Background
Frederic Archer was born on June 16, 1838 in Oxford, England. He as the only child of Martha (Costa) and James Archer, clergyman and professor of Latin at Magdalen College, Oxford.
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Frederic Archer
Edit ProfileEducation
Archer became a chorister at All Saints' Church, London, at the age of nine. Five years later he returned to Oxford as organist of St. Clement's Church and Merton College. His musical education was continued in Oxford, London, and Leipzig.
Career
His career as an organ recitalist began with engagements at the Panopticon and the Alexandra Palace, London; at the latter he gave over 2, 000 recitals. Meanwhile he became active as church organist, choral conductor, and lecturer. In 1878-1780 he conducted the Glasgow Select Choir, for which he composed and edited a series of part-songs. He was also conductor of the Blanche Cole Opera Company.
His first trip to America was in 1881, and one of the results was his engagement as organist at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, where Henry Ward Beecher was pastor. Later he removed to the Church of the Incarnation, New York, thence to Boston, where he conducted the Boston Oratorio Society (1887-1888).
In 1885 he founded, and for a time edited a musical paper, The Keynote. From Boston he went to Chicago, where he became organist at St. James Roman Catholic Church, and was active in musical projects connected with the World's Fair. He left Chicago to become organist and director of music at Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, where he was engaged from 1895 to his death, giving two organ recitals weekly in the Music Hall, and officiating (1896-1898) as conductor of the Pittsburgh Orchestra. Archer was one of the first players to popularize the organ recital in America.
His wide experience in England with giving recitals before large audiences and with ordinary concert surroundings was in strong contrast to the severe and churchly associations of the average American organ recital fifty years ago.
His first program at Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, was typical of the player. It contained Merkel's second Sonata, a Bach Toccata and Fugue, Lemmen's Storm Fantasy, the Air and variations from Moszkowski's first orchestral suite, Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette (written for one of Archer's London orchestral concerts), and Meyerbeer's overture Star of the North, with smaller pieces. Such programs he played throughout this country and Canada on his many and extended tours.
This type of program, as well as its performance, helped greatly in awakening popular appreciation of organ recitals.
Archer died of cancer at his home in the East End of Pittsburgh on October 22 , 1901.
Achievements
Personality
He was a man of great energy and constant activity.
Of more than ordinary stature, and of commanding appearance, Archer was favored by nature for organ playing. He had fingers of unusual length, and in consequence could achieve organ effects impossible for normal hands. A real virtuoso, his manipulation of the instrument was masterly, and his registration notable for its variety and brilliance. He was a remarkable sight reader, sometimes playing in recital from orchestral scores.
Connections
He was married in 1859 to Harriet Rothschild, a niece of Baron Alfred de Rothschild of England.
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Born
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Died
January 22, 1901 (aged 62) -
Resting place
Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States -
Nationality
American