1965 Schlicker organ - Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Probably one of the best and articulate organist I have heard. His love of the organ and music shines like a beacon in the dark. Mount Olive is bless to have this master of the organ.

The torch is passed to David Cherwein and Paul Manz is smiling from on high and haunting the pedal-board-- Paul Manz represented a whole tradition of Lutheran music developing out of the German Lutheran tradition. He was of course a brilliant organist and composer-- but also a real "theologian" of keys, pedals, and composition. His wife Ruth ably assisted in texts for choral works and their Advent anthem "Even so Lord quickly come" has become a choral standard. What both Manz and Cherwein represent is deeply rooted in theology, liturgy, hymnody as foundations of a living heritage. I grew up in a clergy family and for a time had a great Schlicker for early explorations. Mount Olive is so blessed with this Schlicker/Manz opus. As a young singer just out of Northwestern I'll never forget getting to intone "This is the feast..." with Paul playing and a convention congregation of more than a 1000 responding (and sending goosebumps). That occasion was a convention of those who bravely left the historic German Lutheran synod which took a sharp (very sharp) conservative turn. But music and liturgy fly above and beyond it all, and Paul Manz lives on and God smiles (and sometimes shakes his head.) The incredible tradition evidenced by Manz and Cherwein sings on and depends on talent, creativity, and education ----also education of congregations. Sadly that is lacking in congregations and seminaries and all are diminished in the process. God bless you David Cherwein and light perpetual is surely shining on Paul Manz as he improvises with the music of the spheres.

This organ is legend. I had a chance to take it for a spin a few years ago. It's an absolutely fantastic instrument.

great organist, which are hard to find today,

Beautiful organ. What a lovely instrument to be able to play.

The 1' flute is one of my favorite stops, and David is correct - it is far too rare.

What a wonderful organ! I love the open positive behind the console! Inspired!

I spent a year as sexton for that church. Cleaning the sanctuary was one of my least favorite parts of the job, but it was sometimes a wonderful experience to clean when David, or people who would be filling in for him, would be in there practicing. One of my favorite memories was when we celebrated the 50th anniversary of that organ's installation, we had John Schwandt play for a re-creation of the service done when the organ was installed. Something else special is someone who is becoming a well-loved member of the congregation, who sometimes fills in for David, is a student of his. She has studied with David who has studied with Paul Manz. I think I've told both David and his student that I'd love to see her take over as cantor when he retires. There's so much other wonderful information that I could add about this church. This organ and the music are only a tiny part of what makes it such a special church to go to.

I really enjoyed Mr Cherwein's very interesting ideas of registration, which makes this beautiful organ even more versatile.

So wonderful to hear. So many lovely sounds on this organ. And all kudos for David carrying on the Mainz tradition.

This was utterly delightful! I wish I were in a position to hear Mr. Cherwein more often. Thank you for a lovely time. Best to you from Georgia!

Paul Manz is my favorite modern composer. I have many LPs of him playing this organ. Thanks for reviewing this instrument.

It will be a great learning experience to explain pipe organs. I can only listen to it once in a while, but I'm always looking forward to it.

I agree with what he said about gap registrations! In my experience, at least, they are so much fun to play with, especially when you have something like a 1’ available.

I grew up hearing and playing Aeolian-Skinners, E. M. Skinners and really had little appreciation for the Continental European classic or baroque sound, especially from the '60s. But I must admit this Schlicker has greatly impressed me. Beautiful voice color and full organ is complete from top to bottom...look who designed it. And, of course, the acoustics were a welcomed surprise. My guess is there's not a piece of carpet or pew cushion anywhere in the church. lovely demonstration. I'll will think more kindly of Schlicker Organ Co. from now on.

Lutherans love their Schlickers!

WONDERFUL video! Utterly superb playing, excellent interview and terrific demonstration. Thank you for this, instant subscriber!

Thanks, David! Thank you as well for your compositions. My friend in Colorado introduced me to several of them.

The design of this work of art is beautiful and powerful I would love to hear that opened up all the way

Nancy and I were married in Mt Olivet Aug 14, 1971. Her home town. And I was thrilled about the pipe organ. At the time I didn;t realize it was that "new". I'd like to return and listen to the organ maybe on our 50th Anniversary! Soli Deo gloria

This is a fantastically wonderful organ and video! The organist is probably one of the most entertaining you've had, not just with talent but he is very funny. 🙂

I never seen a pipe chamber so clean they must go in and dust that every week my Lord is that clean it’s beautiful that truly is a work of art

WOW......blown away

a superb demo! thanks for sharing and all your work.

just great!! always wondered why Paul Manz played this so well!! my aunt and family sang in his choir many years ago; heard him play in Denver Colorado many years ago also; was a big influence on my life as Organist and a musician as well; live in Nashville Tennessee would love to play with this instrument someday And you could come and play with the organ at Edgefield Baptist..

