The Story & Clark needs total restoration. The fact that it has loose sharps would be no problem to a professional reed organ restorer. Unless there is extensive mouse chewed damage, it could most certainly be restored to like new. It looks to be a usual 2-rank parlor organ. Small, but it could still make some remarkable music if restored correctly. I'd love to get my hands on it and make it new again. The English organ, to my ear, sounds like it too might need some work. Although it still works, it sounds like the wind system is old and needs to be restored. I suspect that the sliding button is some sort of Swell and opens a Swell flap to increase the volume. I believe the English organ may be "pressure" operated, and the Story & Clark is most certainly a suction instrument. All your video presentations are of great interest to me, but this one stands out. What a beautiful church and it's a shame it's not used regularly. Thank You for making these presentations. They are enjoyed and enlightening. I envy your talent.
Funny you would comment this. Restoring reed organs, harmoniums and melodians is what we do. Unfortunately we are based in the Pacific Northwest USA. You are most correct. Both of these instruments would be eminently restorable. We wish that we were nearer by. The organ you played here is a harmonium. I’m sure of it. The difference in the two other types is this would be a pressure instrument, like a pipe organ . the others are suction driven. It’s a grand sounding thing. I wanted to mention, the sliding indicator above the stop drawknobs you were showing is probably connected to the “knee-swell” paddle under the keyboard above the winding pedals. As one is playing,one’s knee would push outward to operate a swell mechanism. It would show the dynamic increase then would snap back to the lowest position when the paddle is released. The instrument is in remarkably good condition from what we could see in the video. Your respectful and affectionate manner of playing it is appreciated. We watch every Sunday evening. Sort of a ritual for us. We thought it would be great to be able pack up tools and come help. Thanks for rehoming this little gem.
Seguiré escuchandote en tu idioma y algo voy comprendiendo porque yo también soy músico desde que nací. Me encanta el Órgano antiguo, hice un curso en España. Hice de peso en el fuelle 😂😂😂😂
12:30 The wind reservoir is porous with age and is leaking. Painting it with rubber solution will work wonders. (Dust it with talc afterwards to stop the folds from sticking together). That fold-up flap over the pedals is to stop mice from nesting in the organ and causing havoc. It's nice to see and hear a real harmonium and not just an 'American organ'.
Very informative. As the daughter of a Rector, I got to play various organs. He had musical talent and my brother (who emigrated) is a professional organist on the other side of the world. In around 1963 my dad organised for a pretty impressive Harrison & Harrison organ to be transported from Trinity College Chapel, Edinburgh to one of "his" churches as the old organ was pretty clapped out. It was really way too grandiose for a country parish church (Haversham) but it was good to play. Growing up, we also had two old organs (we called them harmoniums) in the the meeting rooms at the rambling rectory and my brother and I loved to play them. My dad also rescued a John Broadwood Rosewood Concert Grand piano from a redundant church for £10 in about 1968. Sadly I don't know what happened to any of the instruments after he left. I know the Harrison & Harrison organ is still going. It had been transported from Edinburgh and rebuilt by Starmer Shaw that I believe is still in business today. Growing up, I hated the approach of big festivals because my dad was also good at tuning. He would spend ages perched within the inner workings of the pipes "tuning the reeds" whilst I had to sit at the console playing consecutive notes whilst he tinkered with the pipes to achieve the right pitch.
Extremely well done ending to this video! Artistically moving, spiritually insightful and sensitive! GOD bless you. You deserve to be strongly supported.
Thank you Sir Ben as always. I love playing reed-pump organs. Just as expressive as an accordion with the bellows control. As for "playing wrong notes", Beethoven once wrote: "To play a wrong note is immaterial. To play without passion is inexcusable." 🎹
As protestants in the Netherlands we called organs like this a 'psalmenpomp' (a pump of psalms). A good protestant family of my denomination had at least 7 bibles and a harmonium. I have more than 7 bibles but not the harmonium.
I love all your videos, but I especially love your reed organ videos. These instruments have such a wonder to them and the fact that they aren't perfect makes them all the more human.
I am usually not too fond of reed organs or harmonia, but the two pieces you played were perfect for this instrument. The hymn playing expressed the sentiment of the lyrics very well indeed. The sound is softer and somewhat blurred, less sharp than on a pipe organ which makes it well suited to play a melody or tune full of feeling. I also liked your opening remarks about this church not being used for regular worship anymore but still being packed full for a musical evensong in September. It just shows that these abandoned churches are not really abandoned but we still need and love them very much. Thank you again for your videos.
What a beautiful little church and those pews in all their simplicity are a work of art . We have recently saved a harmonium from another local church that was once used for accompanying outside worship
Dear Ben, what a delightful, endearing video! I never realized that there was dynamic control with the way one manipulates the pedals! I absolutely love “it is Well with my Soul”. You played it so thoughtfully, especially knowing its origin. It’s a reminder that without our faith in the finished work on Calvary by Jesus Christ, the risen Saviour, we have no hope beyond this temporary life on earth. We can say : it is well with my soul, if we have trusted in Jesus for our salvation. You played that hymn with all the heart and emotion that it deserves! Thank you and God bless you, Royden
Amazing new instrument for this church. ❤. It remembers me when I was 13 years old, fixing those instruments in France, at home. There is so many of them needing help, love and hope. 😊❤ Musicians are a blessing in churches and communities 😊❤
With the complete understanding as to why this offering makes so much sense & resonates with your viewers/followings, please accept this very personal observation & reflection. Your tutorials & musical observations are extremely important to all of us who follow & support your channel. Each time you make a presentation, many of us ( especially me) learn so much & appreciate your musical knowledge! Comically, your supporters will always allow "any possible missed notes", but we will only accept your personal excellence in the ultimate visual presentation. As I watch this offering, I can only reflect upon my own family's history. My people came to (the new continent) with "dreams" but with very little money. The "oldest" child ( my great aunt) played the ACCORDIAN on the streets of NYC to help suppliment the financial needs of my immigrant family. Thus, any time you perform on a harmonium becomes a special rememberance. Thank you for sharing!
My sin - O the bliss of this glorious thought! - my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
I admit - you had me at Lemon Drizzle Cake! Lovely church. Lovely harmonium. Lovely that you rescued it Lovely that you can play it Lovely that you and Sophia treat us to these wonderful videos Liz❤
The pedals are how you control dynamics on an American Reed Organ or a harmonium. You usually don’t have a huge number of ranks at your disposal and many reed organs only have three ranks of reeds, so the pedals and your vigour in treadling them become a means of controlling the dynamics. Bear in mind also that some stops on a reed organ are not true stops. They may control the same sets of reeds as another stop in a modified way. If you see ‘dolce’ on a stop name e.g Melodia Dolce or Viola Dolce that often indicates a muted stop. It will open the same reeds as its ‘parent’ stop but in a muffled/muted way. I’m not sure what the little moving dial is unless it’s there to show how much air pressure there is in the reservoir above the bellows. I advise you to watch Rodney Jantzi’s tutorials on reed organs. He is the YT doyen of reed organs.
