FAMOUS ORGAN HIDDEN ON A SUBURBAN STREET!

[@gregcrease8066]

Every line of that fugue is audible, a testament to Bach’s genius and your playing.

[@davef.2329]

Keep going until you've covered the whole of GB! I'll be here. Thanks, Ben.

[@anner0730]

You played that “little” fugue so well, like it was nothing at all. Lovely instrument and lovely sound.

[@BaroqueBach.]

I must say, the quality of these videos, both in its content and in its production, is ever increasing! Thank you Ben for yet another amazing video!

[@geraldspencer1272]

That is a lovely bit of happiness. Applause!

[@elainelee4828]

Nothing beats J.S. Bach’s sound from this brand of pipe organ. A window peaking into heaven. Thank you so much, Ben. One serendipitous note, your video popped up in my KZbin feed when I was in London right before last Christmas (less than two months ago) my first and only trip to Europe ever. What I remember the best out of so much unforgettable experiences was the paid guided tour of Winchester Cathedral. Those precious tiny medieval tiles. ❤❤❤

[@jamesallison4875]

The long trill was fabulous! Great job and what a magnificent little instrument. Thanks, Ben.

[@jenni48.32]

The swell of music to Jerusalem 'on England's green and pleasant land' gives the essence of the visual beauty to raise the senses to imagine the greatness of English life from the past and how we can hear it even today.The grace of Bach is your essence to grace us with delightful joy to the worthy music at your creative hands.Your a master to organ music.Appreciated on a winter afternoon.

[@mg3261]

this is truly a remarkable one manual pipe organ by father henry willis with a superb small range of stops and has a very good tonal quality and fills the church effortlessly with sound

[@joschmoyo4532]

I've worked on a lot of different Organs over the year's. Every instrument has its own unique personality. It is the sum of the men who crafted it. Back in the day a fully trained organ builder was a very highly skilled craftsman who had to be able to master technically varied and complex woodwork to a very high degree of accuracy. We took great pride in our craftsmanship and it shows in this Willis. No short cuts, no shonky plywood or chipboard. What you have there is an absolute gem. Tonally and physically. Father Willis Organs are masterpieces. And yes it's true, they all have a certain smell. It's a blend of leather, wood, hide glue, French polish and pipe metal. Every screw would have been set with a dab of tallow so it did not rust and stick. Even the smallest block would be hand chamfered with organ builder's corner's. A lot of love and care goes in to an organ of this quality. Thanks Ben for bringing this instrument to life. You bring real soul and sensitivity to your craft. Hearing this instrument brought tears to my eye's.

[@michaelpatterson5811]

A fabulous insight, Josch! Thank you. It didn't look, from Ben's video, as though the present owners have been taking 'due care & attention' of 'Father' Willis's craftmanship. But the great instrument in the cathedral is within walking distance of this bleak building (Ben is always so kind, no matter what he is faced with!), so a little finance could be set aside to entice Harrison & Harrison (who maintain that instrument) to do the necessary.

[@joschmoyo4532]

@@michaelpatterson5811 The main thing is the Organ was saved from the rubbish skip. I wouldn't presume to do a diagnostic on its current condition without a closer look but I've seen and worked on far worse. It's heartening to know Harrison's are still in business. I think Walker are still up and running. I'm no longer in the trade full time sadly but God I miss it. I have seen beautiful organs butchered by cowboy's. That is heart breaking to witness. Nobody should be allowed near these instruments unless they have been through an apprenticeship. You really need to know what your doing. I worked on an Organ in Tasmania that had been hacked badly. The stop slides looked like they'd been cleaned with a wire brush and bastard file. The instrument had been sabotaged rather than restored. It made my blood boil. When you restore an organ you are digging up the souls of the men who made them. I learned so much from those deceased Organ builder's. To see their love and care desecrated ? That hurts. Ben is doing a great job of reminding us what it feels like to enter a sacred space and how music creates the frame of mind to commune with God. Massive respect. My Grandfather was born in Devizes so it's a real joy to join his visits to my families roots. I haven't been to Salisbury Cathedral. Love to visit sometime.