Thanks for this ! I had the privilege of attending on of Paul Manz's Hymn Festivals, and hearing him play this instrument.

Very impressive. Such a beautiful instrument.

Please post another video of this AWESOME instrument,and please balance the sound levels...The majesty of this organ begs to be heard!!!!

I remember attending a Eucharist service during the Easter season when Paul Mainz was organist-cantor. Because it was the Easter season Mr. Manz improvised a communion meditation - using only the pedals! I will never forget that those moments. That was many years ago, but my heart wildly palpitated then does so every time I remember it!

I played a new (1981) 3-manual Schlicker for many years at my church job in Birmingham, AL which I helped design. During the nearly 20 years I played it, I never had the slightest mechanical problems with it, and never tired of playing/hearing it... lovely wooden keyboards of ahorn and palisander, with "Tracker Touch." Schlickers are such very well-crafted, sturdy instruments - musical *work horses,* to be sure - with a bright, fresh and satisfying tone. Lots of lovely "chiff."

Amazing

So nice to see an organist that knows how to demonstrate an organ! The organ is a bit vertical but well balanced. Pretty sure John Decamp was one of the voicers. Miss you John!

wonderful organist. i sure wish i knew the the arr: of the "Savior of the Nations Come". that really got my attention and my blood circulating. loved it---the rhythm in the right hand. sound of the organ wasn't too bad either!

33:49 The drive on the Zimbelstern was adapted from the windshield wiper motor from a Crown school bus with engine by International Harvester. 35:11 The Flying Walendo Brothers lower a technician down on a suspension cable to tune the pipes on back wall in this area.

How nice to hear this instrument which Paul Manz designed and used to inspire registrations for his organ works. I am surprised that the action is as noisy as it is at the console. Well, it is 50+ years old. Thank you David for the organ tour.

I have a few of Paul Manz records. Wonderful to listen to.

Thanks for documenting this.

Awesome!

in the Netherlands and North Germany you have amazing andient Church Organs they are the best

Wonderful presentation, thank you!

I love this series, but would ask that you please level up the audio in the editing phase. In the final mix, the organ should not be lower than the vocals, because it requires viewers to keep adjusting their volume control up and down. Please use something like Audacity to make the audio level constant before uploading the videos. Thanks. 👍

Beautiful sound

I love that 1 foot and 32 foot together

Have them play 'A mighty fortress is our God'.

Dr. Clair A. Johannsen, of Trinity Lutheran, Hagerstown, MD, had installed the very first non-Moller - a Schantz - here, only blocks from the now defunct Moller factory. While it is very nice and, I think, superior to what Moller would have done, it truly pales in comparison to your instrument. The whole blend of organ, architecture and stained glass is a Glory to God. Would love to know who created those incredible windows. Dr. Johannsen, died 2 years ago and is buried in Minnesota, in his family town.

Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle has a Schlicker organ of just about the same vintage.

Specification: I. POSITIV 8 Gedackt 4 Rohrfloete 2 Principal 1 1/3 Klein Nasat 1 Siffloete Scharf III-IV 8 Krummhorn Tremolo 16 Trompeta Real GT 8 Trompeta Real Gt 4 Trompeta Real II. GREAT 16 Pommer 8 Principal 8 Spitzfloete 4 Octave 4 Hohlfloete 2 Octave Mixture IV-VI 8 Trumpet PED 16 Trompeta Real 8 Trompeta Real 4 Trompeta Real Chimes III. SWELL 8 Rohrfloete 8 Salicional 8 Voix Celeste 8 Dolce 8 Dolce Celeste 4 Principal 4 Koppelfloete 2 2/3 Nasat 2 Nachthorn 1 3/5 Terz Mixture IV-V 16 Fagott 8 Schalmey 4 Clarion Tremolo ANTIPHONAL 8 Rohrgedackt 4 Principal 2 Gemshorn Mixture II-III PEDAL 32 Resultant 16 Principal 16 Subbass 16 Pommer GT 8 Octave 8 Pommer GT 4 Choralbass 4 Pommer GT 2 Blockfloete Mixture IV 32 Contra-Fagott 16 Posaune 16 Fagott SW 8 Trompeta Real GT 8 Trumpet 4 Clarion SW Zimbelstern (Toe Stud) ANTIPHONAL PEDAL 16 Gedacktbass 8 Gedackt

This instrument is very similar to the organ where I went to college in Seguin, Texas at Texas Lutheran. It is a slightly smaller tracker instrument but has much of the same sounds since it is a Schlicker. That room in Seguin does benefit from being much more live, though it is a smaller chapel than Mt. Olivet.

