Tag Archives: Paul Manz

+ Paul Manz + A Retrospective

MANZmemorialI 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.

This morning with wide eyes I read the e-mail from MorningStar Music that Paul Manz had entered into eternal glory on October 28, 2009 (MorningStar has more detailed information and Manz resources).  While I had never met Manz or ever heard him in person, he had, through his music on the organ rack and CDs, become a sort of close friend (and at times an irritating one at that!).  It was a friendship that I had to “grow into”.  There are still plenty of pieces awaiting further practice.

His organ works, primarily on hymn tunes, shows the careful interaction between text and tune.  Many of Manz’s works were composed to introduce hymns and reflect on the text — a very practical purpose.  Frank Senn, in an essay in the Manz biography, notes that “when Manz played a solo on a stanza, giving the congregation a rest especially on hymns with many stanzas, what he performed was practically an improvised poem” (158).  He was a leader of the people’s song.

Senn ends his essay with these words:

The responsibilities of the cantor as the leader of the people’s song has been seldom greater than it is today.  Paul Manz has shown the generations following him how to do this job.  May their tribe increase. (164)

In closing, I will let Manz speak for himself:

Thank you for the grace of singing with me across the years in good times and in bad, when our words have stuck in our throats and when our eyes have overflowed with joy. It has ever been a Song of Grace: ‘Love to the loveless shown that we might lovely be.’ I have just been the organist. Thank you for letting me play. (Noted in obituary by Scott Hyslop)

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.

If you order, make sure you use the code: MANZB20

In Singing the Faith: Living the Lutheran Music Heritage by the Good Shepherd Institute, the study guide says the following about Manz.

In a way that has not been surpassed in the late twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Manz improvised hymn introductions and accompaniments that underscored the meaning of the hymn texts, thus enlivening the proclamation of the Gospel in hymn singing at both liturgical services and in hymn festivals.  Manz published and recorded many such improvisations for the use of organists and for the listening pleasure of all who love hymns and organ music.  Younger generations of Lutheran composers and organists who have been inspired by Manz include (to name only a few) Jeffrey Blersch, Michael Burkhardt, David Cherwien, John Ferguson, Kevin Hildebrand, and Robert Hobby.

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.

As my dad reflected on the message the angel Gabriel gave to Mary, he wrote:

It is truly wonderful.  God would become flesh.  This “Son of the Most High” would deliver us from the power of sin, death, and the devil, and give to us a kingdom that is forever.  Though King Herod would try to kill this baby Jesus, he would live that he might suffer and die for the whole world.  May our hearts praise God as those of old did.  God be praised for giving us a Savior.

I think my dad would have gladly joined in on that Advent Sunday with these words of Paul & Ruth Manz.

Rejoice in heaven all ye that dwell therein, Rejoice on earth ye saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon, For Christ is coming soon!

E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, And night shall be no more; They need no light nor lamp nor sun, For Christ will be their All!

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.

Much like a traditional worship service, the music and texts spanned the centuries and different cultural backgrounds.  That is truly one of the blessings of sacred music — it is not limited to a certain time or place.  As time passes, certain pieces are carried forward as others are left aside.  Hopefully, the church becomes stronger as a result.

My favorite pieces of the evening were F. Melius Christiansen’s setting of Wake, Awake, for the Night is Flying and Paul Manz’s E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come. If you haven’t heard the Manz piece, take a few minutes to listen (and watch).