Harpland
4 July @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
“A haunting blend of Gaelic melodies and timeless electronica soundscapes that get right inside your head, and your heart.” Mark Kermode
“Immaculate playing” BBC Music Magazine
Internationally renowned harp and electronica duo FitkinWall follow threads of migration, loss and longing in their new show.
Ruth Wall’s explorations into Gaelic song, fiddle and pipe tunes and the history of the Scottish Highlands where she grew up have a particular focus on migration and the Highland Clearances. Graham Fitkin has created enigmatic and mesmerising new versions of these tunes for Ruth’s three harps – the sitar-like Renaissance bray harp, the beautiful medieval Gaelic wire harp (clàrsach) and the Scottish lever harp. Ruth’s passion for the highly ornamented Scottish pibroch piping technique informs her playing style and inspires the sound world of this fascinating and unique concert. In this show FitkinWall combine ancient aural sources with modern technology, conjuring up captivating and intricate patterns on these unique instruments. The performance will feature a beautiful choreographed light installation by acclaimed light artist Peter Freeman.
FitkinWall have performed around the world – from the Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms, Aldeburgh and Glastonbury Festivals to Spiral Hall Tokyo, Aula Magna Rome and tours in Iceland, Sweden and Italy.
“Virtuosic” The Guardian
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Harpist Ruth Wall was brought up in Sutherland, immersed in the songs and tunes of the Scottish Highlands. She has performed on her many ancient and modern harps on stages around the world – Sydney Opera House, Berlin Philharmonic, Gucci 75th celebrations in Rome and Florence, Radio City New York, and the London Olympic Celebrations. Ruth has featured as a soloist with the London Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra and toured extensively with Goldfrapp, The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, Kathryn Tickell, Ockham’s Razor. She works with artists and composers including Adrian Utley, Kneehigh Theatre, Saconni Quartet, Jeremy Holland Smith and Clint Mansell.
Composer Graham Fitkin has worked with Yo-Yo Ma, Kathryn Stott, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, New York City Ballet. He has won three BASCA composer awards and the Royal Philharmonic Society Composer Award 2015.