Very true Rodney is amazing and a very expressive player of this type of instrument as he also rebuilds them as well which gives him insight as to how they may be played ! Your presentations Ben are marvelous!
I'm sure it would make for a great item on the wonderful television programmes known as THE REPAIR SHOP. What a beautiful church and yet again a fantastic video Ben.👌
Thank you for this week’s episode, it was great to hear your own original music again. I very much enjoyed hearing ‘It Is Well with My Soul’ & I enjoy looking up & following along with the lyrics to the hymns as you play. It is great to see varied camera work & to see that you have more support, including freedom in front of the camera, but I also think there’s something very special about being completely alone in a church & performing alone, which brings another level to your videos.
I watch these videos from Tottenham in North London, which is about as unlike the rural landscapes of Dorset as you can get. So I nearly jumped off my chair when I saw that the Robert Stather organ was made in Seven Sisters Road, which runs from Tottenham to Finsbury Park (also mentioned) and which I know very well. Tottenham itself has a claim to organ fame. In the local church of St Mary’s there is a William Hill organ. It was completely refurbished thanks to a lottery grant not very long ago. Among other things, they put cameras inside so that visiting schoolchildren can see how it works. Many thanks for all the videos.
Considering that I’m rather old and first played a pump organ at age 7, I can say with certainty that you’re simply not pumping enough. Just as the blower in a pipe organ inflates a weighted bellows that maintains a sustained air pressure, reed organs have a version of the same. It just uses the strength and speed of your ankles instead of an electric blower. Full even balanced strokes of the pedals, full depth and more rapidly with no stopping point in the motion of either foot will even it all out. Essentially one foot is traveling upwards while the other is traveling down.
I would love to make a week or two trip to England and rebuild both those instruments. I rebuilt my first one on my dining room table that could have taken about 6 days (even though it took me 6 weeks on my “free time”). They’re quite lovely instruments and deserve to be restored and played. I suspect the “removable” sharp keys is because of the hide glue becoming rehydrated in the moisture of those unheated churches and then drying and falling off. If I was blessed with the funds to be able to take the trip across the pond to do so, I would in a heartbeat if you would document the process.
more than 50 years ago, I "haunted" many of my local churches, playing their organs and pianos, late at night, ( I was given permission,) playing everything from Bach to Rock music. Improvising and letting my imagination carry me along and aloft. your videos make me long for that life in music that I left behind so long age...thank you
These reed organs are very simple and easily repaired, THE common defect in these is the bellows cloth has become brittle, cracked, rotted over the decades, and mice sometimes chew holes in the fabric. The bellows need to be removed, the old rubber coated cloth removed, and a new piece glued on, same with the two small exhausters the foot pedals open and close, it can be done in a weekend, Ive done it on my reed organs. The rubberized fabric costs around $150-$175 USD for enough to restore one of these. The other major issues include cracks in the wood reed pan, these can be filled and patched, general cleaning is a must, broken reeds- they can be replaced. With just that, the organ can be completely playable again, a complete restoration would involve cleaning the brass reeds, refinishing the case etc. In the USA these organs are as common as telephone poles, many MANY appear every week on Ebay, in FB's market place, Craig's list, Etsy and others, anywhere from "free- you haul it) on up, unfortunately many wind up dumped in the trash, or gutted to make desks from.
Well said, I think that if more people got to hear how well these instruments can sound and how fun they are to play, I think people would learn to respect them again. I thank Ben for showing them such respect and exposing these forgotten instruments to a new audience.
Again thank you Ben for another wonderful video from st Mary’s again and how wonderful you have saved another organ it’s sound is great 👍 lovely to see Sophia with you again today and it was lovely to see you walking in the autumn 🍂 it does not seem it was the spring that we saw the lovely views and the delightful church ⛪️ I do look forward to Sunday evenings to see where you are taking us take care 👵🏻
I lived in Dorset for many years and its a lovely little well preserved chuch - shame I didn't know it was in need of a new organ before moving away as I have owned for over 50 years a fully working reed organ with an impressive sound output that belies its size . Keep up the good work Ben and if anyone knows of any other church or chapel etc in need of a donated reed organ please get in touch
Beautiful church and organ . It is WELL.. is a lifelong favorite. And ur new sheet music fits so wonderfully W/the organ and church it was played on/in. Thank you so much for sharing ur talent w/us. God Bless. Ms Clovia, From TX., USA ❤
With a reed organ, you have to pump down the bellows to build up the vacuum before you play, then maintain the vacuum by pumping faster than the bellows can open. You are playing with the bellows nearly exhausted.
I think it's a bit difficult for people in the 21st century to grasp how genuine and serious was the faith of people like Spafford in that era. To have just learned that your entire family -- wife and children -- had been lost at sea, and to have the reaction of a complete acceptance of God's will. To be able to say "It Is Well With My Soul" (and mean it) immediately after learning of the tragedy ... Are there any words? (Possibly not. But there's music.) That hymn, played on that organ in that church. Perfect. Not to mention the piece you composed. It all comes together in a matchless way. This video seems to be just one gift after another. It's amazing that you're able to do this week after week, Ben. I'm hoping that Vicar King is smiling down. 🙂
The four daughters were lost, going down with the ship, but the wife was rescued. Spafford had been briefly delayed by urgent work in Chicago, and planned to soon catch up with the family in England. Upon her arriving in England, she sent him a telegram, "Saved alone." Spafford immediately went to England to meet her. At least they still had each other, as well as their deep faith.
That song and that instrument are a nice testament to divine blessings even in trying circumstances! I've placed my trust in God that As the World social and political culture continues to degrade threatening more world wars, I've placed my trust in God's wisdom, power and Jesus' love. You can continue to enjoy such peace as you continue in God's word and listen to His spirit. 👆
Ben, I believe that sliding lever is a mechanical sforzando that controls movable expression panels surrounding the reeds. They might require cleaning and lubrication to work smoothly again. Wonderful composition. I am reminded of my distant English King family members lurking in my family tree. Thank you!
How can one say that there are friendless organs in friendless churches? If there's one thing glaringly obvious is that as long as Ben Maton is on the prowl, these churches and organs have a truly loyal and caring friend indeed! As always, I love the historical and biographical context in which you feature these organs and churches. Well done, Ben, well done! I served in the U.S. Navy for a number of years, mainly in the Pacific Fleet, and have had the opportunity to serve with the Royal Navy and Australian Navy...great times and great memories. Cheers, dude.
