The Instrument of God

No matter what your views on classical music or religion it is hard to deny that these church organs are impressive sights. I personally am not a big fan of the organ (in fact it is probably one of my least favourite instruments because of the sound it makes) but that doesn’t stop me appreciating it from an aesthetic standpoint. They are always so intricately made with wonderful carvings and patterns. This is once again from Bath Abbey and it dominates the centre entirely, with a raised platform of white stone.

The night before I took this picture I was walking back from a bar where I had met up with the other guys from the course of treatment I was having and past this place. It was a rather cold and damp night (it was drizzling a lot) but as I past I heard this organ playing. What I eventually found out was that the organist was tuning it and practicing’s (this was at about 10pm so he was up pretty late for it!). The main thing I remember was the eerie, faint sound coming from the abbey, almost beyond hearing, just a strange and oddly mystical noise on that still and mostly quite night. It was really moving and a stood and listened to it for 10 minutes or so before the cold got to me and I hurried back to my hotel. It was certainly a memorable experience that’s for sure and has stuck with me ever since.

Just a little story to go along with the picture. I always like having something like that in photography. I feel that it brings the picture to life and humanises it more. Anyway, hope you like it. Comments and such are always welcome! n____n