[@hansbeestman7460]

Hans uit Zwolle Nederland luistert en geniet dank 😊

[@michaelpatterson5811]

Bedankt, namens Ben - de organist. Michael x @@hansbeestman7460

[@joschmoyo4532]

@@michaelpatterson5811 Hard to say. It would need a closer look. But as long as the roof doesn't leak its a Willis saved from the skip. The reservoir is lifting up and the leather looks okay. Sticking pallets can quite often be a quick fix. By and large any restoration is best done in the workshop. It's usually not a good idea to let members of the congregation or organist " have a go" . It just ends up doing damage. Until your familiar with building an organ from the ground up your just not going to have a full sense of where the problems will be and how to tackle them. It's never good to have an organ exposed to direct sunlight or near a window. That said it's good to have easy access around the instrument as in this case. By and large, mechanical action organs hold up well with reasonable care. The big weakness of pneumatics is leather. Once that starts to deteriorate you are facing major restoration and expense. Dad roped me in to releathering quite a few pneumatics on his Church's Lewis. A fine Organ. Fabulous reed's.

[@michaelparker719]

I love to observe your enthusiasm, learn from your knowledge, and hear your superb playing. I have been listening to other organists play via KZbin recently but none of them play with the soul and excitement you bring to the music. You are a true musician. Thank you for allowing us a peak into your inner world. We live in a tawdry world but your music gives us a glimpse of Reality.

[@SalisburyOrganist]

Love it. Thank you so much

[@8000Christopher]

That was lovely. The pieces you played reminded me of what the organist at my church, The Presbyterian Church of Saint David, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada played many times, Jerusalem, Nimrod, and the Bach piece. His name was Larry MacLean and he was taught by Marcel Dupre when he was at Saint-Sulpice in Paris. After the service Larry sometimes played the trumpet piece from the movie Star Wars. The organ was a Casavant Freres organ from Quebec, Canada, it had trumpets at the front of the church, over the balcony, halfway between there and the ceiling. It is a wonderful instrument and Mr. MacLean played it very well indeed. Thanks for your channel, it is a great joy to watch and listen too.

[@louise_rose]

Such a beautiful instrument and setting! 🎹 "Jerusalem" was played (without vocals, just like here) at the funeral of my old mother, a year ago, at my request. I was thinking both of the link to the Last Night of the Proms (which we used to watch with great enjoyment every year) and of William Blake's lyrics with their expression of a hope that relates both to justice in this world and to religious salvation. I knew it would fit in, and it did. ❤ Thank you for showing this lovely organ. :) /Louise, Sweden

[@garywait3231]

Many thanks for enriching my Sabbath with another of your inspiring organ tours. I have heard the Father Willis organs in Salisbury Cathedral and the Albert Hall, but was totally unaware of this gem, so well suited to "Jerusalem", "Nimrod ", and the Bach. I certainly share your enthusiasm for this historic organ, and the more so as I was instrumental in securing an historic organ for my 1836 parish church in Vermont (USA). Would love to hear you do a full recital on this wonderfully beautiful instrument!

[@michaeltreadwell777]

You forgot to mention Truro Cathedral - that too houses a magnificent Father Henry Willis Organ. Thanks Ben, for taking us to these beautiful Churches and for playing these lovely Organs. Take care 🙂

[@philiphumphrey1548]

Apart from the crucifixes and the tabernacle, that building almost looks like it could be a protestant chapel. I'm a Catholic but I love the space and simplicity. The organ and the playing sounded wonderful, they must have been very lucky to have located it and that it's just right for the building.

[@katydickson5547]

Thank you for sharing. I so enjoyed watching and listening and learning all about the history of that organ. I also enjoyed the music that you played on it as well. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🇿🇦

[@marccheban194]

Ben, it is so rewarding to watch you love these organs into life!

[@susansalter7543]

I got my love for organ music from my late dad. He used to travel miles for recitals, Thank you for this channel.

[@elizabethash4720]

Oh, the counterpoint in this musical masterpiece. So soothing.❤🎉😊

[@DavidtheWriter]

Hey, Ben. Glad you're back. (Thought you'd maybe caught the bug.) And what a treat to hear you play a Willis in this lovely church. I bet angels were doing the happy dance to hear that fugue played so well. Cheers!

