGYLE SCOTLAND! Not bad for a little country boy from the American South. I later learned that it was the Bishop of Argyle who secretly ordained American priests behind England's back during the American revolution. Amazing! I had a grandmother who was a Campbell and I got to see Invarery Castle while I was there. I wish I looked up the seats or villages of my English ancestors who came to Carolina in the 16 and 17 hundreds. There are some remote islands there where they have English accents from that time. They sound like pirates. Ha Ha! I am an artist. I use to go hiking through the woods looking for old abandoned plantation houses and churches. Many of the churches were Anglican. Usually red brick Georgian in style with unplastered red brick columns. I would photograph them and do paintings from the photos. Perhaps you should consider doing that. You could enlist an artist friend or some art students to do some paintings of those lovely old churches you visit. You could then make prints of the artwork and sell them in your webb shop, with copyright permission of the artists of course. The prints would help promote the artist and stir interest in those beautiful old churches (and the organs in them). It is so excited hearing a pipe organ fire up, especially when you hit those low notes and it makes the windows rattle. I love it. Your playing and story telling is excellent. Keep up the good work. I am sure all the great organist who came before you are watching and applauding from the other side.
Ben's sister is an artist.
Ben, about the art prints of the churches- ----- some of them should be very subdued and traditional in style, while others are very vibrant with electric colors, to suit different buyers tastes. You can take "artistic license" and place things in the art that in reality is not even there. For example, one church could be dressed for Christmas with lite dusting of snow on the ground and shimmering lights in cone shaped trees. Another could be deliberately spooky, with autumnal gold and orange leaves, pumpkins on the ground for Halloween, and even a white wispy ghost figure near a tombstone in the churchyard. This would not have been appropriate in the past but people today are so full of fantasy and imagination ,because of television and movies I think . Millions of dollars worth of art is bought and sold on the Internet today and people expect to pay a little more for art than they would for other things.
Ah! Ah! How beautiful that first sight of the church! Oh how I enjoyed the walk there since I can no longer do so.
Thanks. I enjoy taking you on the walks too :)
Ben , an amazing documentary video, watching you in the USA , New York 🇺🇸at a time eighty days from Election Day , tensions running high, watching your beautiful video walking through the grassy fields brought me such peace.🕊️ God bless you ❤ thank you Richard
Thank you feels inadequate. You have my appreciation, I love story, I love music. Perfect.
One of my favourites, Great is Thy Faithfulness❤ sadly l can only sing an octave lower these days but the words to the 3rd verse even came back to me. Your playing is divine, the English countryside sublime. Thank you, on the Lord's Day no less! ❤
Very interesting to see the way you make your videos- it looks incredibly complicated but the results are always beautiful.
Dear Ben, Thank you for your entertaining video this week, wonderful to hear how you began your musical journey! You definitely started with a natural ear for music, for sure! My hope is that I can use your hilarious description (tastefully jiggley) in a serious conversation soon!!! I loved it! Looking forward to your next video, Nancy F.
All your videos are very good - this one is a master pice!
Pleased to hear it! Lots more in store 😊
The editing matters! You are fabulous.
Beautiful walk in the New Forest, beautiful scenes, fascinating story, charming church and beautiful music....thanks for it all.
Good afternoon Ben. I enjoyed the hike to the church. We too have hiking trails in my part of southern Missouri in the central part of the United Stated. I saw on a recent issue of "The Free Reed" (an email part of the Reed Organ Society) that you recently became a member of the Society. I am too. Get to know a man...Rodney Jantzi. He's a reed organ professional and has many fantastic videos on UA-cam that I think you would enjoy. As a reed organ restorer, Rodney is one of the "hero's" of the reed organ society and he too has restore many organs. I know you are thousands of miles away but if we were neighbors, I'd be a pest...bothering you often to hear you play and going with you in your journeys to play organs. The organ, and especially the reed organ, is one of my passions, even though I am only a self taught "organist". A friend of mine in the past gave me a Missouri Synod Lutheran Church hymnal and taught myself to play a handful of hymns and I love them. I play them over and over (because that's all I can play) because I love the majestic sounds of the organ. Thank You so much for sharing these presentations with us that are less talented. I wish I knew you as a neighbor. Your presentations are a real highlight to my week. Again...Thank You.
I saw that notice in the latest ROS Quarterly as well! One of the first things I ever purchased after high school (50 years ago!) was a reed organ. I'm currently doing some restoration work on it. Last week I found an 1857 M&H Melodeon at a local consignment shop and I'm fixing that up as well.
Thank you Ben ! You are such a cool dude. Not a religious bone in my body but thoroughly enjoy your videos.
