Local Minnesotan and Hamline alum Steven C. Anderson (‘88), a pianist who has sold over two million records and performed with musicians such as Mannheim Steamroller and the London Symphony Strings, is set to perform an entirely free show in the historic Saint Paul Cathedral on Dec. 10. The songs performed will be primarily from his most recently released album of Christmas songs, “Christmas Beyond,” which he recorded last year within the Cathedral itself in a collaboration with Adi Yeshaya as the arranger and Lawrence Lawyer on organ. The songs themselves nod back to an older style of Christmas music.

“A lot of them are the more old world carols. It’s kind of a cool thing to reinterpret them in 2015, to share music being the universal language and timeless,” Anderson said.

Along with classic carols, Anderson plans to perform one of his original pieces along with a few songs accompanied by Lawyer on the organ, Yeshaya conducting and the Saint Cecilia and Saint Gregory Choristers of the Cathedral Choir. Anderson thought that having the youth choirs (ages 9-17) perform was a perfect choice for the holiday event.

“Kids and Christmas, you can’t go wrong!” Anderson said.

However, the songs aren’t what make the upcoming performance so unique, but the venue itself. Playing with a space like a church or cathedral has drastically different acoustics, which present a situation akin to playing an entirely new instrument. Anderson’s first learning experience with these kinds of acoustics occurred when he played at the Hamline Church in past years, which is where he found his introduction to acoustic spaces.

“It has an eight second reverb. You have to play with the acoustics, not against them. So, it subtly changes how you play,” Anderson said.

Anderson, who recorded many of the songs to be played in the same space last year, is excited to share that experience with all who come. In fact, the anticipation of the crowd that will attend is what he’s most looking forward to, both for the music and the Cathedral itself.

“To invite people to experience what I did when I got to record the Christmas album there [is what I’m looking forward to]; the sound, the feeling. It’s a sharing thing. The interaction of how you feel in the space and the people all coming together.”

For those interested in sharing the experience, the event is set for Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Free tickets can be obtained at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/steven-c-christmas-beyond-concert-tickets-18783592230.