World renown organist Gail Archer to release latest CD recording "J.S. Bach - The Transcendent Genius" on Meyer Media LLC.

Meyer Media LLC is proud to announce the latest release from world renown organist Gail Archer. "The Transcendent Genius" includes J.S.Bach's "Great 18 Chorale Preludes -BWV 651-668", beautifully recorded on the Fritts organ of Vassar College, New York. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) January 26, 2010 - World renown organist Gail Archer kicks off her celebration of Bach's 325th birthday with a new recording of "The Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes" (BWV 651-668). Exquisitely performed on the Fritts organ of Vassar College, New York, Gail has once again transcended the genius of Bach's music for us to enjoy. Her beautiful interpretation and voicing of this unique instrument enlightens the listener to a depth of understanding very few musicians accomplish. As admitted in the linear notes, "..having sang these tunes as a young girl…they are as much a part of my cultural heritage as any heirloom that I might receive…", we are treated to a life time of study and soulful contemplation in Gail's performance.

Listening to this recording is like reading the personal diary of Ms. Archer. Not only is it a complete reflection of her, but also of her masterful accomplishment to communicate the emotional depth these chorales demand. Her devotion to the music is second to none, and these recordings are sure to be enjoyed and studied by listeners and scholars alike.

Ms. Archer's forth release with Meyer Media LLC, this new recording is the follow up to her enormously successful concert series "The Mendelssohn Cycle", which cumulated in a down load only release of select performances through out New York City. Her next world tour schedule celebrates Bach's birthday with performances of these Chorales as well as some of his most revered organ works. Producer Andreas Meyer explains, "we are proud to have such a gifted artist on our roster, and to be able to kick off her tour with such an amazing recording gratifies us completely. We could not have asked for a more appropriate and rare gift to offer her fans the chance to own these beautiful songs". The New York Times declared Gail Archer's performance on the Mendelssohn tour to be among the year's highlights, and we expect that this follow up season and recording will excel beyond that bar.

The Organ Chorale Preludes from the Leipzig Autograph, BWV 651-668, or "Great 18" by Johann Sebastian Bach are virtuosic settings of Lutheran chorale melodies that Bach knew from his earliest years. While the composer developed the final versions of the pieces in Leipzig between 1739-1742 and again from 1746-1747, the original chorale preludes were composed much earlier at Weimar, where Bach served as organist and chamber musician from 1708-1717. The chapel of Duke Wilhelm Ernst and his nephew, the co-regent, Duke Ernst August, was led by Johann Samuel Drese and his son Johann Wilhelm Drese. It is clear from the high salary Bach received when he was hired, and the raise to 200 florins three years later, that Bach was respected and valued by his employer.

The court chapel of the Wilhelmsberg, built in 1658, boasted a fine organ constructed that same year by the distinguished organ builder Ludwig Compenius of Erfurt. The organ was restored and enlarged just before Bach's arrival at court by Johann Conrad Weishaupt; a later record of 1737 states that the organ had 24 stops on two manuals with pedals. Bach's orbituary tells us that, "the pleasure His Grace [ Duke Ernst August ] took in his playing fired him with the desire to try every possible artistry in his treatment of the organ," and that the vast majority of the works for organ were composed at Weimar.

"The Transcendent Genius" can be purchased at Meyer Media's web site and at all concert locations. Their web site provides further detail and musical examples. You can also visit Gail Archer's web site for tour information and scheduled appearances. Download versions of all Gail Archer's music recorded with Meyer Media is available through your favorite internet music provider.

http://www.meyer-media.com

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