Gail Archer
“A powerful rendering of "Les Corps Glorieux"... she played with an agility that the music's coloristic and rhythmic demands.”
— The New York Times
“Gail Archer should be commended for her commitment to recording music from beyond the well-worn path...an experienced and prolific recording artist”
– American Organist Magazine
Gail Archer Brings Concert Organ Music Back to New York with a Rare, Fascinating Ukrainian Program
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"Gail Archer is not only a trailblazing organist and rescuer of undeservedly obscure repertoire. She’s also been responsible for some of the most entertaining and often rewardingly unorthodox organ music programming in this city in recent years."
- by Delarue of New York Music Daily
ABOUT - Gail Archer
Gail Archer is an international concert organist, recording artist, choral conductor and lecturer who draws attention to composer anniversaries or musical themes with her annual recital series in New York City. These include a Bulgarian Celebration, a Slavic Celebration, Max Reger, The Muse’s Voice, An American Idyll, Liszt, Bach, Mendelssohn and Messiaen.
Archer was the first American woman to play the complete works of Olivier Messiaen for the centennial of the composer’s birth in 2008: Time Out New York recognized the Messiaen cycle as “Best of 2008” in classical music and opera. Her previous recordings include Cantius, Chernivtsi, A Russian Journey, The Muse’s Voice, Franz Liszt: A Hungarian Rhapsody, Bach: The Transcendent Genius, an American Idyll, A Mystic in the Making (Meyer Media), and The Orpheus of Amsterdam: Sweelinck and his Pupils (CALA Records). Ms. Archer’s 2024 European tour took her to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, France, Italy and the island of Menorca. Highlights include the Frauenkirche, Dresden, Germany, the Cathedral of Saint Mary, Alghero, Sardegna, the Collegiale de Notre Dame, Mantes-la-Jolie, France, the Bragernes Kirke, Drammen, Norway and the Church of St Francis, Castelbuono, Sicily.
She is the founder of Musforum, an international network for women organists to promote and affirm their work. Ms. Archer is college organist at Vassar College, director of the music program at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she conducts the Barnard-Columbia Chorus and Chamber Singers and a faculty member of th Harriman Institute, Columbia University. She is artistic director of the artist and young artist organ recital series at historic Central Synagogue, New York City.
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For media inquiries, please contact: April Thibeault | AMT PR | april@amtpublicrelations.com
Gail Archer Discography
Dobrich - A Bulgarian Odyssey
Trailblazing Organist GAIL ARCHER Augments Her Eastern European Discography with Dobrich: A Bulgarian Odyssey
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"Gail Archer should be commended for her commitment to recording music from beyond the well-worn path...an experienced and prolific recording artist” – American Organist Magazine
Hailed as one of this era’s most adventurous interpreters of the classical organ repertoire, leading female organist Gail Archer celebrates the release of her 11th album: Dobrich: A Bulgarian Odyssey (Meyer Media tbr 04.11.25). Renowned for performing and recording undeservedly obscure and unorthodox organ music, Archer continues her sonic journey of Eastern European composers with rarely performed works by seven Bulgarian composers of the 20th century. During her worldwide tour in summer 2024, Archer recorded Dobrich in the Concert Hall in Dobrich, Bulgaria, on a 1979 Schuke organ of 36 stops and two manuals.
Archer’s recordings span the 17th-21st centuries, a festive discography that highlights her “superb musicianship, masterly technique and programming savvy (Gramophone).” Dobrich is the fourth installment of Archer’s collection of contemporary organ music from Eastern Europe: Cantius of Poland (2022), Chernivsti of Ukraine (2020), and A Russian Journey: Music of the Russian Five of Russia (2017).
“Organists and audiences in Western Europe and the United States are typically unfamiliar with the organ literature of Eastern Europe. There are clearly cultural, economic, and political obstacles to overcome in Bulgaria in order to firmly establish a well-supported organ culture in the country. I hope this recording gives listeners a sense of the remarkable creative spirit among contemporary composers in Bulgaria and is a step forward in the growth of interest in Bulgarian organ music.”