1. You did an amazing job of playing smoothly with the pedals supplying the air without a working reservoir. Some reed organs have a lever that turns the reservoir on and off. With the reservoir off, the foot pedals control the dynamics, but takes most people a great deal practice to control smoothly. With the reservoir turned on, it is easier to be more smooth, although with a sacrifice of some of the dynamics. 2. The loudness lever you pointed out may well be a swell-shade control lever. If so, moving the lever to the right opens the shade for louder sound. It's popping to the left when it is close to the left side may be indication of the swell-shade spring pulling it shut. If the lever can be moved more to the right without breaking anything, it might stay there until you're ready to move it again. My American pump organ has a spring-loaded knee lever that opens a swell shade.
Yes, I was wondering whether the slider might be the equivalent of a knee-swell. The units I used to play typically had that on one side, and a 'crescendo' device on the other, which would add ranks as you swung your knee out. With yours, perhaps, too? Estey organs were very common in the (NSW Australia) country churches I used to play at as a teenager.
When I was a teenager I used to play the same as the Old Organ in Church where my Father was a Missionary Pastor in Northeast Africa. I am happy Ben to see that you play these old Organs in the Old abandoned Churches. I love this Hymn "It is well with my soul". Thank you for sharing with us your wonderful musical talent. Have a Blessed Week.
The Story & Clarke can be restored with a lot of work involved but totally worth it. It would be a vacuum wind so it works on reverse pressure. These instruments are still in use in some smaller parishes in the USA. They never got their day in the sun, but are very expressive and versatile. Some even have surprised me with the volume and types of music that it can make.
I have noticed on many or your recordings on reed organs that you rarely pump vigorously to get a "full head of wind" in the bellows. As a result you are able to get more expression on the piece you are playing. I have a reed organ that I bought in poor condition in the 1960s. I tore it all apart and found the main problem was that the bellows were deteriorating. I found some rubberized aprons that I cut to size and put it place of worn and torn pieces and that solved that problem. Shortly after that bit of restoration one of the pedal straps broke and so I replaced both of them with some military type of strapping material. Several of the stops had a note would not play at all, so I delved more deeply into the "guts" of the organ and discovered that there were only two set of reeds. A further discovery with a small nail driven into a short piece of a broomstick allowed me to fit the head of the nail into a notch on the back of the reed and pull it out of the reed board and remove a but of dust or lint causing the mute note. I also discovered the notes dos not sound because of air being blown through them but by a vacuum sucking air through them. The wind chest is essentially a vacuum chamber created by pumping the air out of the "chest" which then causes air to enter the chest by being drawn through the reeds as the keys are played. Ultimately I tore the whole thing apart to replace the felt linings on all the surfaces on the mechanical parts making the whole organ air tight. While I was at it I stripped all the wood work and refinished it. Over the years a small child had scratched a smiley face in the the top layer of varnish on one of the sides of the organ. I was pleasantly surprised to find than under all those layers of varnish and layers there were delicate carvings that had not seen the light of day for decades. It also exposed a beautiful wood which I think is cherry, I refinished it with a natural finish of beeswax and turpentine to bring to life the natural beauty of the wood grain. This was a project taking the better part of the year of my spare time. I still play occasionally. I stake some photos and send them to you soon. Robert Rieffel (okeerief@gmail.com) Okeechobee, Florida, USA
Dependably, like Big Ben, it's Sunday evening again here in Northern Vermont, USA ... time to check in on Ben's whereabouts and whatupabouts. Ben, you've successfully embedded yourself in my consciousness, like a 'Lassie Come Home' mantra. Son of a gun !! Thankfully.
Thank you Sophia, for freeing up both of Ben's hands so he can display his full range of skills! Your camera work is wonderful, expert and sensitive! Every time I hear the acoustic of these lovely old churches I wish I could PREACH in them; they were designed to promote the hearing of the Word of God by the congregation. Modern churches have dreadful acoustic so we are doomed to electronic sound, a poverty-stricken alternative.
A good point regarding the sound of preaching inside a given space. I'm sure you're aware that when George Whitefield came to America in the 18th century, he often preached outdoors. There are reports that even the people in the very back of the crowd (He drew huge crowds... sometimes thousands of people.) could hear him clearly. How he managed to accomplish that without amplification... it's hard to tell. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Cathedral near me just spent a huge amount of money to "upgrade" their sound system, and now what the congregation hears is virtually impossible to decipher.
"The trump' shall resound and the Lord shall desend, even so, it well with my soul!" - One of my favourite hymns, especially with the background story of the composer! Being a member of a 'Black Baptist' church, I'm partial to the recorded version by the Great DORIS AKERS, gospel singer, composer, tremendous choir director and so much more . . . God's blessings be upon you Mr.Maton!
A harmonium! And, from the looks of it, in better shape than Mrs Lovett's harmonium in Sweeney Todd: "And a real bargain it was, dear, it being only partly singed when the chapel burnt down."
The harmonium is a much finer instrument for a live worship space such as that. The Story and Cllark is really a house parlor organ never intended for a church as you can tell from the knick knack shelf and mirror above the keyboard. This harmonium is a little treasure and given a good polish, the magnificent piece for that worship space. Thank you so much for these weekly boosts for my musical soul. Re music for harmoniums....Oh my goodness there is much music written for the harmonium whether it's by Vierne or Karg-Elert or Arthur Bird or Percy Grainger. Come over to America and I can show you at least 25 fine reed organs in my collection... German, French and Austrian instruments along with many large American instruments.....some with multiple keyboards and pedals! Again thank you!
Beautiful! Bravo! If the air valves of the bellows seal well, then the bellows holds its vacuum longer - lessening the chuffing effect you hear while peddling.
The volume device is a gimmick - I have seen similar on American organs and it should be attached to the reservoir & indicates how open or closed it is- on the left, you're pumping softly- moving to the right, you are pumping hard and increasing the volume. Interestingly - the way the key coverings are attached with metal pins, the cover over the pedals, the reinforcing brass on the case & the handles - these strongly suggest that this was a model built to be shipped overseas to be used in Missionary work
In America we fix organs all the time like that Oregon from Chicago it’s a couple thousand dollars to have the bellows redone. It’s not that expensive or bad. They’re great organs
You were playing a harmonium and they have a beautiful ethereal sound. I use to own one many years ago. The slider control may for opening the swell shutters in the instrument. Beautiful sounding instrument.
Thank you so much for your new composition that you spent so many hours preparing to play on this harmonium! As I've said before, I am quite fond of the sound of reed organs. And because of the familiarity and associations I have with it, I especially appreciate today's playing of "It Is Well With My Soul"! I've heard it many ways through the years - sometimes in lush choral arrangements. I love the way you play it here with a lonely, plaintive first verse of the melody alone, before then bringing in the richly toned harmonies for the chorus and the second verse. Moving!
