Sheet music by Manfred Schlenker

Manfred Schlenker grew up in a church musical environment and learned to play the organ and piano as a child. After graduating from high school in 1943/44, he completed a pre-semester in piano and clarinet and received counterpoint and composition lessons from Paul Höffer. After the Second World War and his return from Soviet captivity he studied composition at the Kirchenmusikschule Halle/Saale from 1950 to 1955 and became cantor of the student community. In 1956 he worked as cathedral cantor and church music director in Stendal and from 1975 as cathedral cantor and regional church music director in Greifswald, where he also worked as director of the then church music school in Greifswald and was engaged as director of the Bach Weeks. From 1988 he lived as a freelance artist in Stolpe and regularly demonstrated his skills in organ concerts. He has lived near Berlin since 1999.

Manfred Schlenker excelled as a composer especially in the field of choral music. He has composed oratorios, cantatas, choral songs, motets and psalm settings. His extensive catalogue of works also includes chamber music.