A MASTERPIECE OF BAROQUE MUSIC // CANON IN D - PACHELBEL // CHURCH ORGAN // BEN MATON - Salisbury

How can a piece be so sad and yet so joyful!

Filmed and recorded at St Martin's Church, Salisbury.

Much of the inspiration for these videos comes from @beautyinsound who is doing more than anyone to promote the organ and its wonderful repertoire. Well done Richard.

St Martin's is an ancient musical centre, considerably older than Salisbury Cathedral and whose site has been a place of worship for well over 1000 years. It maintains an Anglo-Catholic tradition.

Please SUBSCRIBE to hear more of my weekly recordings. I am determined to upload every week to share the sounds of this historic instrument and the wonderful acoustic of St Martin's, where I’m fortunate to be Director of Music and Organist.

TIP: if you hold your phone sideways under your chin, you’ll hear the magnificent William Hill organ in stereo.

Specification of the St Martin's organ:
William Hill & Sons, 1869

GREAT
Bourdon 16 (1875)
Open Diapason 8 (1869)
Stopped Diapason 8 (1869)
Dulciana 8 (1869)
Principal 4 (1869)
Wald Flute 4 (1869)
Twelfth 2⅔ (1869)
Fifteenth 2 (1869)
Mixture III (1869)
Trumpet (1875)

SWELL
Bourdon 16 (1875)
Open Diapason 8 (1869)
Stopped Diapason 8 (1869)
Salicional 8 (1897)
Voix Celeste 8 (1897)
Principal 4 (1869)
Flautina 2 (1897)
Oboe 8 (1869)
Cornopean 8 (1897)

PEDAL
Open Diapason 16 (1869)
Bourdon 16 (1875)
Principal 8 (2002)
Flute 8 (2002)
Trombone 16 (2002)

[netwitchtatjana]

FINALLY someone plays this divine canon at the slow pace I first encountered and grew up with. I waited 60 years.

[Oldfaithful]

A controlled, almost subdued, sober rendition, without fioritura. Beautiful !

[Dowlphin]

🎶 _When I find myself in times of trouble, Pachelbel is always following me..._ 🎶

[susank]

This was the music I had for my wedding processional. Many years later two of my daughters learnt to play Canon on D on the piano and I could never get enough of hearing them play it. However, this performance was magnificent. You brought out all the majesty of the organ and gave a depth to this music that was just outstanding,

[janevonmaltzahn]

WOWZA! A new take on Pachelbel .. after all this time. The slow measured intro part ... what a breathtakingly simple yet so very expressive change from the normal faster tempo at the beginning! Then to pianissimo ... instead of building the volume ... wow. Then the bright sparkly part (I'm not an organist so I have not idea how you did it) at a brisker tempo. You woke us all up! THANK YOU!

[davidcraggs]

Fantastic performance Ben, you are amazing

[PaulineBaker-gv]

Praise God he continues to raise up young men in the faith, glorifying him with beautiful worship music. Thank you ❤️

[beautyinsound]

Thanks for the mention Ben, and well played. I gave a recital on this wonderful organ a few years ago in Tim Hone's time there. It was a great experience and I'd love to go back if I ever have time! Keep up the great playing!

[uwemommens]

Indeed a masterpiece. But even more, a masterpiece of an organ and a masterful, outstanding playing.

[peterfindlay]

Brilliantly played on an organ full of life and colour. Many thanks.

[NigelsMusic]

Usually I find this piece incredibly tedious and irritating to listen to, with the same eight bass notes and chord changes repeated ad nauseam. But you have breathed new life into it with your dramatic changes of tempo and registration, so our attention is diverted from the endless repetition. The effect when you add the 16' pedal reed at the final section is tremendous. Well done, indeed!

[jonathangoll]

Why I like to listen to Ben playing is partly his registration - the wise use of the stops; but also his relatively slow tempi. ( Without dragging.) Some organists play too fast.

[bettykremer]

Ben, you are magnificent!! Thank you! Merry Christmas! God bless!

[lornawilbore]

Oh my goodness how beautiful was that. Thank you so much. A true master doing what he loves.

[garywait]

Thanks for playing this wonderful canon at tempos which enable the listeners to fully appreciate the tapestry of the interwoven parts. Also great registrations.

[MalcolmKelshaw]

The joy you bring is so pleasing and leaves one relaxed and happy what great talent you have Ben thank you

[robertmdaniels]

There seems to be a warmth in the music played in the village churches that seems to be missing in the large organs played by Diane B. and many other organists. I like the way Ben plays those organs and the way they sound.

[willmears]

Canon in D, Pachelbel effects me so deeply and emotionally I often play it on a loop for 30-60 minutes. It never grows old, reduces it's impact, or leaves me yearning for something else. Your performance once again hit that same level.

[pamelafrancis]

This work is transformed! Thank you for bringing it back to life.

[antoniocolombo]

Dear Ben, I admire you a lot. Thanks for the trouble you take to show us those lovely village churches and their organ in the beautiful and relaxing southern English countryside. I am a parish organist in N. Italy and find your episodes delightful. Carry on and on. What you do is really inspiring. I'd also like to congratulate you on your pronunciation: I find it so clear and accentless, easy to understand. Ben, you are simply great! I watch you every day. Thank you very much indeed!
Antonio Colombo,
Bergamo, Lombardy,
N. Italy