Did anyone else get a small lump in their throat when they saw Dr. Manz's organ shoes hanging in the great division?

At 30:10, you queried about the 16' pedal reeds. Without hearing them in person or watching them being played (with ear protectors, of course!), my first guess is they might be some kind of diaphonic reed. Something like a muted diaphone, perhaps? A very nice demonstration. Thank you!

maestrro sei bravissimo !!!!!!!!!

Sorry but why do you constantly level down between the talking? Kind of weird compressor effect. Very disturbing.

Lovely video, very informative!

I always enjoy your organ videos. Thank you. But I have a question: why does the audio cut back/weaken whenever the organ is played, and then resumes when the talking starts again? I always feel as though I'm missing something. 🤔

I like the sound, but it bothers me to hear a click every key played.

What lens did you use to film the innards of the organ? I had a brief sense of motion sickness. This organ sounds wonderful. Thanks for creating this video of it.

interesting video: However, you have some major issues with your audio. I suggest you guys listen to your video on RU-vid and you'll hear the problems: Whom ever set up your recorder has the mic auto-level turned on, or something is randomly lowering then restoring your recording levels. The mic issues really makes it hard to properly hear what the organ sounds like. One of the demos was totally lost because of it. Suggestion: If you're using stereo mics you need to place them strategically and set the recording level based on the loudest you expect to play the organ but also in a position that captures the rest at a reasonable level. But definitely disengage any mic auto-level when recording. If you must use an auto-level then you need to upgrade your recording equipment, otherwise it all sounds very spotty and amateurish.

25:28 - 26:15 Can someone give me details about the work played here based on Nun Komm' Der Heiden Heiland? Wow this was great listening. What a fantastic instrument. What beautiful sounds!

An effective full organ, which to my ears sounds like a juvenile but enthusiastic 'Rieger' - plenty of throaty reeds. Surprisingly for such a lofty 'room,' the acoustic is quite restrained and a bit flat. The action is at times noisy, particularly during the softer passages.

I service several Schlickers. None are offensive, none exciting. None are in reverbarant rooms. The mixture on the Great is fairly easy on the ears to tune. The Swell mixtures are a waste of space, as are the reeds. On the whole the tuning is stable.

I enjoy the last composition that was played by David. Where can I find a copy?

Quite a large organ.... But some how the sound not so appealing.....maybe the room...

What is the name of that 32' Reed in the pedal?

Also, 11:33-11:51 is this an arrangement of Praise to the Lord/Lobet Den Herren? Any details also appreciated.

Is Mount Olive an Evangelical Lutheran church?

I hope you've been working on the sound balance since this video. The conversation is loud and clear than the parts with the stops being demonstrated. It's disappointing to not be able to hear the organ sounds as well as the conversation

great video. Compression destroyed he audio.....

I am disappointed that you DID NOT play Paul's transcription of Now Thank We All our God in this presentation..a grievous error..

lol whose organ shoes are dangling inside the case at 38:48?

Wow that almost sounds like an electric Oregon kind of like an ALLAN But then again this is my opinion and ALLAN sounds a lot like a pipe organ and they do try to imitate a pipe organ they do a great job

This has to be the QUIETEST Schlicker I've ever heard!---too bad.

Ahhrr! Stop rocking..!!

How can something be "very unique"?

Nice instrument.. but its a shame the room is rather dry.

Does this pipe organ have a motor/blower set? Or is it all electronic/digital?

There is no compressor or level changes. They are changing the microphones you hear. Which is the right decision. Get over it.

please "look" at the person who is talking to you..........

Laukhuff reed boots

Gunna pass on this organ, but enjoy!

Yea, way too big for that sanctuary. :)

Dead American room.

Unreal. An ELCA church, that's too bad for the organ. That organ should be in a better church than in one that promotes sin.