[@cynthiastory-cs1vm]

Ben, thank you for Jerusalem! Such magnificent writing - and indeed that 'suburban organ has a thrilling and melting tone. Please keep searching! Cynthia

[@KenG557]

Ben, you make the wood, ivory and lead ascend to Heaven. Thank you.

[@bobbyhendley3084]

How amazingly fortunate of this congregation to have one of his instruments in their otherwise modern church building! All of that concrete undoubtedly makes it far more acoustically alive down in the pews.

[@dpjr47]

Thank you for choosing the Bach piece, one of my favorites. It shows the quality of the organ.

[@doerthemanahan9912]

Absolutely wonderful sound. Thank you for introducing your followers to this special church and organ.

[@MartinConkling]

Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge. What a delight!

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

Bach's ability to improvise on various themes in different keys across the musical scale, is second to none.

[@giuliakhawaja7929]

A beautiful clarity of sound from the organ and beautifully played as always.

[@giuliakhawaja7929]

PS was Father Henry Willis a priest?

[@SalisburyOrganist]

@@giuliakhawaja7929 No but his descendants were also called Henry!

[@giuliakhawaja7929]

So he was a father but not a Father. 😏

[@davidcraggs3770]

The Bach was astounding Ben, even without a mixture and pedal to reed

[@marthawatson4162]

I love the sound of this Organ and ,as usual, your playing of the Fugue by Bach is very clear. Thank you.

[@CharlesLangSamuel]

Thank you, I enjoyed your rendition of this Bach and the wonderful cinematic context, which British seem so good at. As a child in California in churches I heard lots of playing, largely on electronic organs and now it’s absolutely enlightening to understand more of the history, as surely the electronic organ sounds were influenced by this culture of organ building and Willis’s work. Your eagerness and excitement for the music and instruments and buildings is absolutely contagious!

[@susanmuir286]

Thank you Ben, that was beautiful.

[@johannesreckel9036]

Your words and your filming make me feeling the simple and yet noble architecture of this church in its full potential. Of course I cannot stop thinking what happened to the church this organ was built for originally.

[@ilonamollema6467]

What a beautiful instrument. It could really use some tlc! To be honest: I was a bit sad that you stopped playing "Nimrod". I really like that piece. And I hope you will play the entire piece soon. Being Dutch, I really love seeing all these old churches and their organs. And I'm glad you showed them to us all. Most of them are little gems. Thank you for using your precious time to film, play, and edit these videos. It's highly appreciated!❤

[@DavidtheWriter]

Hopefully Ben will return once the organ has been serviced, because, I agree, "Nimrod" would be beautiful on it.

[@marilynbridges8697]

I treasure my Dutch heritage from my Dad-his parents came to America in 1910 &1911. His younger brother was an organist and a first cousin was an organ builder. I love the Dutch composers' music.

[@heatherleslie5874]

I’ve found myself eagerly looking out for each new instalment, Ben! Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion with such enthusiasm. Your playing and your descriptions are exquisite!

[@James-dx8qb]

Gotta say, I did miss the countryside and old church vibe today, along with the interesting historic guide.

[@SalisburyOrganist]

You’ll enjoy the next one then...

[@gingram110]

You started playing Bach and I got the biggest grin on my face! An absolutely amazing rendition on that historic organ. I look forward to your weekly videos, even though I only recently found your channel. Bravo from the USA!

[@beeswaxcandle3309]

I think that was the cleanest articulation I've heard in that fugue (and I've got recordings by several eminent organists). The lines were clear and I was never in doubt where the subject and answer were.

[@anglicanman1]

A wonderful instrument. Glad it found a new home in Salisbury.

[@AlidaGroenewald-d5w]

Thank you. From South Afrika.

[@Kimberlaina]

Bach sounds fantastic on this instrument! What an excellent display of your talent as well. Thanks again!

[@dennislewis6097]

How does a city with such a beautiful cathedral have so many parish churches? When I was there last summer, I was surprised to pass St. Thomas Beckett, within sight of the cathedral. Now this is the third Salisbury parish church you've introduced to me.

