Quotes and Reviews


Elinor Bennett’s long and distinguished career in the service of the harp and its music led us to expect an exceptional evening, and this is exactly what we got: Erudition, enthusiasm and musicianship were displayed in equal measure.
— Rob Lowe - Review - Elinor Bennett: Harp and Triple Harp - 2016
We are very proud of our long-standing relationship with Ms Bennett, who we hold in the highest esteem : as a pedagogue, as the artistic lead for diverse harp events, and as a concert artist.

An outstanding feature of Ms Bennett’s work is her ability to perform on many types of harps. At our recent Tenth Festival Camac (October 2015) she gave a recital on five instruments from our private collection of antique instruments. In the space of an hour, she played a Welsh Triple harp by Henessy Hughes (1896); a Celtic Harp from the Clark Manufacturing Company, Syracuse, NY (approx. 1920); a French single-action harp by Jean Francois Joseph Naderman; a Louis XVl-style double-action Erard (1895), and an Empire-style double-action Erard (1913).

There was so much demand to hear this concert that Ms Bennett in fact gave two performances, one after the other. She received a great ovation from her two full houses, and we were moved to hear how she brought these noble instruments to life, with such virtuosity, musicianship and humility.

We warmly recommend her as an ambassador for the harp in all its forms.
— Jakez Francois, President, Camac Harps, France - 2015.
Mistress of the harp : Elinor Bennett, one of the world’s finest harpists, captivated her audience with a superb recital in Ruthin…..Equally delightful were the selections of Welsh folksongs and examples of Penillion singing, where Elinor Bennett expertly took both vocal and instrumental parts.
— Daily Post, March 2000
Cafwyd gwledd o gerddoriaeth telyn Cymru’r bedwaredd ganrif ar ddeg yn Theatr Gwynedd…pan gynhaliwyd datganiad hyfryd o waith John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia) gan Elinor Bennett.
— Western Mail - Chwefror 1999
From penillion singing to the accompaniment of the centuries old triple harp, to the majestic and rhythmic complexity of William Mathias’ “Santa Fe Suite”, Elinor Bennett from Wlaes recently regaled a prestigious gathering of American harpists at their national convention in Baton Rouge, Louisianna.This was the first time for many of the harpists to attend a live performance of this ancient instrument which remains a part of Welsh muical tradition.
— Barbara Martin in “Ninnau”, North American Welsh newspaper - August 1998
Harpist Elinor Bennett and Flautist Ileana Ruhemann deserve bouquets for the “togetherness” they achieved in a recital at Dunham Hall on Friday…..Elinor Bennett excelled in Debussy’s Arabesque No.1 .
— The Messenger (Cheshire) - 21 March 1996
Leading Welsh Harpist Elinor Bennett, a stalwart at the 1994 World Harp Festival in Cardiff, had a unique experience when she gave a recital at Merthyr Mawr House.
In a Programme which would have tested the fingers of four harpists let alone one, she performed music by five composers, three of whom – John Metcalf, Jeffrey Lewis and Arvo Part- were present. Elinor Bennett delighted with her usual virtuosity in a performance which underlined the importance of assiduous prepartion.
— South Wales Echo - August 1994
No collector of the byeways of Welsh music should be without Elinor Bennett’s collection of music by three harpist-composers of the past (Edward Jones,John Parry and John Thomas) on Sain 1331D).
— Western Mail - 27 December 1986
Members of the Ruthin Music Club were delighted to welcome back the noted Welsh harpist, Elinor Bennett for the season’s last concert. Such was the success of the recital given by elinor last year that the committee received a deluge of requests for a return visit.
— Dinbighshire Free Press - 10 April 1985
In the past few months I have particularly enjoyed listening to a very fine new solo instrumental recordings. To head the list is a most enjoyable recital by one of our leading Welsh musicians, Elinor Bennett. Her new recording for Sain (Portrait of the Harp, SCD 9053) …..Throughout she plays with great virtuosity.
— Western Mail - 2 September 1989
It isn’t very often that I have a Welsh instrumental record to review. I am glad to give pride of place this month to harpist Elinor Bennett, whose new record for Sain is an absolute delight.
— Western Mail - 4 October 1986