Esther Swift: Scottish Harpist and Singer

Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world in her performance with pedal harp and voice. In this performance she focuses on her poems that she has been commissioned to turn into music, performing works by Carol Ann Duffy, Edwin Morgan, Rachel McCrum and Jackie Kay, among others.

 

A prolific, boldly innovative harpist, composer and singer, Esther works across genres as diverse as classical chamber music and free improvisation, and writes for ensembles large and small. Having studied at Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Music School and the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as with harp pioneer Catriona McKay, she has received numerous prestigious commissions and featured in many international collaborations.  

 

She has travelled to Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mongolia, and beyond with her music, and shared international, music lead collaborations with musicians and other artists around the world.  

 

She has recently been commissioned by Celtic Connections, Chamber Music Scotland, Manchester Jazz festival and The Edwin Morgan Trust and performed internationally with her band Emergence Ensemble. 

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Esther's debut solo studio album, Expectations of a Lifetime, was released in June 2024.


“Björk-esque” ★★★★★ - Edinburgh Reporter

"Esther Swift is a monster musician. Be Very afraid” - Chris Wood