Dobrich: A Bulgarian Odyssey
Meyer, 2025
8/10
Listen to Dobrich: A Bulgarian Odyssey
The organist and esteemed interpreter of classical sounds, Gail Archer, spotlights 9 works of contemporary organ sounds from Eastern Europe.
“Erendira”, by Sabin Levi, opens with the fluid and firm keys engaging us with Archer’s intricate delivery, and “Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen” follows with a lower register that illuminates Velislav Zaimov’s vision.
In the middle, Neva Krysteva’s “Victmae Paschali Laudes” offers bright and melodic moments in a rich, atmospheric delivery, while “Evharistia” comes with a distinctly harmonic appeal via Radosveta Hurkova’s songwriting.
Arriving close to the end, “Prelude and Toccata”, Kiril Lambov’s lone organ piece, is the album’s best thanks to the rhythmic gestures and changing metrics, and Zaimov’s “O Heiland, reiss die Himmel auf” exits with the Lutheran chorale melodies front and center thanks to Archer’s meticulous fingers.
Archer illuminates often overlooked Bulgarian composers here, and it’s a highly technical and globally embraceable journey into her sonic approach.
Travels well with: Kinan Azmeh CityBand- Live In Berlin; Ruckus & Keir GoGwilt- The Edinburgh Rollick