Transcripts

SPEAKER: For Lutherans, he was known as the Dean of church musicians. Composer and organist Paul Manz has died. His music and arrangements have been favorites of church musicians and choir members for decades. He was 90 years old.

Manz served on the music faculties of Concordia College, the U of M, and Macalester College. But he's likely as well known for leading the musical life at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for a generation. Michael Barone is the host of the national program Pipedreams. He's featured Paul Manz's work on a program which is now posted online at pipedreams.org. Michael, welcome.

MICHAEL BARONE: Thank you.

SPEAKER: So how important do you think Paul Manz was to church music?

MICHAEL BARONE: Well, I'm not sure how you calculate these things. He composed several dozen choral works, published what must be hundreds of hymn tune improvisations, which organists of every denomination play, not just Lutherans. Choirs sing his songs. He preached with harmony and counterpoint. He had a marvelous way of underlining the meaning of a text of a hymn with evocative chord progressions or a particular organ registration. And could infuse the mundane experience of singing a hymn with a sense of wonder and surprise and understanding.

When he played for a congregation, it wasn't a matter simply of going through a familiar tune and text-- it was getting to the heart of it. Knowing it in its best sense. Living it.

SPEAKER: How widely, on any given Sunday morning, how widely performed is his music beyond this region?

MICHAEL BARONE: I think it is almost universally applied. Paul created music that was very usable, and while its style demonstrably is of our time and with a very confident American flavor. It always is approachable music. Some of it is technically demanding for organists, and I can testify that a piece that he's dedicated to me is right at the edge of my capability.

And I'm not sure whether I'll ever get to play it quite as he would wish I would. Paul was a virtuoso, after all. And I imagine that Protestant church organists and not only Lutherans, but also Catholics too, probably have at least one or two of his books sitting on their console ready for use on a Sunday.

SPEAKER: Michael Barone, thank you very much for some remembrances of organist and composer church musician Paul Manz. I appreciate it.

MICHAEL BARONE: I'm very happy to have been able to share.

SPEAKER: Paul Manz died Wednesday night. He was 90 years old. He'll be remembered all day Monday at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. His music will be played on the organ every hour starting at 9:00 AM. Now, Michael Barone has a tribute page set up for Paul Manz at pipedreams.org.