Professor Gail Archer, renowned organist and director of the Barnard-Columbia Chorus and Chamber Choir, released her ninth album in August. Chernivtsi: Contemporary Ukrainian Organ Music features Archer performing six pieces by Ukrainian composers of the 19th to 21st century and was named for the church in which it was recorded.
The recordings were born out of Archer's long-time appreciation for Eastern-Europe's often forgotten organ pieces, and she hopes the album will garner more attention for performances and research dedicated to the subject. “It is my sincere hope that many people will take the journey to Chernivtsi, and come away refreshed, renewed and ever more curious about the musical arts in Eastern Europe today,” Archer says in the press release for her album.
To celebrate's the album's release, Archer will give a concert as part of the East River Concerts series at St. John Nepomucene Church on September 19, 2020. The performance is free to the public; the church is operating at 25% capacity and will also stream the concert on its Facebook page.
Download and listen to Archer's album here.