FitkinWall presents HARPLAND
Saturday 30 November 8pm (SHERLING STUDIO)
Tickets and information 01202 280000
Internationally renowned harp and electronica duo FitkinWall follow threads of migration, loss and longing in their new show Harpland, at Lighthouse Poole on Saturday 30 November.
Scottish harpist Ruth Wall and composer Graham Fitkin perform captivating new versions of old Gaelic songs and Highland tunes conjuring up mesmerising sound worlds on three wildly different harps, Moog synth and electronica. The concert tour also features a specially commissioned light installation from acclaimed artist Peter Freeman.
It is strong, immediate music – pulsating patterns, eery melodic fragments, sumptuous harmonies – all constructed with care and precision. Allusions can be drawn to new-classical, folk, even ambient and systems music, with hints of artists such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Lau or Haushka somewhere in the ether.
Harpland focuses on one small aspect of migration – the eviction and subsequent migration of farmers and crofters from the Scottish highlands during the Clearances. FitkinWall have produced a new work using Scottish melodies from this time, remoulded and recomposed, and interspersing interviews from recent migrants in to Scotland.
Their previous albums Still Warm and Lost, with live VJ, toured through the UK and Europe, before heading out to Japan.
Both artists also work independently. Ruth has worked with Goldfrapp, Kathryn Tickell, RLPO, BBC Orchestras and film composers John Lunn and Clint Mansell. She tours extensively in venues from Radio City New York and Glastonbury, to Sydney Opera House and Roskilde Fest. Graham’s music has been performed by artists such as Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, New York City Ballet, BBC Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, Will Gregory, choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Shezad Dawood. His music has been released by Decca, Sony, BIS, Naxos and many others. He has won three BASCA Composer Awards, an International Grand Prix Dance Music Award and the Royal Philharmonic Society Composer Award.