- GAIL ARCHER
This riveting collection expertly interpreted by Archer comprises a rich variety of nine works written from 1972 to present day.
The album opens with Erendira (1990) by the most important living composer of organ music in Bulgaria, Sabin Levi (b. 1970), who currently teaches at the National Academy of Music. Two other contemporary composers are rendering large contributions to the Bulgarian repertoire and can be heard on Dobrich: Velislav Zaimov (b. 1951) and his works based upon Lutheran chorale melodies: Es kommet ein Schiff, geladen, and O’Heiland, reis die Himmel auf; and the “matriarch” of the Bulgarian organ school, Neva Krysteva (b. 1946), and her improvisational piece Victimae paschali laudes based on the Gregorian chant which Archer says is the most technically demanding work on the album.
Additional pieces include: Two Frescoes, the only two organ works written by Evgeny Cheshmedjievb (1930-2009); Evharistia and Variations on the song “Polegnala e Tudora” by female composer Radosveta Hurkova (b. 1965); the only work for organ by Bozhivar Abrashev (1936-2006) Prelude for Organ; and Kiril Lambov’s (1955-2019) sole organ piece, Prelude and Toccata, notable for its demanding rhythm and constantly changing metric scheme.
Track Listings:
1. Erendira (1990) by Sabin Levi
2. Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen (1996) by Velislav Zaimov
3-4. Two Frescoes (1999) by Evgeny Cheshmedjiev
5. Victimae Paschali Laudes (2009) by Neva Krysteva
6. Evharistia by Radosveta Hurkova
7. Prelude for Organ (2003) by Bozhidar Abrashev
8. Variations on the song “Polegnala e Tudora” by Radosveta Hurkova
9-10. Prelude and Toccata (1985) by Kiril Lambov
11. O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf (2004) by Velislav Zaimov TRT: 54:37
This recording was made possible in part by the Harriman Institute, Columbia University and Vassar College
Cantius
Cantius
“superb musicianship, masterly technique and programming savvy…informs the American organist Gail Archer” – Gramophone
“a trailblazing organist and rescuer of undeservedly obscure repertoire. She’s also been responsible for some of the most entertaining and often rewardingly unorthodox organ music programming in recent years.” – New York Music Daily
“her renderings exemplify all of the musicality for which she's become known” – Textura
The latest release from organist Gail Archer encompassing composers from Poland. This album is the continuation of Ms. Archer's Eastern Europe music exploration. Focused on contemporary composers, this album was recorded at Saint John Cantius R.C. Church in Chicago IL. in July 2021. Here is a brief description from Gail: "In the summer of 2003, I traveled to Poland for the first time to play five concerts in Zakopane, Krasnobrod, Stalowa Wola, Lublin and Gdansk. Since then, I have visited Poland nearly every year to play organ recitals. The deep appreciation for the organ and its literature is influenced by the strong Roman Catholic faith traditions in the country. Worship services and recitals alike fill the churches to capacity and the audience is clearly knowledgeable about the music. Playing in Poland gives one a remarkable sense of satisfaction because the performer and the audience participate in the music-making with such a vital, engaged spirit. In choosing the repertoire for this CD, I aimed to include a living artist, a woman composer and examples of romantic and contemporary works. The result of the search was inspiring, and it is my hope that the listener will be surprised and refreshed by these voices from Eastern Europe."
Chernivtsi Contemporary Ukranian Organ Music
Chernivtsi Contemporary Ukranian Organ Music (2020)
“The performances by Gail Archer have heart and expressionist aplomb.” – Classical Modern Music
“Gail Archer’s recitals are so highly thought of and successful, for she creates a really rousing and exhilarating performance.” – Music Web International
“...one of this era’s most adventurous interpreters of the classical organ repertoire...” – NY Music Daily
The organ literature of Eastern Europe is little known in the West, both in Western Europe and the United States. Archer is dedicated to drawing attention to Ukrainian modern composers through ongoing research and performances.
“The richness and variety of the Ukrainian organ literature deserves international attention, as the beauty and vital creative spirit in this music inspires and rewards the performer as well as listener,” says GailArcher.“
"It is my sincere hope that many people will take the journey to Chernivtsi, and come away refreshed, renewed and evermore curious about the musical arts in Eastern Europe today.”