Yes, "It is well with my Soul" is an American hymn I've heard and sung more times than I can remember, but your video is the first time I've ever heard the sad story of the death of its author's family. That made it even more impactful. And your own composition was, as usual, very fine. Perhaps unintentionally, it reminded me of an Italian hurdy-gurdy tune played in The Godfather, Part 2- and I really liked it. I hope this episode also gets you 20,000 views!
Rex Regnum Beatior....a dang good composition, sir! As an owner of multiple read organs, and as a player who uses the treadles for expression, I must say, the treadles on the organ in this video seem to have an outsized effect. Subtle movements produce an astonishing change in the percussivety. I wonder if it's a positive air pressure mechanism (harmonium) or a negative/vacuum air pressure system (reed organ).
A wee bit late, No? 😇 I got caught up in some appointments. This was a fun adventure. It's so wonderful to see that you could help them. That is such a beautiful piece you composed for the harmonium/piano. Thank you. (Char is perusing the score) Nothing like a challenge! I have asked my local music store whether I can buy a modern made harmonium. They found a source and that will be my next music instrument purchase. Very affordable. I agree that "It Is Well" is a heart rending yet poignantly compelling hymn. It touches the deepest depths of the soul, especially when you know its origin. Blessings, Char
The first time I heard the hymn IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL was at the funeral of one of my friends at work mother. This was in the early 90s. It has become a very familiar funeral standard.
Two compositions by Ben in one episode 💥💥💥 And oh my, are they of the topmost quality? First, the theme music, and then Rex Regnum Beatior, a living music captured beautifully by that humble reed organ. We need more great compositions of yours on your channel; they're top shelf, and great composers of yore would have been amazed at your ingenious compositions. Thank you Ben ❤
It Is Well is my favorite hymn, especially when I learned of its history. Thank you for this beautiful rendition of my hymn. You blessed my soul today.
I believe that the small ("English") organ is a true Harmonium - pressure operated rather than vacuum. It is basically a French Harmonium and the stop marked "Expression" should (if pulled out) operate the reeds directly from the foot bellows. However, if pushed in; then the foot bellows should fill the reservoir which will hold its wind and enable a more legato style of playing. As you only played it in "Expression" mode, I wonder if that stop is not actually connected. I am currently restoring a French "Alexandre" harmonium for my local church in the Auvergne, France and it has basically the same stops and features as that one. Look into it - it makes playing it much easier, yet retains the option of the direct expression.
"You're almost playing it like an accordion..." accurately stated. That's how I describe the reed organ to people who want to know how it's different from other organs. I simply say, "Think of it as a giant accordion." That's what it sounds like, but because the keyboard can be played with two hands, you can voice the repertoire as for Organ.
This strong reaction of the instrument to the wind supply is really a bit strange. As far as I know, this should only be the case when the "Expression" stop is pulled. This normally allows the pedals to have a very direct effect on the sound. Otherwise, there should be a reservoir bellows in between that keeps the sound a bit more stable. A look under the lid could clarify what is going on.
Ben, I think that control lever is a "Swell" control to mute or open the reeds for more volume. The panel hinges may need cleaning and lubrication to work smoothly again.
Nice of you to have helped with the arrangements to get this organ saved from the tip and to a church in need of it. Your playing was lovely as always. If I said 'please' might we hear Sophia on the piano a time or two? All the best. I wish I was in a position to support your channel more effectively. Nice to hear that the old church was full the night you played. It would not surprise me if your collective actions may be a boon to charities like the Friends. Well done.
Congratulations to this harmonium. Maybe the "Expression-Stop" is still engaged. It switches off the magazin-bellow. Both instruments should get a restauration and both will be wonderful instruments. This instrument works with pressure-system. To have a contiunuos tone, the way to pump the air is importand. Pump with one pedal, but before you reach the end, start with the other pedal and let the air in the bellow of the first pedal. This needs a little bit of practising. The reed organ on the right side (with suction system) has a complete different character and will have an wonderful sound, if it would be restored. Rodney Jantzy has very good tutorials on his YT-channel. I have a harmonium and a reed organ and I will never abstain from one. Thank you for playing one of my favorite hyms: "When peace like a river"! Please continue your work!
Rex Regnum Beatior would have amazed Handel despite being played on a harmonium. This piece brings Ben’s church videos on UA-cam since Alvediston last August to just over two million views, a personal triumph for Ben. No organist has recently given so much pleasure to so many people. Sophia is from the Greek word for wisdom.
Ben, thank you so much filling our church with music once more. We are so grateful!
I love, love, love your channel. I don't do paypay but will find a way to support you!
A saved organ in a saved church and brought to life by one amazing and talented organist - for us all to enjoy
The Story & Clark needs total restoration. The fact that it has loose sharps would be no problem to a professional reed organ restorer. Unless there is extensive mouse chewed damage, it could most certainly be restored to like new. It looks to be a usual 2-rank parlor organ. Small, but it could still make some remarkable music if restored correctly. I'd love to get my hands on it and make it new again. The English organ, to my ear, sounds like it too might need some work. Although it still works, it sounds like the wind system is old and needs to be restored. I suspect that the sliding button is some sort of Swell and opens a Swell flap to increase the volume. I believe the English organ may be "pressure" operated, and the Story & Clark is most certainly a suction instrument. All your video presentations are of great interest to me, but this one stands out. What a beautiful church and it's a shame it's not used regularly. Thank You for making these presentations. They are enjoyed and enlightening. I envy your talent.
Funny you would comment this. Restoring reed organs, harmoniums and melodians is what we do. Unfortunately we are based in the Pacific Northwest USA. You are most correct. Both of these instruments would be eminently restorable. We wish that we were nearer by. The organ you played here is a harmonium. I’m sure of it. The difference in the two other types is this would be a pressure instrument, like a pipe organ . the others are suction driven. It’s a grand sounding thing. I wanted to mention, the sliding indicator above the stop drawknobs you were showing is probably connected to the “knee-swell” paddle under the keyboard above the winding pedals. As one is playing,one’s knee would push outward to operate a swell mechanism. It would show the dynamic increase then would snap back to the lowest position when the paddle is released. The instrument is in remarkably good condition from what we could see in the video. Your respectful and affectionate manner of playing it is appreciated. We watch every Sunday evening. Sort of a ritual for us. We thought it would be great to be able pack up tools and come help. Thanks for rehoming this little gem.
