Manz Harmonizations for Lent & Easter
As I was filing away some of the Lenten and Easter music, I realized Paul Manz’s Varied Hymn Accompaniments for Lent and Easter got a lot of use this year. I particularly appreciate that these collections are accessible for organist and congregation alike.
+ Paul Manz + A Retrospective
I remember the first time I heard of Paul Manz. My organ mentor was passing the torch, so to speak, and she passed along her sheet music to me. Included in that collection were my introductions to Burkhardt, Behnke, and of course Paul Manz. Of all the books, the several Concordia Manz editions were the most ragged with detached covers from frequent use. She said, something like “get to know these, you will love them.” And so the rest is history. Like many organists, Manz has become a staple of my core repertoire.
Paul Manz at 90
Paul Manz is turning 90 in May and MorningStar Music is having a 20% off sale during April and May 2009 on ALL Paul Manz items – choral & organ music, CDs, and the recent biography “The Journey Was Chosen”. This is a great opportunity to fill in the gaps in your sheet music collection. You can read more by downloading their April newsletter.
Fourth Sunday in Advent
The Fourth Sunday in Advent, especially if we are in Series B of the lectionary, is a Sunday that has special memories for me. Nine years ago my dad was planning to preach a sermon on the Gospel text Luke 1:26-38. But God had different plans for him on that Fourth Sunday in Advent. God was calling him home to be with Him.
The sermon was never preached, although it had been written. Over the years I’ve read and reread that sermon. This sermon wasn’t intended to be a “farewell”. Yet, it has provided me comfort then, as it still does today.
Reflections on a Christmas Chorale
Some of us are fortunate to live close to a college or university that provides opportunities to hear some good sacred music. This Saturday evening I attended Concordia University’s (in Portland, OR) Christmas Chorale – A Service of Lessons and Carols.
One thing I appreciated about this service was that it was a worship service – not solely a concert. The choral, handbell, and wind ensemble pieces fit into and reflected on the lessons that were read. I think that’s a lesson the music folk in congregations need to remember – how does this relate to the service? We shouldn’t be choosing music just because it’s “fun” or sounds good.
Paul Manz – A Life Revealed
If you are a parish organist, you are probably familiar with the organ music of Paul Manz. If you are not a parish organist, you are unknowingly aware of Paul Manz via your organist who probably has used his hymn improvisations in worship services.
When Paul Manz was asked to give one piece of advice to someone venturing into church music, he said, “Love the people you have been called to serve.” These are good words for any church musician.
Walter E. Buszin – Wise Counsel for Today
I was unfamiliar with the name Walter Buszin until the summer of 2007 when I discovered that one of the most enduring choral collections of the 20th century – 101 Chorales Harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach – was edited by Buszin. Prior to this, I had a dear friend from church who had told me on a number of occasions about a treasured book from her younger choral years – a book of Bach chorales. She evidently was talking of the Buszin edition.
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