[@janbeaves-eg8ij]

Lovely church and the organ sounds , you seem to go round a lot of churches well done keep going regards jan .

[@ericbursey6950]

Sunday just after 2 in the afternoon in Northern Vermont USA -- enjoying your contribution to peace on earth, good will to men. Thank you Ben.

[@MusicaAngela]

I would love to hear you play all of Nimrod on this organ (once it is repaired) Just the opening you played was so beautiful!

[@FFS704]

Yes, I was thinking the same

[@SalisburyOrganist]

Absolutely. I wish the organ played the notes I wanted it to 🤣

[@mattleach958]

Thank you Ben as always. What an lovely little Willis. Hope it gets some care. I like the architecture of the church also. - Matt

[@boebie100]

Ben, Ben! You playing on a beautiful organ, playing Jerusalem AND Nimrod, finishing off with a fugue from Bach... Can it get any better than that?! Thanks you very much!

[@marye7798]

Always am so appreciative of your charming videos. Kudos.

[@ericlauridsen5193]

I like everything about this page: the sound of trailer, the keys, the wind, the cracking of the door and then finally the majestic sound of the Organ.

[@OnTheHookCrochetwithJeanne]

Bach beautifully and effortlessly played on this special organ. The Angels were certainly smiling. ❤ God has blessed you, Ben.

[@ventusborealis2414]

Jolly good organ playing. Thank you sir Maton. 🎩 Greetings from Finland 🇫🇮

[@minirwin]

I was convinced it was finally going to be a telford organ! My church's isn't played regularly anymore, but still maintained. Always a treat to listen to these fantastic instruments.

[@maryannmoran-smyth3453]

Absolutely superb, the organ is my favorite instrument though I play guitar and sing, my pipes are like the Oregon pipes. I fill them with air and emotion, and draw out the music with fullness of my breath and spirit, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels… Another great show… Bravo,… Keep on rocking

[@keving331]

Thank You, Maestro Maton. Another splendid video. How long, people are asking, before we see you performing on Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer? And if that’s not available, how about in Salisbury Cathedral 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵?

[@michaelpatterson5811]

Wow, wonce agwain, Ben! I had no idea - a 'Father' Willis organ in a old concrete kirk in the drab suburbs of Salisbury. I hope that your visit will increase awarenes of this gem - and get the priest to fund a visit from Harrison & Harrison (who look after the exceptional cathedral instrument) to pop down the road and give it the essential TLC it so richly deserves! All power to your pipes, Michael.

[@maureenwhiteley2052]

Ben thank you for playing, in my opinion, the master of organ works J S Bach. It was a joy to listen to you. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. Loving your journey demonstrating all the organs and Churches. A favourite watch of mine.

[@OCCA]

MARVELOUS playing, lovely instrument

[@thoughtfulhistorytoday7214]

Moving an organ from point A to point B must require so much planning. I cannot imagine how much of the instrument must be disassembled to be moved safely. Can't just hire two guys and a van!

[@henrybalkwill3276]

The curate here is a fine organist too!

[@johnball3487]

Beautiful! Looks like the Subbass pipes are on Tubular Pneumatic chest and may need some work or a tube leaking or nearly out of it's hole. Could be an easy fix or not! Go back and play a recital on that beautiful tracker. Very worth your time!! Thank you (from Louisville, KY area) USA

[@bradkarpenko4568]

Who knew ? Thanks Ben . I was looking forward to your video today and was not disappointed . I even got to hear some Bach ( I love Bach ) .

[@AdrianEarnshawMusic]

I really enjoy these videos. If you ever get up to the north west of England there are two organs in close proximity of each other in a little village called Chipping. May be worth a look. There's also a Fr Willis organ in the town where I live and I get play it now and again when they need my services. You topped this video by playing one of my favourite Bach fugues.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Be well, Ben!

[@thierrymadec7644]

I enjoy your videos about organs. You have a very pleasant way to show us extraordinary instruments.