A job for David Burville BBC The Repair Shops organ specialist
@@johnwakefield2083👍
Muchas GRACIAS por la traducción ❤❤❤😊😊😊
Seguiré escuchandote en tu idioma y algo voy comprendiendo porque yo también soy músico desde que nací. Me encanta el Órgano antiguo, hice un curso en España. Hice de peso en el fuelle 😂😂😂😂
12:30 The wind reservoir is porous with age and is leaking. Painting it with rubber solution will work wonders. (Dust it with talc afterwards to stop the folds from sticking together). That fold-up flap over the pedals is to stop mice from nesting in the organ and causing havoc.
It's nice to see and hear a real harmonium and not just an 'American organ'.
Very informative. As the daughter of a Rector, I got to play various organs. He had musical talent and my brother (who emigrated) is a professional organist on the other side of the world. In around 1963 my dad organised for a pretty impressive Harrison & Harrison organ to be transported from Trinity College Chapel, Edinburgh to one of "his" churches as the old organ was pretty clapped out. It was really way too grandiose for a country parish church (Haversham) but it was good to play. Growing up, we also had two old organs (we called them harmoniums) in the the meeting rooms at the rambling rectory and my brother and I loved to play them. My dad also rescued a John Broadwood Rosewood Concert Grand piano from a redundant church for £10 in about 1968. Sadly I don't know what happened to any of the instruments after he left. I know the Harrison & Harrison organ is still going. It had been transported from Edinburgh and rebuilt by Starmer Shaw that I believe is still in business today. Growing up, I hated the approach of big festivals because my dad was also good at tuning. He would spend ages perched within the inner workings of the pipes "tuning the reeds" whilst I had to sit at the console playing consecutive notes whilst he tinkered with the pipes to achieve the right pitch.
Extremely well done ending to this video! Artistically moving, spiritually insightful and sensitive! GOD bless you. You deserve to be strongly supported.
Thank you Sir Ben as always. I love playing reed-pump organs. Just as expressive as an accordion with the bellows control. As for "playing wrong notes", Beethoven once wrote:
"To play a wrong note is immaterial. To play without passion is inexcusable." 🎹
Oh Ben, how very much needed was It Is Well today! Thank you for the lovely playing!
As protestants in the Netherlands we called organs like this a 'psalmenpomp' (a pump of psalms).
A good protestant family of my denomination had at least 7 bibles and a harmonium.
I have more than 7 bibles but not the harmonium.
💛🙏 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖🎶
I love all your videos, but I especially love your reed organ videos. These instruments have such a wonder to them and the fact that they aren't perfect makes them all the more human.
I am usually not too fond of reed organs or harmonia, but the two pieces you played were perfect for this instrument. The hymn playing expressed the sentiment of the lyrics very well indeed. The sound is softer and somewhat blurred, less sharp than on a pipe organ which makes it well suited to play a melody or tune full of feeling.
I also liked your opening remarks about this church not being used for regular worship anymore but still being packed full for a musical evensong in September. It just shows that these abandoned churches are not really abandoned but we still need and love them very much.
Thank you again for your videos.
What a beautiful little church and those pews in all their simplicity are a work of art . We have recently saved a harmonium from another local church that was once used for accompanying outside worship
Dear Ben, what a delightful, endearing video! I never realized that there was dynamic control with the way one manipulates the pedals! I absolutely love “it is Well with my Soul”. You played it so thoughtfully, especially knowing its origin. It’s a reminder that without our faith in the finished work on Calvary by Jesus Christ, the risen Saviour, we have no hope beyond this temporary life on earth. We can say : it is well with my soul, if we have trusted in Jesus for our salvation. You played that hymn with all the heart and emotion that it deserves! Thank you and God bless you, Royden
It is well with my soul 🙏🏼
Lovely vlog as usual, Ben. Yours is the best channel in this platform.
You treated the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" with all the tenderness it deserves. Another fine video!
@zimbelstern62 I play 'Sweet, Sweet Spirit' the way Doris composed it, tempo, timing, chord changes and all . . .
Amazing new instrument for this church. ❤. It remembers me when I was 13 years old, fixing those instruments in France, at home. There is so many of them needing help, love and hope. 😊❤
Musicians are a blessing in churches and communities 😊❤
With my eyes closed I definitely think that you are playing an Accordion , but it’s a lovely piece ! Well done !
It was good to have the words of the hymn on the screen
One of my favorite hymns. Thanks for playing it.
With the complete understanding as to why this offering makes so much sense & resonates with your viewers/followings, please accept this very personal observation & reflection. Your tutorials & musical observations are extremely important to all of us who follow & support your channel. Each time you make a presentation, many of us ( especially me) learn so much & appreciate your musical knowledge! Comically, your supporters will always allow "any possible missed notes", but we will only accept your personal excellence in the ultimate visual presentation. As I watch this offering, I can only reflect upon my own family's history. My people came to (the new continent) with "dreams" but with very little money. The "oldest" child ( my great aunt) played the ACCORDIAN on the streets of NYC to help suppliment the financial needs of my immigrant family. Thus, any time you perform on a harmonium becomes a special rememberance. Thank you for sharing!
Ben, what a great gift you gave us by playing It Is Well! In these times of uncertainty it a solid reminder of the priorities that count!
My sin - O the bliss of this glorious thought!
- my sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
My virtual traveling for the week. Thank you Ben. For your dedication, hard work, sensitivity to your subjects. Looking forward to next week already.
I admit - you had me at Lemon Drizzle Cake!
Lovely church.
Lovely harmonium.
Lovely that you rescued it
Lovely that you can play it
Lovely that you and Sophia treat us to these wonderful videos
Liz❤
Thank you for the Rememberance hymn in this remarkable church. A Veteran
The pedals are how you control dynamics on an American Reed Organ or a harmonium. You usually don’t have a huge number of ranks at your disposal and many reed organs only have three ranks of reeds, so the pedals and your vigour in treadling them become a means of controlling the dynamics.
Bear in mind also that some stops on a reed organ are not true stops. They may control the same sets of reeds as another stop in a modified way.
If you see ‘dolce’ on a stop name e.g Melodia Dolce or Viola Dolce that often indicates a muted stop. It will open the same reeds as its ‘parent’ stop but in a muffled/muted way.
I’m not sure what the little moving dial is unless it’s there to show how much air pressure there is in the reservoir above the bellows.
I advise you to watch Rodney Jantzi’s tutorials on reed organs. He is the YT doyen of reed organs.
Very true Rodney is amazing and a very expressive player of this type of instrument as he also rebuilds them as well which gives him insight as to how they may be played ! Your presentations Ben are marvelous!
I'm sure it would make for a great item on the wonderful television programmes known as THE REPAIR SHOP. What a beautiful church and yet again a fantastic video Ben.👌
Yes!!!
