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Biography of Rupert Parker
Over the last few years Rupert Parker has attracted
increasing attention as the general public and the media have become aware of his unusual style and not inconsiderable musical talent. He is a musician who defies categorization both as a composer and a performer. As Europe's leading exponent of the electric harp he combines the classical tradition of the oldest form of stringed instrument and his academic background with the innovation of modern musical technology and the attitudes of a contemporary record producer.
Rupert was born in Rhodesia of English parents. When he was six years old his family was forced to return to England as a result of the unstable political situation. The Parkers relocated to West Sussex, England where Rupert began his basic musical training with a local harp teacher. The choice of instrument was an early indication of his desire to be "different" or, as he would put it "as awkward as possible".
Rupert's studies developed through the junior section of the Royal College of Music - studying with Sioned WIlliams - and then to full acceptance at the RCM to work under Marisa Robles. He declined this opportunity in favor of the broader approach of a degree course at Brimingham University. He studied the harp with Robert Johnston and also benefited form a grounding in composition, orchestration, and conduction (not to mention the fact that at Birmingham there as more chance to play rugby and cricket).
In addition to academic study Rupert gained considerable practical experience - firstly with THe Brighton Youth Orchestra and later on recording sessions and in concert with many styles of music. He has worked with artists as diverse as Evelyn Glennie, Peter Green, Chas and Dave, and Paul Weller. His knowledge of the music industry is broad - taking in aspects of other instrumental techniques (piano, clarinet, guitar - whilst also being involved in professional recording and production , composing to TV and film (Shell and Midlands Bank Promos, Y Plan exercise videos, various TV Themes etc.), publishing, and sacking management companies.
The association with The Salvi Electric Harp began in 1987. Rupert was in the Salvi showroom buying an acoustic harp when he noticed the electric model which was in a corner and apparently unused. On further investigation it seemed that nobody from the classical world was really interested in it or, indeed knew how to use it properly. Rupert having shown great interest, an appointment was made for him to meet Mr. Victor Salvi (creator of the electric harp and owner of the largest harp manufacturing company in the world). Rupert's enthusiasm so impressed Mr. Salvi that he was immediately invited to present the electric harp at an international harp congress in Vienna. He has been playing it ever since and continues to champion the contemporary outlook of Salvi Harps.
Rupert's career as a recording artist started in 1993 when, unable to convince the major companies to invest in a new idea of which they did not seem to understand the potential, he resolved to force the matter independently. Having established his own record label he literally took the music to the people by organizing public appearances at which he played the harp live in virtually any location where there were potential customers - records stores, railway stations, and (of course) shopping centres. Product was handled in the normal way through a major national record distributor to the retailers in the vicinity of the event. Rupert quickly became very mush in demand as the shop manager s discovered just how much could be sold in this way. (As an example - a two day promotion at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex, England yieled in excess of 1,500 sales.) He effectively created a new system of marketing at the same time as providing a very popular form of free entertainment.
Sales of Rupert Parker albums and CD's now total well over 200,000 in the UK and are continuously increasing. With a wide range of styles from gentle solo harp cover version to original, melodic instrumental pop/rock the appeal is there for a very broad audience of all ages and musical preferences. His artist profile has grown steadily through television appearances - such as The Pebble Mill Show, 11th hour, and Sunday - and considerable amount of radio exposure. Rupert is a firm favourite of Radio 2 having been invited for interviews many times and been a regular guest of The Radio 2 Roadshow around the country in England. H is very popular with local radio stations - both as a performer and for chat shows. Even Radio 1 has played Rupert's music - with Chris Evans making his inimitable comments on the breakfast show. Live concerts have included natnional tours and appearances at The South Bank Centre and The New London Theatre. These have always had a good response as "An Evening With Rupert Parker" is guaranteed to be a varied and entertaining event.
Rupert diversified his style again with the “Original
Works” and “Classical Works” albums. The first is Rupert’s
own work, the latter is a collection of classical pieces - some well known, and
some more unusual – both albums being arranged for and played entirely on
The Salvi Electric Harp. With many layers of sounds the effect is of a
“harp orchestra” but with everything originating from one instrument
and one player. These albums have proven to be very popular both with people
whose taste is for an original sound and approach and who would not normally
listen to an “ordinary” classical recording.
With “On My Own Again” Rupert returns to the beauty if
he solo harp, the album featuring really popular love songs again.
In October 2000, there will (hopefully!) be a double release, not
a double album but two separate works. One will be a recording of Rupert Live
in concert, made at The Arts Centre, Horsham, UK.
The second, entitled “From Dawn Till Dusk”, again
features Rupert’s own compositions, although this time not using just the
harp, but many other instruments as well.
For the more distant future, it is not yet clear what other
musical avenues are to be explored on the next few projects. It is, however,
for certain that the music of Rupert Parker will be giving great pleasure to an
ever increasing number of people for many years to come.
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