Andreja Malir, harp - section leader

When did you join the National Symphony Orchestra?

In 1988

Why did you choose to play your instrument?

I was totally besotted with the harp from the moment I saw it. Eventually pester power paid off. It probably helped that my Dad was in the orchestra.

What made you decide to pursue a career in music?

Coming from a musical family, it was in my DNA. I was surrounded by music from as far back as I can remember, so it was kind of inevitable.

Where did you study?

Initially with Sheila Larchet Cuthbert and then at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague with Edward Witsenburg, and a short stint in Spain with Nicanor Zabaleta.

Tell us your favourite NSO story/memory so far.

The most personal memory for me would be in 2023 when my predecessor and first harp teacher, Sheila Larchet Cuthbert, came in to celebrate her 100th birthday. The orchestra gave a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday after which, with such a clear voice, she thanked the orchestra with such sincerity I needed a couple of tissues afterwards.

What are you most looking forward to in our 2024-2025 season?

The concert on March 7 celebrating the 150th anniversary of Ravel’s birth. I’ll have a co-pilot/second harp and we’ll be playing flat out, but Ravel writes so beautifully for the instrument we’ll be very happy harpies.

Who is your favourite composer and what is your favourite work?

I think all harpists tend to lean towards French Impressionists like Debussy and Ravel. It’s a tough call; both wrote so expertly for the wide palate of sounds the instrument can create. I’ll go for Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé or maybe Debussy’s La Mer.

What is your greatest achievement – musical or general?

The most epic memory is from 2005 and being a part of an amazing team of harpists and conference organisers that brought the Ninth World Harp Congress to Dublin, in which the NSO played a huge part. During that week they played three concerts entirely of harp concertos!

If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) who would it be, and why?

Harpo Marx. Such a brilliant harpist, all the more remarkable because he couldn’t read music, plus the Marx Brothers were as mad as a box of frogs both on stage and off.