Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

ca. 1827

Death

:

1905

 

Jean Baptiste Calkin was a British composer and organist who lived from 1827 to 1905. He was born in London, England, on March 16, 1827, to a family of musicians. His father, James Calkin, was a well-known organist and composer, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a singer. Jean Baptiste was the youngest of their six children, and he showed an early interest in music. Jean Baptiste Calkin began his musical education at an early age, studying piano and organ with his father. He also studied composition with William Sterndale Bennett, a prominent British composer and conductor. By the age of 14, Jean Baptiste had already composed several works, including a piano sonata and a string quartet. In 1844, at the age of 17, Jean Baptiste Calkin was appointed organist at St. Thomas's Church in Camden Town, London. He held this position for 12 years, during which time he composed a number of works for the church, including hymns, anthems, and organ pieces. He also became known as a skilled improviser, and his performances on the church's organ were highly regarded. In 1856, Jean Baptiste Calkin was appointed organist at Christ Church, Newgate Street, London. He held this position for 30 years, until his retirement in 1886. During this time, he composed a large number of works for the church, including hymns, anthems, and organ pieces. He also became known as a skilled choir trainer, and his choir at Christ Church was considered one of the best in London. Jean Baptiste Calkin's compositions were primarily in the Victorian hymn style, which was characterized by simple melodies and harmonies, and a focus on the text of the hymn. His most famous hymn tune is probably "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty," which he composed in 1872. This tune is still widely used today, and is often sung to the hymn text "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!" by Reginald Heber. In addition to his hymn tunes, Jean Baptiste Calkin composed a number of organ pieces, including preludes, fugues, and fantasias. His organ music was highly regarded in his time, and he was considered one of the leading organists of his day. His most famous organ work is probably his "Sonata in F minor," which he composed in 1872. Jean Baptiste Calkin was also a prolific writer of music theory and history. He wrote several books on music theory, including "The Organ: Its History and Construction" and "The Music of the Bible." He also wrote a number of articles on music history and criticism for various journals and magazines. Jean Baptiste Calkin was a respected member of the British musical community, and he was involved in several musical organizations. He was a member of the Royal Academy of Music, and he served as president of the Royal College of Organists from 1887 to 1890. He was also a member of the Musical Association, and he served as its president from 1891 to 1893. Jean Baptiste Calkin died on March 15, 1905, in London, England. He was 78 years old. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery in London. In conclusion, Jean Baptiste Calkin was a highly respected British composer and organist who made significant contributions to the Victorian hymn style and to the organ repertoire. His most famous hymn tune, "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty," is still widely used today, and his organ music is still performed and studied. He was also a prolific writer on music theory and history, and he was involved in several musical organizations.

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