@@zimbelstern62 I'm sure they repaired a harmonium before....they have the experts and Ben's created the story surrounding the instrument 😁
Thank you, Ben, that was beautiful!
Thank you for this week’s episode, it was great to hear your own original music again.
I very much enjoyed hearing ‘It Is Well with My Soul’ & I enjoy looking up & following along with the lyrics to the hymns as you play.
It is great to see varied camera work & to see that you have more support, including freedom in front of the camera, but I also think there’s something very special about being completely alone in a church & performing alone, which brings another level to your videos.
Thank you Sophie, I think you made such a difference 😊
You should have listened properly. Her name is Sophia.
Thank you for sending some beauty and comfort across the pond to us here in the U.S., for many of us it's very timely
another warm, sensitive, enjoyable, and touching vid……you are such a joy….Rob
I watch these videos from Tottenham in North London, which is about as unlike the rural landscapes of Dorset as you can get. So I nearly jumped off my chair when I saw that the Robert Stather organ was made in Seven Sisters Road, which runs from Tottenham to Finsbury Park (also mentioned) and which I know very well. Tottenham itself has a claim to organ fame. In the local church of St Mary’s there is a William Hill organ. It was completely refurbished thanks to a lottery grant not very long ago. Among other things, they put cameras inside so that visiting schoolchildren can see how it works. Many thanks for all the videos.
Considering that I’m rather old and first played a pump organ at age 7, I can say with certainty that you’re simply not pumping enough. Just as the blower in a pipe organ inflates a weighted bellows that maintains a sustained air pressure, reed organs have a version of the same. It just uses the strength and speed of your ankles instead of an electric blower. Full even balanced strokes of the pedals, full depth and more rapidly with no stopping point in the motion of either foot will even it all out. Essentially one foot is traveling upwards while the other is traveling down.
I would love to make a week or two trip to England and rebuild both those instruments. I rebuilt my first one on my dining room table that could have taken about 6 days (even though it took me 6 weeks on my “free time”). They’re quite lovely instruments and deserve to be restored and played. I suspect the “removable” sharp keys is because of the hide glue becoming rehydrated in the moisture of those unheated churches and then drying and falling off. If I was blessed with the funds to be able to take the trip across the pond to do so, I would in a heartbeat if you would document the process.
more than 50 years ago, I "haunted" many of my local churches, playing their organs and pianos, late at night, ( I was given permission,) playing everything from Bach to Rock music. Improvising and letting my imagination carry me along and aloft. your videos make me long for that life in music that I left behind so long age...thank you
I love the tone of that little organ. I know nothing of organs or music, but it seems to punch above it's weight!
These reed organs are very simple and easily repaired, THE common defect in these is the bellows cloth has become brittle, cracked, rotted over the decades, and mice sometimes chew holes in the fabric.
The bellows need to be removed, the old rubber coated cloth removed, and a new piece glued on, same with the two small exhausters the foot pedals open and close, it can be done in a weekend, Ive done it on my reed organs.
The rubberized fabric costs around $150-$175 USD for enough to restore one of these.
The other major issues include cracks in the wood reed pan, these can be filled and patched, general cleaning is a must, broken reeds- they can be replaced.
With just that, the organ can be completely playable again, a complete restoration would involve cleaning the brass reeds, refinishing the case etc.
In the USA these organs are as common as telephone poles, many MANY appear every week on Ebay, in FB's market place, Craig's list, Etsy and others, anywhere from "free- you haul it) on up, unfortunately many wind up dumped in the trash, or gutted to make desks from.
Well said, I think that if more people got to hear how well these instruments can sound and how fun they are to play, I think people would learn to respect them again. I thank Ben for showing them such respect and exposing these forgotten instruments to a new audience.
Again thank you Ben for another wonderful video from st Mary’s again and how wonderful you have saved another organ it’s sound is great 👍 lovely to see Sophia with you again today and it was lovely to see you walking in the autumn 🍂 it does not seem it was the spring that we saw the lovely views and the delightful church ⛪️ I do look forward to Sunday evenings to see where you are taking us take care 👵🏻
I lived in Dorset for many years and its a lovely little well preserved chuch - shame I didn't know it was in need of a new organ before moving away as I have owned for over 50 years a fully working reed organ with an impressive sound output that belies its size . Keep up the good work Ben and if anyone knows of any other church or chapel etc in need of a donated reed organ please get in touch
Beautiful church and organ . It is WELL.. is a lifelong favorite. And ur new sheet music fits so wonderfully
W/the organ and church it was played on/in. Thank you so much for sharing ur talent w/us.
God Bless.
Ms Clovia,
From TX., USA ❤
Great video Ben! I loved your piece and your "Peace". God bless.
Thanks for another good video Ben
Pleasure thank you!
I'm glad to see & hear that an orphaned organ has found a new home. Another Sunday of beautiful music! Thanks Ben!
With a reed organ, you have to pump down the bellows to build up the vacuum before you play, then maintain the vacuum by pumping faster than the bellows can open. You are playing with the bellows nearly exhausted.
I think it's a bit difficult for people in the 21st century to grasp how genuine and serious was the faith of people like Spafford in that era. To have just learned that your entire family -- wife and children -- had been lost at sea, and to have the reaction of a complete acceptance of God's will. To be able to say "It Is Well With My Soul" (and mean it) immediately after learning of the tragedy ... Are there any words? (Possibly not. But there's music.)
That hymn, played on that organ in that church. Perfect.
Not to mention the piece you composed. It all comes together in a matchless way. This video seems to be just one gift after another. It's amazing that you're able to do this week after week, Ben. I'm hoping that Vicar King is smiling down. 🙂
The four daughters were lost, going down with the ship, but the wife was rescued. Spafford had been briefly delayed by urgent work in Chicago, and planned to soon catch up with the family in England. Upon her arriving in England, she sent him a telegram, "Saved alone." Spafford immediately went to England to meet her. At least they still had each other, as well as their deep faith.
@@tomclemans Thanks so much for the clarification. Remarkable faith on the part of both of them, no?
That song and that instrument are a nice testament to divine blessings even in trying circumstances! I've placed my trust in God that
As the World social and political culture continues to degrade threatening more world wars, I've placed my trust in God's wisdom, power and Jesus' love.
You can continue to enjoy such peace as you continue in God's word and listen to His spirit.
👆
Well said!
Thanks!
Ben, I believe that sliding lever is a mechanical sforzando that controls movable expression panels surrounding the reeds. They might require cleaning and lubrication to work smoothly again. Wonderful composition. I am reminded of my distant English King family members lurking in my family tree. Thank you!
Thank you for your video. "It is well with my soul"is very poignant and evidence of hope alive in great tragedy.
Such an enjoyable song! Thank you for playing it for us.
