Gail Archer is presenting “An American Idyll”—a five-concert series featuring American music at various locations in New York City.
Performing organ music by 20th- and 21st-century American composers, Archer will premiere two commissioned works: preludes on He Leadeth me! O Blessed Tho’t!, Be Thou My Vision, and Eternal Father, Strong to Save by Columbia alumnus Hayes Biggs; and a new work by Pulitzer-prize finalist and Vassar College professor Harold Meltzer.
Known for championing contemporary organ music by female composers, Archer will also feature works by Joan Tower, Judith Lang Zaimont, Pamela Decker, Claire Shore, Libby Larsen, Emma Lou Diemer, and Kim D. Sherman.
The schedule: January 25, St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University; February 11, St. Agnes Catholic Church; March 23, St. Francis Xavier Church; April 27, Rutgers Presbyterian Church; May 23, Central Synagogue.
Gail Archer has presented recital series honoring composer anniversaries in New York City: Liszt, Bach, Mendelssohn, and Messiaen. Her recordings include Franz Liszt: A Hungarian Rhapsody; Bach, the Transcendent Genius; An American Idyll; A Mystic in the Making on Meyer-Media LLC, and The Orpheus of Amsterdam: Sweelinck and his Pupils on CALA Records, London.
Archer is college organist at Vassar College, and director of the music program at Barnard College, Columbia University, where she conducts the Barnard-Columbia Chorus. She serves as director of the artist and young organ artist recitals at NYC’s historic Central Synagogue. For information:
www.gailarcher.com.
