Eleanor Turner

Autumn news from Eleanor

Eleanor has recently returned from Toronto where her Lullabies for the Land sheet music book and live performance were well received this summer at the World Harp Congress. The Lullabies for the Land album is now out on all platforms and is guaranteed to give you a restful and restorative sleep, as you listen to Eleanor's harp arrangements of music from around our planet.

If you are looking for lessons online or in person, Eleanor's up-to-date teaching schedule is here: Eleanor's live teaching calendar but regular slots can be negotiated directly with Eleanor. Eleanor's beginner scheme reopens in November so do enquire now: New students receive a special lesson rate, together with the hire of a small harp, for a two month period.

To enquire about Eleanor's recording work, or a concert booking, don't hesitate to email Eleanor directly with your enquiry: info@eleanorturner.com

The photo (by Chloe Harley) of Eleanor playing the harp in a green shirt was taken at Eleanor's recent performance of The Crown of Ariadne by R Murray Schafer, at Stamford's The Blonde Beet restaurant. Eleanor is putting together a challenging new solo recital programme which includes that master work for harp and percussion, alongside music that is indigenous to Canada, where Schafer was born, lived and worked. She will address the matter of cultural appropriation around the use of Native ceremonies that were present throughout Schafer's work, but rarely attributed to the native First Nation, Inuit and Metis cultures that they were taken from.

Lullabies for the Land is out on Bandcamp and is now streaming on all digital platforms. It is a body of work with an important message, delivered through the stoic yet peaceful medium of songs sung by parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers every second of every minute of every day, across the planet.

Please enjoy the album, it was created for you! I have been truly blessed to have received the generous support of many friends and colleagues, all around the world, with this project. I would like to take this PROUD moment, to tell you about two special people who have inspired and encouraged me to bring the album to completion. They are not blood relatives but they have become hugely important to me.

Right now, in Gaza, Muhannad Abu Hamada, a young nurse who has graduated from University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza City, is volunteering with the organisation Anera helping women and children who have been displaced and need health care. Muhannad is like a son to me and I care deeply about him, his mother and his little brother, Jamil. As a family, they rely on the small gifts Muhannad receives from Anera and the kindness of strangers. It was Muhannad's messages of encouragement to me that sustained me whilst I was recording the last few tracks for the album.

Right now in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a horrifying situation unfolds every day with new threats and injustices. My friend Bush Sebar, professional dancer and educator, is one of the founders of the Invisible Kids Academy, whose videos showing their incredible talent and dedication often go viral on socials. Bush and I met online through humanitarian activism; Bush uses his talent to help the Academy to provide food, hospital treatment for children (typhoid and malaria are rife) and education. The situation in Goma is disastrous with the M23 rebels (a lawless and growing terrorist group) kidnapping and murdering people of all ages. Despite this, the children remain positive and work hard, creating music and dance performances for local and national festivals.

Eleanor Turner is a harpist, composer, humanitarian, curator and producer. She is one of the world's leading classical harpists, with a technique grounded in western classical harp playing, her two main teachers having been Daphne Boden and Alison Nicholls. Eleanor's classical foundation informs but never inhibits her artistic choices as she carves out her own path through her life and musical career.

Eleanor's most meaningful project to date is her sheet music book and album, Lullabies for the Land. This body of work was created, together with the Scottish-Palestinian artist Dima Nowarah, out of anguish at the genocide, occupation and displacement being endured by the Palestinians, at the hands of the Israeli government. The book carries a message of hope and resilience, representing resistance against culture erasure and theft. The title was carefully chosen, with the help of Palestinian sonic agent Christina Hazboun, to express that Lullabies cannot be stolen or burned; they are carried, transported, lovingly passed down, can endure centuries of hardship and they belong to the people of the land on which they were created.

Older news...but still exciting!

Eleanor is the harpist on Dave's third album, The Boy Who Played The Harp. Listen on all major platforms - you'll hear Eleanor on the outros of Chapter 16 feat. Kano and My 27th Birthday. Eleanor's interpretations of History, Environment and 175 Months.

Clare O'Connell and Eleanor's track 'Ductia' is available on all digital platforms. The track features percussionist Joe Danks and it's a gorgeously vibrant, festive track for the season. You can alsolisten and buy the track via Bandcamp: Ductia | Clare O'Connell & Eleanor Turner

For Eleanor's other concerts, please see the Concerts page.

If you're looking for Eleanor's updated teaching schedule, it's here: view slots and book here (payment is not taken at time of booking).

ELEANOR TURNER

Eleanor Turner

Lullabies for the Land album out now on all streaming platforms. Here is a preview via Bandcamp, where you can also buy and download the album:

Upcoming Concerts

Older news...but still exciting!

All enquiries: info@eleanorturner.com