[@andrewstrathdee1469]

Thanks

[@jf7243]

What a stunning high Art Deco building, where even the door knob was cast polished brass and organic in style. The Willis certainly is of beautiful tone for the small RC church and I noted the patched bellows in your close up! Many thanks again Ben!

[@jacoboVE_Cultura]

Beautiful instrument with good sound, the registers that you use in your intervention in this church that you present to us in the video, once again you demonstrate your love for the emperor of instruments, you captivate us with your creations, I am happy seeing how you love and pamper them, I remember how I was captivated by the world of the organ in my pre-adolescence when my paternal grandfather took me to the Archpriest Church of San Jaime in my city of Villarreal in the Valencian Community in the Kingdom of Spain. I was shocked to hear the great baroque organ for the first time. of the 18th century and the great romantic organ of 1932 impacted me and so my love and passion for these instruments still continues today. Thanks Ben good job.

[@cathystillman-lowe972]

I so enjoy hearing your performances of both music I know well, and music that is completely new to me. I visited the chapel at St Peter's College Oxford recently, to see the dazzling east window by John Hayward - what a wonderful place to play the organ!

[@michaelmartens7728]

I had expected a medium-sized symphonic instrument (medium quality) from the late 1930s... what a surprise! Fine presentation!

[@johnblakeH]

The organ sounds lovely, but there's the potential for so much more. I hope the church can have it repaired and brought back to its former glory...and that they invite you back for a full recital.

[@joschmoyo4532]

Oooh, it's a Willis. Nice.

[@MichaelReilly-r7h]

You are very kind. As a Catholic I have come to a great sadness over these " modern churches" which lack beauty and do little to inspire. So many tr;uly beautiful RC churches torn down here in :USA. Love your programs God Blesss

[@St0rmcrash]

It is a little austere but remember this church was built in the 30s during the depression, when austerity and focus on simplicity and the essentials was the name of the game. And while tempting to go in after and add a bunch of ornamentation when times are better doing so can often look crass and compromise the artistic intent of the architecture. All types of architecture can be beautiful and inspiring in their own way if we give it a chance

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

Not austere. But the ravages of vatican 2!

[@myke49]

Bach's "little Fugue" is one of my favourites . Bach is amazing . He wrote some of the most amazing music. His fugues are wonderful . Thank-you for playing it. It is perfect on the little Willis organ. I have the Hereford organ on my Hauptwerk organ. Mike in Oz

[@lauralockwood1377]

That Bach piece was wonderful. Thank you so much. Sounded superb on the Father Willis organ.

[@colonelfire6404]

Very nice to hear Bach Little Fugue in G on such a cool organ.

[@lizwilliams14]

That was lovely. As usual. I was waiting for your latest video. Your music has brightened what was a dreary overcast day! Thanks Ben. Loved it.

[@suerobinson4575]

I wish there was a new video every day ...!! I enjoy them so much ...!! Thank you Ben ... keep up the good work that you do for us all over the world ... Blessings from Australia

[@renevilleneuve1070]

Ben is so inspired and inspiring. Fabulous organ.

[@nancyfalciani5499]

Enraptured. The first word I could think of to describe what I was feeling as you played Bach’s Fugue in G Minor BMV 578. Please put that piece on your music for sale, I will be first in line to purchase it. This was such an enjoyable video! Thank you for sharing this interesting (although not historic) organ with us. Is it the same with all organs that if they say they have, say, 16ft pipes, they are actually 8ft and send the air back down the 8ft to create the sound to be able to call themselves 16ft pipes? I thought that was fascinating. Thank you for another enriching and thought provoking program! Sincerely, Nancy F.

[@walterannas8486]

Not all 16ft pipes are stoppered. This charming accoustical law allows an economy of scale whereby the builder can charge for an 8ft pipe instead of a 16ft. It's suitable for gentler sounds, like the Bourdon, but more assertive sounds, such as a Trumpet, require a full-size pipe to provide the complete expression of all that stop's harmonic and inharmonic tones. Stoppered pipes can also be found in the shorter sizes also such as 2ft pipes speaking 4ft tones and 4ft pipes speaking 8ft tones.