How can one say that there are friendless organs in friendless churches? If there's one thing glaringly obvious is that as long as Ben Maton is on the prowl, these churches and organs have a truly loyal and caring friend indeed! As always, I love the historical and biographical context in which you feature these organs and churches. Well done, Ben, well done! I served in the U.S. Navy for a number of years, mainly in the Pacific Fleet, and have had the opportunity to serve with the Royal Navy and Australian Navy...great times and great memories. Cheers, dude.
1. You did an amazing job of playing smoothly with the pedals supplying the air without a working reservoir. Some reed organs have a lever that turns the reservoir on and off. With the reservoir off, the foot pedals control the dynamics, but takes most people a great deal practice to control smoothly. With the reservoir turned on, it is easier to be more smooth, although with a sacrifice of some of the dynamics.
2. The loudness lever you pointed out may well be a swell-shade control lever. If so, moving the lever to the right opens the shade for louder sound. It's popping to the left when it is close to the left side may be indication of the swell-shade spring pulling it shut. If the lever can be moved more to the right without breaking anything, it might stay there until you're ready to move it again. My American pump organ has a spring-loaded knee lever that opens a swell shade.
Yes, I was wondering whether the slider might be the equivalent of a knee-swell. The units I used to play typically had that on one side, and a 'crescendo' device on the other, which would add ranks as you swung your knee out. With yours, perhaps, too? Estey organs were very common in the (NSW Australia) country churches I used to play at as a teenager.
Yiepppeh! A harmonium!
When I was a teenager I used to play the same as the Old Organ in Church where my Father was a Missionary Pastor in Northeast Africa. I am happy Ben to see that you play these old Organs in the Old abandoned Churches. I love this Hymn "It is well with my soul". Thank you for sharing with us your wonderful musical talent. Have a Blessed Week.
I just cannot get over your wonderful new tribute music. It's lovely!
Thank you for bringing this video to us--and the world!
Very nice, as always. Sophia has provided fine assistance again, as well. Perhaps a pleasant, relaxed country supper is in order...hmm? Thanks, Ben.
The Story & Clarke can be restored with a lot of work involved but totally worth it. It would be a vacuum wind so it works on reverse pressure. These instruments are still in use in some smaller parishes in the USA. They never got their day in the sun, but are very expressive and versatile. Some even have surprised me with the volume and types of music that it can make.
Sounds like a topic for another video haha!
I have noticed on many or your recordings on reed organs that you rarely pump vigorously to get a "full head of wind" in the bellows. As a result you are able to get more expression on the piece you are playing. I have a reed organ that I bought in poor condition in the 1960s. I tore it all apart and found the main problem was that the bellows were deteriorating. I found some rubberized aprons that I cut to size and put it place of worn and torn pieces and that solved that problem. Shortly after that bit of restoration one of the pedal straps broke and so I replaced both of them with some military type of strapping material. Several of the stops had a note would not play at all, so I delved more deeply into the "guts" of the organ and discovered that there were only two set of reeds. A further discovery with a small nail driven into a short piece of a broomstick allowed me to fit the head of the nail into a notch on the back of the reed and pull it out of the reed board and remove a but of dust or lint causing the mute note. I also discovered the notes dos not sound because of air being blown through them but by a vacuum sucking air through them. The wind chest is essentially a vacuum chamber created by pumping the air out of the "chest" which then causes air to enter the chest by being drawn through the reeds as the keys are played.
Ultimately I tore the whole thing apart to replace the felt linings on all the surfaces on the mechanical parts making the whole organ air tight. While I was at it I stripped all the wood work and refinished it. Over the years a small child had scratched a smiley face in the the top layer of varnish on one of the sides of the organ. I was pleasantly surprised to find than under all those layers of varnish and layers there were delicate carvings that had not seen the light of day for decades. It also exposed a beautiful wood which I think is cherry, I refinished it with a natural finish of beeswax and turpentine to bring to life the natural beauty of the wood grain. This was a project taking the better part of the year of my spare time. I still play occasionally. I stake some photos and send them to you soon.
Robert Rieffel (okeerief@gmail.com)
Okeechobee, Florida, USA
Thank you Ben that was so moving”It is well with my soul”
Dependably, like Big Ben, it's Sunday evening again here in Northern Vermont, USA ... time to check in on Ben's whereabouts and whatupabouts.
Ben, you've successfully embedded yourself in my consciousness, like a 'Lassie Come Home' mantra. Son of a gun !! Thankfully.
Thank you Sophia, for freeing up both of Ben's hands so he can display his full range of skills! Your camera work is wonderful, expert and sensitive!
Every time I hear the acoustic of these lovely old churches I wish I could PREACH in them; they were designed to promote the hearing of the Word of God by the congregation. Modern churches have dreadful acoustic so we are doomed to electronic sound, a poverty-stricken alternative.
A good point regarding the sound of preaching inside a given space. I'm sure you're aware that when George Whitefield came to America in the 18th century, he often preached outdoors. There are reports that even the people in the very back of the crowd (He drew huge crowds... sometimes thousands of people.) could hear him clearly. How he managed to accomplish that without amplification... it's hard to tell. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Cathedral near me just spent a huge amount of money to "upgrade" their sound system, and now what the congregation hears is virtually impossible to decipher.
"The trump' shall resound and the Lord shall desend, even so, it well with my soul!" - One of my favourite hymns, especially with the background story of the composer! Being a member of a 'Black Baptist' church, I'm partial to the recorded version by the Great DORIS AKERS, gospel singer, composer, tremendous choir director and so much more . . . God's blessings be upon you Mr.Maton!
You’re so welcome- thanks
There's a sweet sweet spirit in this place!
A harmonium! And, from the looks of it, in better shape than Mrs Lovett's harmonium in Sweeney Todd: "And a real bargain it was, dear, it being only partly singed when the chapel burnt down."
Ben you are such a wonderful organist Love your blogsThank you👏
Merci!
The harmonium is a much finer instrument for a live worship space such as that. The Story and Cllark is really a house parlor organ never intended for a church as you can tell from the knick knack shelf and mirror above the keyboard. This harmonium is a little treasure and given a good polish, the magnificent piece for that worship space. Thank you so much for these weekly boosts for my musical soul. Re music for harmoniums....Oh my goodness there is much music written for the harmonium whether it's by Vierne or Karg-Elert or Arthur Bird or Percy Grainger. Come over to America and I can show you at least 25 fine reed organs in my collection... German, French and Austrian instruments along with many large American instruments.....some with multiple keyboards and pedals! Again thank you!
Thanks
You had me with the poignant closing hymn--high on my list of favorites and an affirmation of hope.
Beautiful! Bravo! If the air valves of the bellows seal well, then the bellows holds its vacuum longer - lessening the chuffing effect you hear while peddling.
