Ruth Wall, harpist

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?

So many people! My parents took me to hear all sorts of music, from the local pipe band to a variety of concerts. I was drawn to music and dancing very young, and had a go on a piano around the age of 3 or 4 and loved it from the start. I used to like reading through Mozart sonatas and Chopin around the age of 10. My piano teacher as a teenager, Kenneth Bews, who taught me so much about how to practise properly and listen, phrase and explore music.  Most importantly he encouraged me to be truly expressive.

I was very lucky to have a wonderful harp teacher, Moira MacIntosh, from the age of about 9 and was excited to meet Bill Taylor as an adult, who has a fascinating mind and plays early harps.  He was so encouraging as I started to learn early harps. I started looking into pibroch and ancient ways of playing and this has been a big influence on how I play.

Since then my husband Graham Fitkin has been a total inspiration and support, encouraging me to explore the harp world and new technology even more, as well as providing a constant source of rhythmic and harmonic excitement! 

I could go on all day about the wonderful people I have been lucky enough to play with, so many have inspired me, but to name a few… Fitkin Band (all 8!) Will Gregory/Goldfrapp, Kathryn Tickell and the Side, Rhodri Davies, Kathy Stott and the daring of Ockhams Razor.

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

It’s quite a precarious existence being a self employed musician playing new music, so sometimes it feels tempting to get a job with some security!  But then work comes in and opportunities arise to play with amazing people… so I feel very lucky.

Which performances/recordings are you most proud of? 

The FitkinWall album LOST and my album Three Harps of Christmas. The latest FitkinWall album Harpland is also shaping up to be top of the list now. 

I also particularly love performing with Fitkin Band, the energy of the 9 musicians playing so virtuosically is exhilarating. 

A particular performance I loved was at the Royal Albert Hall when I toured with Goldfrapp, such a stunning venue and atmosphere from the music, lighting and architecture.

Which particular works/composers do you think you performbest?

On the harp I love Graham’s highly complex rhythmic music, ancient music from Scotland (I return to bagpipe and fiddle sources for inspiration) and the impressionists – Debussy and Ravel in particular.

I love playing Bach on the piano.

What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?

I love to walk and jog and get up in the snowy mountains whenever I can. Also seeing my big and amazing family and close friends keeps me sane.  I get very inspired by wonderful performances of music and great theatre.

How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?

I like to learn new music, and explore very old techniques on my harps, so this leads me down some strange and interesting rabbit holes. It can take a lot of time deciding what to do next, and work out how to make a coherent concert or show. 

Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?

I love playing in a variety of venues – in Poland I played 4 organs at a Steve Reich festival with Will Gregory, Graham, and Ross Hughes. There was an incredible laser lighting display in the huge old factory Nowa Huta and thousands of mainly young people. Unforgettable.

What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’saudiences?

Education. More opportunities for all children and young people to play, experience and learn an instrument. This has to be available to all, not an add on.  Imagination – in terms of commissioning, venue choices and accessibility. A government that truly believes in the value of art to change lives.

What is your most memorable concert experience?

In the north of Iceland playing a solo show in a dark, ancient wooden herring factory with the audience sitting all around. 

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

I want to communicate through music, and create new, totally absorbing worlds. 

What advice would you give to young/aspiring musicians?

Enjoy the music, and make the most of all your experiences.

Ruth Wall and Graham Fitkin’s Harpland is touring again this summer, beginning on 5 May at Ashburton Arts. ‘Loosely revolving around human migration, these performances involve three harps, some nifty synths and a choreographed light installation from the wonderful Peter Freeman.‘

Find out more

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Ruth Wall Harpist