LEWISTON – Robert M. Caldwell will present a pre-Christmas Eve service recital at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, on the three-manual organ in United Baptist Church, 250 Main St., where he’s been organist since 1985.
The recital is designed to introduce the birth of Jesus in terms of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) by utilizing important hymns from Protestant history.
Throughout the program the congregation will be invited to sing verses from the related hymns.
Commencing the program with the Father, Caldwell has chosen excerpts from the “Sixth Organ Sonata” by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. Composed in his mid-30s, it uses the hymn-tune “Vater unser im Himmelreich” (“Our Father, Who art in Heaven”).
To portray the Son, Caldwell will use Johann Sebastian Bach solemn choral prelude setting to “Jesu, meine Freude” (“Jesus, my Joy”). The hymn is in a minor key, but very majestic.
To joyously give homage to the Holy Spirit, two hymn-tunes will be used. First is a setting of “In dulci jubilo” by Friedrich Wilhelm Zachau. This tune is familiar, thanks to the bright, dancing carol “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!” Caldwell concludes the organ program with a bright G major setting of “Allein Gott in der Hoeh’ sei Ehr'” (“To God Alone on High be Glory”) by Bach.
Bach composed numerous settings of “Allein Gott,” a cornerstone hymn of the Protestant Reformation. The setting Caldwell has chosen is straightforward, brief and uplifting, in a style not unlike that of Pachelbel. The melody of “Allein Gott ” depicts the song of the angels, with ascending cadences representing the ascension and disappearance of the angels.
During the Christmas Eve service, Caldwell will play four Austrian carols at the piano to enhance the lessons regarding the birth and the manger scene.
A native of Massachusetts, Caldwell studied and taught music for five years in Salzburg, Austria. This includes two years of study at the Mozarteum, accompanying six choruses. He also appeared at several area churches, especially as interim organist at the Franziskanerkirche and playing once at the cathedral.
He taught three years at the Salzburger Musikschulwerk where he was a resident coach and accompanist, and taught some piano students.
He subsequently earned his master’s degree in choral conducting from the New England Conservatory in Boston. He also holds a B.A. in mathematics from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts.
He was rehearsal and pit pianist for “The Phantom,” a stage production presented last January at Community Little Theatre in Auburn. In August, he’ll be chorus director and be at the piano for “The Scarlet Pimpernel” when it’s staged by Community Little Theatre at Lewiston Middle School.
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