Masterpieces for Harp: A curated selection of distinguished works featuring noble and delicate tones

Sacred and Secular DancesClaude Debussy

Claude Debussy: Danse sacrée et danse profane

Claude Debussy, a master of French Impressionism, composed Danses sacrée et profane in 1904.

Commissioned to showcase Pleyel’s new chromatic harp and written for harp and string ensemble, the work has long been cherished by harpists and enthusiasts for its refined, delicate beauty.

Consisting of two contrasting parts—the reverent Danses sacrée and the vibrant Danses profane—the piece reveals Debussy’s distinctive harmonies and rhythms, along with a unique sound world that evokes an Eastern aesthetic.

With its serene, profound beauty, it is a recommended listen for quiet evenings or moments when you wish to calm the mind.

Introduction and AllegroMaurice Ravel

Ravel: Introduction et Allegro, Elisa Netzer harp

Maurice Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro was composed in 1905 at the request of the Érard company.

Centered on the harp and scored with flute, clarinet, and string quartet, it unfolds a fantastical sound world that fully showcases the harp’s tonal beauty and technical allure.

In the introduction, it paints a scene as if opening the doors to a story, and in the allegro the harp displays delicate virtuosity while engaging in harmonious interplay with the other instruments.

Although intended to promote a new model of pedal harp, Ravel pushed the instrument’s possibilities to their limits and created a truly singular work.

Even listeners who do not usually listen to classical music are likely to be moved by the piece’s delicacy and rich expressiveness.

FountainMarcel Georges Lucien Grandjany

The Fountain — Marcel Lucien Grandjany

A masterpiece that fully brings out the harp’s charm has been born.

Composed by the French-born Marcel Georges Lucien Grandjany, this work is distinguished by its graceful and serene melodies.

Debuting at 17 with the Concerts Lamoureux Orchestra and later active in Paris, London, and New York, Grandjany’s talent truly shines here.

The harp’s delicate timbre weaves a beautiful line as clear as the surface of a spring fed with crystalline water.

It offers superb soothing effects, perfect for anyone wishing to bask in elegance.

The experience and passion of Grandjany—who became head of the harp department at the Juilliard School in 1938—are infused throughout this piece.

Harp Concerto in B-flat major, HWV 294Georg Friedrich Händel

George Frideric Handel – Concerto No.6 in B♭ major, HWV 294 (Op.4)

Georg Friedrich Handel’s Harp Concerto in B-flat major, HWV 294, premiered in 1736.

At the time, alongside his operas and oratorios, Handel introduced his own concertos, bringing a fresh breeze to the musical world.

This work, written for the harp, is one of them; its graceful sonorities—woven from delicate melodies and harmonies—continue to captivate listeners even today.

Perfect for a relaxing evening or a gentle morning awakening, this masterpiece is sure to reaffirm the healing power of music.

Fantasy Brillante, Op. 302Nicolas-Charles Bochsa

Nicholas-Charles Bochsa Fantaisie Brilliante, op. 302 Maria Christina Cleary, harpe organisée

A celebrated harp piece by the 19th-century French composer Nicolas-Charles Bochsa.

Born in Montmédy in 1789, Bochsa studied at the Paris Conservatoire and demonstrated his talent from an early age.

This work aims to explore the harp’s rich sonority and technical possibilities, distinguished by delicate melodies and brilliant ornamentation.

Although it is a demanding piece requiring advanced technique, it beautifully showcases the instrument’s allure.

It is an excellent recommendation for those wishing to experience the world of harp music or to spend a calm, peaceful time.

Concert Etude “Spring” Op. 44Alphonse Hasselmans

“La Source”, op. 44 de Alphonse Hasselmans, Tjasha Gafner, harpe (14 ans)

Alphonse Hasselmans was a harpist and composer born in Belgium who was active in Paris.

His representative work, Concert Study “La source,” Op.

44, was composed in 1898 and is known as one of the most beautiful pieces in the harp repertoire.

While it is a technical étude for the harp, it is also an emotionally rich work that depicts spring scenery and a fresh spring of water.

It is recommended not only for advanced harpists who wish to develop their technique, but also for anyone seeking the soothing beauty of the harp’s sound.

Hasselmans’s excellent work will offer a moment of calm to the heart.

Sinfonia Concertante for Harp and StringsJohann Christian Bach

Sinfonia Concerto Johann Christian Bach Harp and Strings

Symphony Concertante for Harp and Strings by Johann Christian Bach—the youngest son of the Baroque master Johann Sebastian Bach, often called the “Great Bach”—is a work that highlights the refined beauty of Classical-era music.

The delicate timbre of the harp blends with the rich resonance of the strings, drawing listeners into an elegant sonic world.

Its melodies reveal a splendid harmony between the musical legacy he inherited from his family and his own distinctive innovations.

Striking a superb balance between technical refinement and expressive emotion, this piece is recommended both for those seeking a tranquil moment and for listeners who wish to savor classical music more deeply.