I always look forward to Monday morning here in New Zealand knowing my week starts with a organ treat. It was lovely to hear some of the history of your musical journey Ben and to see the beautiful scenery and history of St Mary’s thank you
NZ too ,English forebears ,
Ben- you’re such a God- given inspiration to us all !
I love your 101st you-tube video walking in New Forest of Hale, towards St. Mary’s Church. You have such a calming voice tracing your journey of learning the organ.
Your recounting the background of these “tucked-away,” churches is really preserving their history! God bless you & keep your safe in all your pilgrimages !
Thank you Ben, for another fabulous video.
Another Sunday also what a amazing video it was this wk what with your touching story of how you began playing the organ so dedicated as a young boy to how hard you studied and got to Oxford what a wonderful journey you took us to the new forest my husband band and I have had some wonderful memories of such wonderful holidays in the new forest and see the flagship of h m s victory 😊 whose is a great hero of are country of Norfolk I have been on that glorious ship in Portsmouth such is your ways you put your videos together are amazing ❤ till we see you again Ben take care
It’s a mysterious journey to finding our vocation and passions. I enjoyed your story of becoming a musician. These Sunday videos help make what is usually a melancholy day into a celebration. Always enjoy a visit to England as well! Sending an American hug your way 🤣!
Thanks for your story
For years, I've asked our church musician to explain the actions of the organ. Thank you for doing so- and in an entertaining and beautiful way!
Happy centenary, congratulations on your 101st video!
It is wonderful to learn about the bright path you are journeying on, with a further insight into your unconventional beginnings as a musician.
This bright path has now reached such a worthy purpose, bringing glorious music and locations to many, and in doing so, providing such solace and healing. It struck me when reading a few comments, that you are now a companion to many who are unable to reach these places.
I enjoyed your choice for the very first classical piece you learned, and your synthesiser influences.
May your bright path continue to shine, for His glory. I am excited to see where it leads.
Thank you for this beautiful video, Ben ❤
Ben-your post are AMAZING and so informative. Loved the picturesque scenery as you walked to the church, your dialogue concerning your keyboard beginning, and of course your playing. You spend so much time with your post, and I personally thank you. Blessings
Happy 101st, Ben. Glad to have traveled the journey with you. Bach’s prelude on St. Mary’s organ was as good as I’ve ever heard. Yes, you are good company and balm to the soul. But, must we wait another 100 episodes before hearing the next part of your musical journey (at Oxford and as a parish organist)? Can’t wait to see where you and your new caravan will be taking us!
Thank you for the walking tour and the history, the walk was very enjoyable
I enjoyed listening to you telling the story of becoming a musician. From all I know from your other videos you come from a very musical family. Listening to your older recordings from Oxford and Salisbury churches you have come a long way very fast. And with your winning personality giving us all the background history to each church and its setting in a beautiful landscape together with the music makes your videos very special. I enjoy them very much. Thank you!
What a very nice story, set with beautiful imagery from the English country-side!
I also started playing the keyboard at 10, as a teenager, that was considered "cool", but in more serious musical circles (I also play the trombone, starting not long after the keyboard) it was considered more a toy than a musical instrument... When I was 15, I had used all the rhythmic styles and all the sounds in all keyboards we owned, and I needed a better challenge. We didn't have the money for a serious piano (let alone the maintenance), so I came to the idea to play the electronic organ instead, there were still many around in the mid 1990s, and you could get them practically for free! My keyboard teacher (who also thought the electronic organ) at first didn't want to teach me the organ, as he thought I would have the make a huge step backwards to learn the pedals. But I could convince him by showing what I could play after a practicing a couple of days 😀. The organ seemed to be a good choice and the cheap electronic organ was replaced by a real Hammond tonewheel organ soon. Later I wanted to develop myself more, and as the (catholic) churches in the area where I grew up always had a demand for organ players, I could play in a couple of churches, including the one with the most beautiful organ in the area! During my university days, I didn't play in churches anymore (except once on my grandmother's funeral), but when I moved to Switzerland, I met somebody who became my best friend. He only took piano lessons as a child, but ended up on the church organ. Since then (15 years ago), I regularly play in many churches on many instruments, usually just for fun, not for service. We are both members of an organ society, making many excursions, and we are very happy that there are people like you on UA-cam! The English countryside will definitely be worth a trip!
Thanks Ben, part of my peace & reflection in a troubled world. Look forward to the sequel!
