Description

Debussy composed these two brief dances at the request of the instrument manufacturer Pleyel, which sought to leverage renowned composers for the promotion of its newly designed chromatic harp. These dances can also be performed effectively on the pedal harp, which eventually supplanted the chromatic harp in concert settings. The pieces' archaic style, characterized by modal harmonies that evoke a "sacred" rite and a "profane" dance of joy, reflects Debussy's fascination with antiquity and the artistic milieu of around 1900. This edition is the first critical version of the works, meticulously verified against the autograph and the first edition. Notable harpist Margit-Anna Süss-Schellenberger has provided practical assistance by adapting the solo part of this Urtext edition for the modern harp.