Cathedral Arts recital features New York organist

New York–based international concert organist and recording artist Gail Archer will play works ranging from Baroque to contemporary on the Casavant organ at St. Mary of the Lake Church in Gary.

"Ascent," by composer Joan Tower, is one of the pieces Archer will play in her series of five American Idyll concerts. The title suggests "a peaceful time in the country," she said. Her programs feature "unusual gems" by such familiar composers as Aaron Copland, Roger Sessions and Walter Piston as well as several female composers.

"Ascent" makes use of gradually rising figures on the keyboard, rising dynamics, wonderfully jagged, spikey rhythms and plenty of color.

"The music suggests a playful time but requires great skill and agility," Archer said.

Baroque sonorities come to life in the opening sectional prelude by virtuoso organist Dietrich Buxtehude, whom the young J.S. Bach traveled more than 200 miles on foot to hear. The prelude "explores sounds of Renaissance consorts, like strings, woodwinds and brass," Archer said. Bach's great Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Dorian) will exploit strengths of St. Mary of the Lake's instrument.

Two contrasting pieces by Robert Schumann were originally written for pedal piano, a piano with an organ pedal keyboard. One depicts airy flights of fantasy; the other tells its story with big, lush, warm, romantic chords, Archer said.

A short piece by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Felix' gifted sister, and Liszt's rousing prelude and fugue on the musical spelling of Bach complete the program.

Archer is organist at Vassar College and director of the music program at Barnard College, Columbia University where she conducts the Barnard–Columbia Chorus.

Her CDs will be available for purchase after the concert.