Recent news:
On February 6, I travel to Seattle, kindly invited by The University of Washington, to attend a screening of the film; The Healing Heart Of Lushootseed and a performance of my Symphony; The Healing Heart Of The First People Of This Land by The University Of Washington Orchestra under the direction of David Rhabee.
The Walla Wall Symphony Orchestra in Washington State has chosen, The Healing Heart Of The First People Of This Land to open their 2026/27 season.
I have just completed an album of piano music. The album is titled Short Stories and is available@ bruceruddell.bandcamp.com
Album cover-Nichola Ruddell/Juno Rinaldi
On March 7, 2025 the Seattle Symphony performed The Healing Heart Of The First People Of This Land for the second time. The Mark Taper Auditorium in Benaroya Hall was completely sold out- 2500 people experienced the symphony. Here is an audience testimonial:
“I almost can’t articulate (but of course here I am trying to) how I felt hearing that music resonating through the most white institution I know, upending the abilities of conventional musical instruments and reweaving their sound into a symphony that was water, sky, earth and heart. A religious experience. Alexandra Dane
Seattle Symphony bows-Lisa Berg photo
I can’t think of another piece of orchestral that has been as much of a living document as this one. I can’t wait to hear it again.-Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel-Director of Orchestral Studies-University of Western Washington
“You have just heard a masterpiece“- Maestro Gerard Schwarz. Seattle Symphony-2006.
The Healing Heart Of The First People Of This Land
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
University Of Washington February 6 2026.
The Walla Wall Symphony Orchestra-September 23 2026
Some Reviews of past works
EARTHPRAYERS an oratorio–Orpheum Theatre -Vancouver -1996
“Ruddell’s music is awesome…beautiful..exquisite, Ruddell writes gloriously for the voice…orchestrations as lush as Bruckner…the Death movement had the somber radiance of a Bach motet.”– The Vancouver Sun
“Ruddell’s music is uplifting…exhilarating… hypnotic… propulsive… sublime. moments of pure divinity…full of colour and variety…rhythmic surges that Frank Zappa or Igor Stravinsky would have been happy to claim…a breakout hit.”– The Georgia Straight
The Spirit Of Haida Gwaii-an oratorio– Bill Reid texts– Montreal, Waterloo, Vancouver-Six performnaces, multiple radio and television broadcasts
“..powerful and complex….a perfect match for the opening concert of the 2008 Cultural Olympiad, at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday (February 1)—the first of many arts-related events scheduled between now and the 2010 Olympic Games. Much like the Olympics themselves, Reid and Ruddell’s oratorio is rooted in ancient myth—and its creators’ cross-cultural partnership exemplifies the kind of brotherhood that the games, at least theoretically, are intended to foster. Alex Varty
