Sounds of the landscape The beauty of the Cornish coast provides inspiration for internationally renowned harpist Ruth Wall Words: Natalie Millar-Partridge uth Wall is a Cornish- Early harps at concerts, weddings near the sea, within a lovely based harpist, living in and events in and around community. Having the coast on her self-built home in Cornwall, across the UK and the doorstep is wonderful – I am R Treen, West Cornwall, internationally. Having travelled a very outdoorsy person and love with her partner, the composer extensively – Ruth has performed practicing then going for a walk Graham Fitkin, who she cites as as a harpist through Europe to or jog along the cliffs, whatever a massive inspiration within her the States, Australia and Japan the weather. And of course work. – Ruth still cites her beautiful popping down to the beach at Ruth grew up in Sutherland, in coastal surrounds in Cornwall the end of a summer’s day is the far North of Scotland and is as a huge inspiration within her heavenly. The contrast between the eldest of six children. work. still, concentrated practice and ‘This is a beautiful wild ‘My music is much inspired getting outdoors is great, I would landscape but very remote, by the beautiful West Cornish be lost without it,’ says Ruth. we couldn’t even walk to visit coast found right on my doorstep, It is the couple’s self-built space friends and the local shop was alongside the rugged countryside – an L-shape with glass facing the nearly three miles away, for of my childhood roots in garden - that Ruth can often be me playing music and getting Scotland,’ she says. found rehearsing in. lost in the woods and hills were Ruth came to be in Cornwall ‘It is very quiet, as Graham very appealing. At 13 I got a through her partner Graham works at the other end of the scholarship to Gordonstoun Fitkin, who is from Penzance house so apart from birds and School so this was a big change, originally. tractors we can record here too I missed home, so immersed ‘Our house was a design without interruption. However, myself in music even more,’ Ruth by Barrie Briscoe who was a when I’m practicing I don’t really reminisces. wonderful architect and worked pay attention to anything other Now an internationally in Cornwall for many years than the music and the task in renowned harpist, Ruth performs with his interiors partner Petra hand, it is so utterly absorbing. on Concert harp, Celtic harp and Elkan. We’re ideally positioned This means I can also rehearse 80 Cornwall Life: October 2018 the arts Photo: Lottie Davies Lottie Photo: perched on the desk in a hotel, or Tanner Steve : Photo in a broom cupboard if need be!” says Ruth. Ruth has been performing as a harpist since she was ten years old and within just a few weeks of playing, was asked to play a short piece at a local caelidh with other harpists from the Highlands ‘I was hugely inspired by the different sounds of the early harps (Medieval wire strung harp, Renaissance buzzing harp) and also occasionally using electronics to open the sound world of the instrument. I play very early music on my historical harps, right through to Romantic and very modern music. It very much depends on the concert or event. Sometimes I mix up the music and perform a range special venue – the shape and Ruth’s five of styles as I enjoy contrasting acoustic are beautiful and you gReatest sound worlds. It is interesting see so many twinkling lights influences pointing out parallels as well as all around. Stepping out on Graham Fitkin: I met my differences between the various stage there nearly made me partner at a concert in which I was ages – for instance some medieval cry. Another show-stopping playing his music. His energetic, music is very similar to modern experience is Glastonbury main- rhythmically complex, driving minimalism in structure and stage. To look out on a sea of music is a joy to play and listen to. tonality,’ explains Ruth. people stretching into the sunset On top of this he is a wonderfully Ruth’s extensive harp is awe inspiring, but almost easier thoughtful musician, often repertoire stems from her than performing in a tiny church influencing my music making Highland roots to her classical or venue where you can see every decisions with a few wise words. training, jazz and love of new face.’ music, alongside beautiful airs Ruth also plays locally at J.S. Bach: I have been obsessed from the Scottish Highlands and weddings, with frequent wedding with Bach’s music since I was Ireland. She has performed as venues in Cornwall including St very young, and have played a harpist with artists including Mawes Castle, Hotel Tresanton, many