40 years of organ music: Henning's big anniversary celebrated in Maulburg!

40 years of organ music: Henning's big anniversary celebrated in Maulburg!

Music connects people, and in Maulburg someone has been ensuring that the sounds of the organ do not fall silent during church services for four decades. Henning, the long-time organist at St. Johannes Church, recently celebrated his impressive anniversary. Born in Maulburg, he began his musical journey at the age of 16 when he was allowed to learn to play the organ under the guidance of district cantor Matthias Schneider. He continued his musical training with Schneider as well as his successor Martin Winkler, which significantly influenced his individual style. Henning is not only known for his technical expertise, but also for the fact that he brings speed and enthusiasm to the church with his playing, as Stefan Mazur, the elder of the parish, praises.

The anniversary service to mark his 40 years as organist was naturally a highlight. It began solemnly with a prelude and a fugue in G minor by Dietrich Buxtehude and was characterized by the chosen theme of “Joy”. Pastor Bärbel Wassmer discussed the dimensions of joy and suffering and referred to the hymn book song “Jesu meine Freude” from 1653. However, Henning also surprised those present with a modern selection of songs, including the popular “Thank you for this good morning” by Martin Gotthard Schneider.

The role of the organist

The profession of an organist is diverse. As Wikipedia describes, organists play both liturgical music and solo organ literature while accompanying singers or instrumentalists. Many of them also care about the musical direction of choirs and rehearsals. In the rural area where Henning works, a distinction is often made between the tasks of an organist and a pianist. Nevertheless, the pipe organ remains a central element in Western Christian worship, and it is the commitment of experienced organists that brings a unique sound experience to church services.

The importance of the organ should not be underestimated, as it not only has a simple accompaniment function, but also shapes the musical atmosphere of an entire service. Today, many church musicians, like Henning, are also faced with the challenge of asserting themselves against modern electronic instruments and the increased use of digital organs, which are often used in church music.

Anniversary and outlook

Henning's commitment to St. Johannes Church is a prime example of consistency and passion in church music. His career shows how important it is to preserve traditions while at the same time being open to new musical influences. The organ that Henning plays, from 1979 and equipped with two manuals, a pedal and 13 registers, offers him the perfect setting for this. During the celebrations surrounding his anniversary, he demonstrated that the organ is more than just an instrument; it is a link between the past, present and future of church music.

In a world in which people are increasingly connected to one another online, there are also digital platforms such as Chatroom2000, which act as an opportunity to exchange ideas about hobbies and interests. The return to the roots, as practiced by Henning, could play an important role in today's communication culture.