[@NevilleODonohue]

I enjoyed this clip very much. I was hoping for a close up on what looks like a wonderful crucifix. I wonder what the original altar and sanctuary was like before being simplified some time since 1965. Thank you for the Bach - it lifted me out of suburbia and returned me in hope. What a clever purchase by that parish community.

[@nigelanthonylc4453]

I loved listening to the Willis organ in Westminster Cathedral London, as you mentioned in your video it has a beautiful orchestral sound.

[@markkegel]

They say the room the organ is in, is the most important stop. I think that that is certainly the case here! I play a Willis that escaped to The Netherlands in the 80's and although a fine quite large instrument it's slightly let down by the dryisch acoustics of our building.

[@SomeGuy-cw9rw]

I love me some Ben. That’s a fine man right there. Oh, and he plays the organ well.

[@salisbury1944]

Lovely - thanks! My parish church, St. Francis, Salisbury, was built around the same time. (there is a video on KZbin) Sometime in the late 50's or early 60's, one access to the choir and tower was blocked off to house the blower for a new organ being built. A friend and neighbour of mine was allowed to use this organ for practice whilst visiting his parents on weekends off from the Royal College of Organists where he was a student. Returning from my apprenticeship - the bus stopped outside the church - I could hear him playing - and used to come in and sit quietly, listening... I know nothing about the organ - it would be very nice to hear you play it and comment on it. Coincidently, the Finnish village (Nakkila) where my wife went to school, has a church with very similar architecture to St. Francis. Regards from Gothenburg, Sweden

[@wynonahhogan2523]

Ben, thank you so much for your lovely videos! I always enjoy hearing you play Jerusalem! It's a wonderful hymn.

[@Tracygriffith-dz2ys]

Thanks Ben I watch your channel I’m not a organist but I do enjoy what you do

[@johnsomers8269]

Gave me goosebumps! Glorious sound, thanks to you and your unearthing these treasured instruments!

[@nicholaswalker9779]

Marvellous! Thank you. You should visit St Osmund's in Salisbury - a Bishop, modified (my suggestions!) in 1995. Small, but worth a look. Very nice Bach, by the way!

[@marshaprice8226]

Absolutely gorgeous!!! 💜💜💜 Request: I have loved “Jerusalem” since I saw it in “Chariots of Fire”. What you played in this video was stirring, but do please play the whole piece sometime soon. Thanks!

[@arabellacameron7620]

Wonderful playing. Your videos are so uplifting. Thank you

[@billymeyer99]

Wonderful Bach

[@raymondo162]

1:23: at my secondary school (cray valley tech) the main hall had very similar tapering roof supports, and along one side had floor-to-roof glass - affording excellent views across the sports field. some concrete work around that time was quite radical...........??

[@dmitrylotow9688]

Dear Mr. Maton, It seem to me, that it will be not bad to demonstrate all stops of this wonderful instruments.

[@caleanaturala7147]

Just donated to support your channel. Keep well Ben, thanks for all your work, passion and inspiration 🙂

[@christopherandrews2594]

Fascinating video. Most enjoyable.

[@chrish5319]

Wow, even with the dodgy pipes that Bach was magnificent and moving. Thank you very much, I will look out for you performing a recital on a repaired organ :-) Thank you again

[@SalisburyOrganist]

I’d love to do that :)

[@Knappa22]

What a beautiful sound. Goes to show that good quality bijou beats a big rattling box of nails any day.

[@andrewheermeyer5988]

Thanks for the G-moll fugue! An excellent example of the fact that for Bach's fugues one manual is enough and there is no need to change stops during the performance.

[@walterannas8486]

Bach's compositional expertise is beautifully demonstrated in this fugue. Note how the the development of the structure of the fugue as it progresses exposes a shifting variety of tones that change what we perceive as if there had been a change of the stops.

[@noelbolingbroke-kent3009]

And did those feet in ancient time, walk upon England’s mountains green? Did Joseph of Arimathea really come to England? Ben’s discovery of a Father Willis organ in a Salisbury suburban street is definitely different, but the playing of the Bach fugue is heroic. No cat this time, or any cheese and pickle sandwiches, or a great-grandfather.