The volume device is a gimmick - I have seen similar on American organs and it should be attached to the reservoir & indicates how open or closed it is- on the left, you're pumping softly- moving to the right, you are pumping hard and increasing the volume. Interestingly - the way the key coverings are attached with metal pins, the cover over the pedals, the reinforcing brass on the case & the handles - these strongly suggest that this was a model built to be shipped overseas to be used in Missionary work
In America we fix organs all the time like that Oregon from Chicago it’s a couple thousand dollars to have the bellows redone. It’s not that expensive or bad. They’re great organs
You were playing a harmonium and they have a beautiful ethereal sound. I use to own one many years ago. The slider control may for opening the swell shutters in the instrument. Beautiful sounding instrument.
Ben, you are jewel in the crown of life. You've moved me to tears in a marvelous video again. Thank you.
Your composition was insane Ben, thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for your new composition that you spent so many hours preparing to play on this harmonium!
As I've said before, I am quite fond of the sound of reed organs. And because of the familiarity and associations I have with it, I especially appreciate today's playing of "It Is Well With My Soul"! I've heard it many ways through the years - sometimes in lush choral arrangements. I love the way you play it here with a lonely, plaintive first verse of the melody alone, before then bringing in the richly toned harmonies for the chorus and the second verse. Moving!
Loved the inclusion of the drone footage in this video!
The only thing I can say: "THANK YOU VERY MUCH !" ...
Part of your composition sounds like a slow liturgical tango... Excelsior!
Congratulations on that splendid piece Ben - and another great video. That reed organ is really expressive and sounds marvellous in that acoustic.
Like a mini orchestra ☺️
Yes, "It is well with my Soul" is an American hymn I've heard and sung more times than I can remember, but your video is the first time I've ever heard the sad story of the death of its author's family. That made it even more impactful. And your own composition was, as usual, very fine. Perhaps unintentionally, it reminded me of an Italian hurdy-gurdy tune played in The Godfather, Part 2- and I really liked it. I hope this episode also gets you 20,000 views!
What a quality of content!
Praise to the God Almighty!
You’re welcome!
@@SalisburyOrganist thank you sir,I'm from Tamil Nadu,An Anglican Church member,Part of CSI....
May God use you more!!
Rex Regnum Beatior....a dang good composition, sir!
As an owner of multiple read organs, and as a player who uses the treadles for expression, I must say, the treadles on the organ in this video seem to have an outsized effect. Subtle movements produce an astonishing change in the percussivety. I wonder if it's a positive air pressure mechanism (harmonium) or a negative/vacuum air pressure system (reed organ).
A wee bit late, No? 😇 I got caught up in some appointments. This was a fun adventure. It's so wonderful to see that you could help them. That is such a beautiful piece you composed for the harmonium/piano. Thank you. (Char is perusing the score) Nothing like a challenge! I have asked my local music store whether I can buy a modern made harmonium. They found a source and that will be my next music instrument purchase. Very affordable. I agree that "It Is Well" is a heart rending yet poignantly compelling hymn. It touches the deepest depths of the soul, especially when you know its origin. Blessings, Char
This was great, Ben.
It's a good idea to write your own music! Thanks a lot!
The first time I heard the hymn IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL was at the funeral of one of my friends at work mother. This was in the early 90s. It has become a very familiar funeral standard.
Two compositions by Ben in one episode 💥💥💥
And oh my, are they of the topmost quality? First, the theme music, and then Rex Regnum Beatior, a living music captured beautifully by that humble reed organ.
We need more great compositions of yours on your channel; they're top shelf, and great composers of yore would have been amazed at your ingenious compositions.
Thank you Ben ❤
This is my favourite comment so far- thanks so much for your kindness 😀
It Is Well is my favorite hymn, especially when I learned of its history. Thank you for this beautiful rendition of my hymn. You blessed my soul today.
Great episode, Ben! Thank you for playing one of my favorite hymns.
Mine too!
I believe that the small ("English") organ is a true Harmonium - pressure operated rather than vacuum. It is basically a French Harmonium and the stop marked "Expression" should (if pulled out) operate the reeds directly from the foot bellows. However, if pushed in; then the foot bellows should fill the reservoir which will hold its wind and enable a more legato style of playing. As you only played it in "Expression" mode, I wonder if that stop is not actually connected. I am currently restoring a French "Alexandre" harmonium for my local church in the Auvergne, France and it has basically the same stops and features as that one. Look into it - it makes playing it much easier, yet retains the option of the direct expression.
What a beautiful sound ❤️
"You're almost playing it like an accordion..." accurately stated. That's how I describe the reed organ to people who want to know how it's different from other organs. I simply say, "Think of it as a giant accordion." That's what it sounds like, but because the keyboard can be played with two hands, you can voice the repertoire as for Organ.
This strong reaction of the instrument to the wind supply is really a bit strange. As far as I know, this should only be the case when the "Expression" stop is pulled. This normally allows the pedals to have a very direct effect on the sound. Otherwise, there should be a reservoir bellows in between that keeps the sound a bit more stable. A look under the lid could clarify what is going on.
Ben, I think that control lever is a "Swell" control to mute or open the reeds for more volume. The panel hinges may need cleaning and lubrication to work smoothly again.
❤❤it is well with my soul to hear you play❤❤
Your such a blessing
Nice of you to have helped with the arrangements to get this organ saved from the tip and to a church in need of it. Your playing was lovely as always. If I said 'please' might we hear Sophia on the piano a time or two? All the best. I wish I was in a position to support your channel more effectively. Nice to hear that the old church was full the night you played. It would not surprise me if your collective actions may be a boon to charities like the Friends. Well done.
Congratulations to this harmonium.
Maybe the "Expression-Stop" is still engaged. It switches off the magazin-bellow.
Both instruments should get a restauration and both will be wonderful instruments.
This instrument works with pressure-system. To have a contiunuos tone, the way to pump the air is importand. Pump with one pedal, but before you reach the end, start with the other pedal and let the air in the bellow of the first pedal. This needs a little bit of practising.
The reed organ on the right side (with suction system) has a complete different character and will have an wonderful sound, if it would be restored. Rodney Jantzy has very good tutorials on his YT-channel.
I have a harmonium and a reed organ and I will never abstain from one.
Thank you for playing one of my favorite hyms: "When peace like a river"!
Please continue your work!
Rex Regnum Beatior would have amazed Handel despite being played on a harmonium. This piece brings Ben’s church videos on UA-cam since Alvediston last August to just over two million views, a personal triumph for Ben. No organist has recently given so much pleasure to so many people. Sophia is from the Greek word for wisdom.
I think the volume control lets more or less air volume to hit the reeds, hence volume increase or decrease