ADVENT MUSIC and the Search for Dorset’s Loneliest Chapel

Thank you!

[elizabethash]

Hi Ben, I am delighted to meet you here, I live in Australia. I am elderly. I play piano and I like playing Bach also. I am fond of Dorset and Thomas Hardy.. Thank you for the tour of the parishes. The one window for light is intriguing. I enjoy hearing you play and explain the music and organ teaching. It's a relief not to have to be perfect, I 👍 agree. Keep warm. 😊

[KenG]

Ben, you make it seem that I'm walking along with you through that ancient and haunting English countryside. You, Sir, are an artist in every sense of the word.

[michaelbrown]

Wachet Auf...amazing how a piece can transport you through time and space. I shut my eyes and remember sitting in the pew between my father and mother and often hearing this played during the offering as a child. As my father now resides on a more distant shore and in a greater light, I love this memory from church all the more dearly. Thank you for taking me there once again. A blessed Adventide.

[Alter_Onkel]

Not many young people approach the Church Sanctuaries with awe and reverence as you do! You are such an inspiration, and it comes through in your poetry reading, your narrations, and your always beautifully performed music. Thank you again, Mr. Maton!

[noelbolingbroke-kent]

A thousand years and still going strong! Much to absorb in this video: a Bevington organ, Lawrence Washington, half-brother to George, a mysterious chapel, Billy’s guitar music, Wordsworth’s poetry, Ben’s crazy hair and headwear, advent music by Bach and Brahms and the feeling that the Salisbury Organist is making the world a better place.

[Dee-mjpu]

There's a sad feeling thinking of the sacking & closing of the monasteries. The people suffered from the loss.

[MarechalVI]

I noticed that the Lawrence family crest has a similar design to the flag of Washington D.C., so I looked it up, and Wikipedia says of the flag that "It is an armorial banner based on the coat of arms granted to Lawrence Washington (George Washington's 3rd great-grandfather) of Sulgrave Manor Northamptonshire, England, in 1592."

[oneworldonepeople]

I appreciate your
Program
And your time and talent
On the other side of the pond
During this cold
Day
You warmed my heart and soul
With your music of old

Thx
And
God Bless

[heidigusset]

Thank you for the wonderful Advent music and the church by the cliffs was mystical and a precious symbol of faith standing the test of time - firm and strong against the gales of time.

[garya]

One line of my ancestry came from the neighboring village of Puddletown, which indeed was once called Piddletown. The old parish registers, as well as the first English census of 1841, all clearly show the spelling of Piddletown. Later census records of the 1800s show the current spelling of Puddletown, so the legend seems correct. Affpuddle and St Lawrence are both beautiful and the St. Aldhelm's chapel above the English Channel is truly unique. Thanks for anther great Sunday journey and learning experience.

[alanstewart]

I think so many people love hearing and listening to you, beside the luxurious hair, is that you are a young man who is most obviously, alive!

[JulieAnne-]

Oh, I love this! AffPuddle, the country walk and sublime music with Ben! My day is made!💖

[catherinechiara]

Ben, your videos are always spectacular!!! The music, the video photography, the poetry, the architecture and the visits to these beautiful and very unique churches qualifies you as a genuine Renaissance man! Praying for your continued success. Happy Advent to you and to all your channel family. 🙏

[midgerhys]

Until 1536 the UK had the largest organized Church outside of Italy, with over 800 religious houses alone. Walsingham, in Norfolk, was the fourth most frequently visited pilgrimage destination after Rome, Jerusalem and Santiago de Compostella. England is known as 'Mary's dowry' in the old sense of the word dowry (i.e. money left to a widow by her late husband for her upkeep). There is a prophecy that, in the end times, a great northern hemisphere nation will reconvert to Catholicism and help to bring about the end of the great conflict part of the end-times chastisement written about in the book of Revelation. The UK is the strongest contender for that nation.

[oldtimemachines]

An introvert, yet you're comfortable making videos of yourself that thousands will see. My version of introversion is less fortunate since it's combined with perfectionism, about which you had some wise words I've never been able to implement. I'm a pretty good player of the guitar and mandolin when alone, but playing out is difficult and recording my playing is no less so — unless I'm improvising harmony to someone's else's melody. Then creativity emerges and nervousness evaporates. You've found a way to build an original niche profession that allows you to be yourself and at the same time, benefits the world. Most remarkable.

[steverabb]

A weekly Sunday afternoon treat, a glass of wine and a video by Ben. I love these videos as they bring back the memories of my days as church organist years ago playing a 1910 two manual tracker organ which had its own set of idiosyncrasies. A bit of sadness as well since the organ has been silenced by the closing of the church 2 years ago. Just hearing the stop names of Dulciana, Clarabella and Open Diapason, I instantly recognize their location in the row of stops that were once before me and reminding me how much I miss those days. Your composition of 'Church Bells' on the synthesizer was pure magic filling in the absence of a church organ. Pure genius.

[fireflyrobert]

I find Ben and his videos quite adorable. I can’t get enough.

[jdcorganist]

Organist here… the larger instruments are easier to play because of the plethora of tonal resources. The smaller village churches are harder to play, but more rewarding when it is a small, well-thought-out, artistic specification and design. I’ve also played smaller organs that were difficult to play because the voicing was so delicate and barely audible in the church, especially over the noise of the blower.

Plus, the smaller instrument’s condition is also plays a big part of their usability. If the action is not in good shape, it will be harder to play.

I just installed a brand new Rodgers 3m drawknob organ for my small church I play and it truly is a fun instrument to play. But the 1800’s mechanical instruments are also fun IF you let them tell you what they want to play.

[jenni.]

These images of great churches and music and scenery is outstanding and to walk in England's greenery is awe inspiring and it's a freedom to be for all to discover.A discovery like a pilgrim's way of life to walk to a Holy Place.Thankyou Ben

[rockross]

Dear Ben, I am hypnotized by your aesthetics, your aspirations, your astonishing talent and your kind face... Excelsior!