Orí Harmelin

Where were you born?
Haifa, Israel

Where do you live?
Basel, Switzerland

Why did you start playing music?
When I was young, listening to any music that I loved, I felt a visceral pain—a pain of not being a part of the music-making.

What is your favourite instrument?
I don’t have a favourite instrument. I fell in love with the lute many years ago, and it became the instrument I communicate with because I know how—I speak this language.

What music did you listen to as a child?
As a child, I loved listening to Black Spiritual music and Blues and Jazz singers such as Paul Robeson and Nina Simone. As a teenager, I got into The Beatles, followed by Frank Zappa, Progressive Rock, Bartok, Messiaen, and eventually fell in love with Bach. This led to an interest in earlier music: Early Baroque, then Renaissance, and Medieval music.

What was your first record?
My first cassette was HELP by The Beatles.

What musical period would you like to live in?
I am happy where and when I am.

Where do you prefer to listen to music?
In my kitchen and living room, though the train will do as well.

Where can we find you when you are not making music?
Working as a therapist, reading philosophy, conducting seminars for personal growth, writing scripts for my podcast “The Curious Case of Freedom,” and binge-watching Netflix.

Where did you study?
I studied in Trossingen, Germany, and in Zürich, Switzerland.

What awards have you received?
I don’t remember if I ever received any awards. Competitions don’t fit with my idea of music-making.

Who is your favourite composer?
I couldn’t say; I love so many kinds of music.

Which composer would you like the public to rediscover?
My dear friend Simon MacHale.

What is your first recording?
The first recording I ever did was with my ensemble Santenay, which no longer exists. It was a collection of works from Machaut, Dufay, Binchois, Solage, and other French and Italian composers of the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

What is your favourite recording?
Passacaglia (with me). It is one of the most personal projects I have ever done, and I still enjoy listening to it.

What is your favourite Passacaille recording?
Any recording of the Sollazzo ensemble.

Who do you dream of recording with?
My friend and lute player Thor-Harald Johnsen.

Which piece have you never recorded but would like to?
A suite by Robert de Visée and a piece by Bach.

What do you do before a concert?
Relax.

What do you do after a concert?
Go out for dinner and a drink with friends.

What would you do if you were not a musician?
I would pursue something I’m passionate about. I consider myself lucky because I’ve found music that I’m passionate about, as well as Gestalt therapy, where I can support people in connecting more with their inner selves. Additionally, podcasting allows me to exercise my creativity and express my thoughts and ideas.