of his works on piano, and English electronic duo, Pendennis Castle, Fowey Hall and in arrangements for my concert Goldfrapp, with who she toured The Eden Project alongside Skibo harp. It’s a lifetime’s work getting to a year with, performing Seventh Castle and Dornoch Cathedral know his music! Tree and Kathryn Tickell and in Scotland and Drapers Hall in records for EMI, Mercury Music, London’s Guildhall. Debussy: The richness of his Sony BMG and universal. ‘I perform at some of the harmony suits the harp so well ‘Musically and through the loveliest wedding venues in and I love Debussy’s musical landscape I feel very influenced Cornwall and the South West imagination. by Scotland – for instance, on as well as further afield. I really the wire strung harp I play a vast enjoy planning the music with the Gaelic song and bagpipe music: I array of intricate musical figures, couple, sometimes making new grew up with this music, and many dating back hundreds of years, arrangements of their favourite of the techniques and ornaments linked with Gaelic song and the pieces, and being part of their that I use are derived from Highland Highland piping tradition. This special day,’ says Ruth. bagpipe and Gaelic singing. music featured so strongly when Ruth plays internationally I was growing up in the North on tours and concerts, working The musicians I play with: I Highlands amidst the empty wild alongside her partner, Graham learn so much from the wonderful landscape is impossible for me to on many projects. The duo musicians I know, especially those leave behind,’ says Ruth. collaborate every few years in bands I have played with many Ruth is certainly no stranger to on a major album/touring times including, Kathryn Tickell playing at large venues, having project for FitkinWall, having and the Side, Fitkin Band, Sacconi previously performed at the Royal performed music from these Quartet, Will Gregory. Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, albums in UK, Japan, Europe and Kensington Palace, Royal Opera Scandinavia, as well as playing My own imagination: I love House, Gucci’s 75th celebrations in Graham’s nine-piece band seeing how far I can stretch it when in Rome and Florence, Radio Fitkin – a meeting of his favourite I am learning new music. Which City, New York and as part of the performers over the years. lines to follow and which strands of London Olympic celebrations. ‘One of my most amazing a story to pull out at certain points, ‘The Albert Hall is a most weeks was spent at the Royal 4 discovering what the journey is. Cornwall Life: October 2018 81 LabeL hjhjhj Photo: Ryan Sharpe Ryan Photo: Opera House with Graham’s band fantastic experiences to date. Most MeMoR able Fitkin, performing his opera ‘It is such a beautiful hall venues Home. Performing and touring with a perfect acoustic. In the peRformed with this band – on a social level longer term I really enjoy playing Tokyo Spiral Hall: My first visit to and musically – is wonderful as with Kathryn Tickell in her Japan, I performed with Graham in everything seems to click, even band The Side. To have time to this beautiful modern venue with a though the music is wild and develop as a band is great and I lovely acoustic. complex, it is very funky and love the energy and incredible fantastic to play,’ enthuses Ruth. musicianship of Amy, Lou and Glastonbury main stage: In the next two years, Ruth Kathryn,’ says Ruth. I performed with Goldfrapp in front will be working with Graham For the festive season Ruth will of the setting sun and an audience on a new recording and touring be touring the UK in The Three stretching further than I could see. project for FitkinWall called The Harps of Christmas, performing Shifter. at various stand out venues across Fyvie Castle in Scotland and ‘We will be collaborating with the country, including Scorrier Glendurgan in Cornwall: guitarist Alex Lee and touring House in Cornwall on Wednesday wonderful venues for my Christmas in UK and China. I will also be 12 December. recital with three harps. performing several concerts Ruth balances her busy in Australia next July in the schedule with her love for all Well’s Cathedral: an utterly Australia Festival of Chamber things outdoors – in particular dramatic setting for the 1928 film and Music. I’m really excited to get cycling and skiing. ‘Being in the music for Joan of Arc, a project I have a chance to play with some mountains feels like home and been involved with for a few years. wonderful new musicians, though it may seem a complete including Pipa player Wu Man,’ contrast to performing, skiing is The Long Barn at Childerley: enthuses Ruth.