Archer has had along-time interest in the vibrant organ culture of Ukraine. Since2011, Archer has performed each year in Eastern Europe resulting in her election as a faculty member at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute. This was recorded in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, on a fine Riegger-Klossorgan in the city’s Armenian Catholic Church.
A Russian Journey
A Russian Journey 2017
“The superb musicianship, masterly technique and programming savvy in forming the American organist Gail Archer’s previous Meyer Media releases prevail throughout ‘A Russian Journey’.” – Gramophone
Join Gail Archer on her journey through Russian musical heritage and enjoy the Russian Five influence on each other’s creative output. Beautifully performed on the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Macon Georgia Schlicker Organ, enjoy this masterful presentation with your copy today!
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The Russian Five, group of five Russian composers—César Cui, Aleksandr Borodin, Mily Balakirev, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov—who in the 1860s banded together in an attempt to create a truly national school of Russian music, free of the stifling influence of Italian opera, German lieder, and other western European forms.
The Muse's Voice
The Muse's Voice 2014
"Known for her musical sensitivity and strong interpretations, Gail Archer again delivers with her latest CD, The Muse’s Voice." – Lori Ardovino, Journal of the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM)
Organist Gail Archer brings her spring 2013 five-concert series to a close by recording "The Muses Voice", A Celebration of International Women Composers.
Recorded in beginning of winter at New York City’s historical Central Synagogue, Gail brings an intimate perspective on these modern compositions by Women composers. Featured from her touring repertoire are select works by Nadia Boulanger, "Te Deum" by Jeanne Demessieux, "Ceremonies Suite" by Jennifer Higdon, and tour de force "The Everlasting Crown" by Judith Bingham.
This wonderful performance was beautifully voiced on the Gabe M. Wiener Memorial Organ and should be enjoyed for generations. Come celebrate this wonderful music with Gail by ordering your copy today.
J.S. Bach - The Transcendent Genius
J.S. Bach - The Transcendent Genius (2010)
Gail Archer and J.S. Bach, The Great Eighteen Chorales BWV 651-668.
Masterfully performed, beautifully recorded on the Fritts organ at Vassar College in celebration of Bach's 325th birthday, released February 2010. Join in the 325th birthday and order your copy today.
Franz Liszt - A Hungarian Rhapsody
Franz Liszt - A Hungarian Rhapsody (2011)
Gail Archer celebrates Franz Liszt's 200th birthday with an incredible recording of organ works and transcriptions.
This incredible performance took place on the Gress Miles' magnum opus at Vassar College Chapel. Highlights include "Pilgerchor aus Tannhäuser", "Präludium und Fuge über das Motiv B.A.C.H.", and "Fantasie & Fuge über den Choral - ad nos, ad salutarem undam".
Celebrate this milestone recording and birthday with us and get your copy today!
Mendelssohn in the Romantic Century
Mendelssohn in the Romantic Century (2010)
Gail Archer celebrates Franz Liszt's 200th birthday with an incredible recording of organ works and transcriptions.
This release was recorded live in concert at some of the most cherished synagogues of New York City, including Central Synagogue, Temple Emanu-El and St. Paul's Chapel,Columbia University, in a concert series celebrating the bicentennial of composer Felix Mendelssohn.
This incredible performance took place on the Gress Miles' magnum opus at Vassar College Chapel. Highlights include "Pilgerchor aus Tannhäuser", "Präludium und Fuge über das Motiv B.A.C.H.", and "Fantasie & Fuge über den Choral - ad nos, ad salutarem undam".
Celebrate this milestone recording and birthday with us and get your copy today!
A Mystic in the Making
A Mystic in the Making (2007)
This is Gail Archer's second solo album. A Mystic In The Making was recorded on the Aeolian-Skinner Pipe Organ at Columbia University’s St. Paul Chapel, produced and engineered by Grammy Award winner Andreas K. Meyer and features L’Ascension and Les Corps Glorieux by Olivier Messiaen.