I have enjoyed the views from the countryside, the music, your story, your walk through the forest... loved everything in this video. Im not a native speaker of English, but I must confess I understand you completely! You speak beautifully and your accent is delightful too. 🙏
When Ben added the harmony at 8:45, the music became so much more alive! It filled my mind with images. It was so helpful to see the harmony's role to a piece of music overall.
The hardest thing about learning the organ for me was toe to heel in the pedals. I'd got up to Grade 7 piano so the manuals were not so much of
a difficulty although piano technique and organ technique are very different
Ben I really enjoyed this video of your own musical journey. Thanks very much for all this
Dear ben, thank for your facinating forays into the lovely little village churches dotted around our country, there to get the very best out of instruments that have stood the test of time. Sadly, some of these are seldom played, so it is a joy when they are not only demonstrated so ably, but made available to be heard around the world. I wish you every success, and if you venture down to the westcountry any time soon you have an open invitation to play our lovely compton organ at saint peter and the holy apostles church, wyndham square, plymouth. The organ console is detached from the pipework so the congregation can see the console and organist - unlike the situation you often find, where you are squashed into a small space! The one disadvantage being that it is not unknown for folk to think it ok to suddenly try to strike up a conversation with you whilst playing a voluntary. Does that ever happen to you? Once someone congratulated me with a hearty slap on the back while i was still concentrating on the piece. It nearly made me jump out of my skin! Your rendering of the funeral music for queen mary was particularly lovely. Keep up your pilgrimage of music and poetry. Julian davies. Organist, st peters plymouth.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me...I just found your channel....God has given you this gift and you are sharing it....from Canada I wish you God's richest blessings
What a journey. Thank you for telling us about your ups and downs. They are reflected in your elegant descriptions and your playing!
Well it’s been settled settled; you & Billie are definitely blood brothers. In this episode as you made your way down the landscape it was apparent in your handsome continence but in a thousand small looks and gestures.So Billied was not left behind by the Summer carnival after it broke camp and moved on.
Your much anticipated videos grow deeper and more ressonent with the passing seasons.
At 70 years old you continue to wish to look deeper on where you are really taking us but also to look outward to see another view.
So here on UA-cam we get to spend time with a gentle great thinker. So glad we have met.
Music and a university education on Sunday nigh.
You are a joy to be here to illuminate the coming week bathed in a glad light.
A handsome fella with a vast pool and tender toughs spread out to take in.
I think there is a life partner out there who will be lucky or is lucky.
I sincerely wish you will one day be a teacher and well recognized. You offer so many so much in so many ways
I wish you all the best and before Hallowe’en I will get a substantial patrons support check to you. You are the epitome of what is good and decent in. Fluid English culture and that needs to supported and maintained.
What a beautiful scenery and forest. I pray it remains the same and undeveloped. Thank you for your explanation of your journey to become the great Organist you are and sharing it with us. I love to listen to you playing the Organ.
Dear Ben , your videos bring such joy, I can't tell you. Sadly, i am not in a position to assist with funding but wish with a my heart that i could. I bless the day i came across your channel. Long may you continue! Bless you.
Well done. A wonderful, brilliant journey 🎶🌈
Thanks for the journey Ben. As a music graduate I can appreciate that learning to play and master an instrument is a journey not a race. The only difference with singing is that we have to build the instrument and then teach a student how to play it.
Thank you Ben for sharing your humble beginnings as a musician before you became a superb musician. Every time I watch your videos, you give me a little tour while sitting on my couch.
As one of your patrons, I've enjoyed hearing your music and the stories of the churches you play in. In this video I've enjoyed learning more about your musical history and got a brief lesson on the organ, thanks for another lovely few minutes together. I love the nature scenes from the New Forest, nice and welcome addition to the journey
Dear Ben. Music + History + Nature + Architecture + Editing. You’ve got them all. My wife and I have booked a walk on part of the Cotswolds for this coming October. Seeing your videos of the countryside around Salisbury makes it tempting to want to pass through that area after our walk as we head to the southwest coast of England and Wales for another part of our journey. Thank you, for inspiring me on so many levels.
Con gran placer espero tus videos tan instructivos mostrando tu recorrido a traves de la bella naturaleza y la arquitectura que tan bien nos transmites mediante tus explicaciones, eres encantador, disfrutamos mucho con tus intervenciones musicales al órgano de cada iglesia del lugar, eres un maestro Ben, espero con impaciencia tu próxima creacion. Recibe un sentido abrazo virtual desde mi ciudad en el este del Reino de España junto al Mediterráneo.😊
Brilliant, eloquent, deeply moving. Thank you!
Thanks for listening
Another great video Ben. You really went “Zero to Hero” in about 10 years then! Inspirational. I love those walks. We all learn so much.
Ben you really are a star!