DESCRIPTION:
Debussy's love of unusual (for the time period) harmonies is exemplified clearly in many of his works. This piece is no exception. Debussy was commissioned by the Pleyel company to write music for their newest instrument, the chromatic harp. Along with Ravel's Allegro and Tournier's Sonatine, Debussy's Danses Sacrée et Profane is on of the greatest pieces of music in the harp repertoire. Though like Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata and Ravel's Tzigane, the instrument this work was meant to promote was eventually dropped for the more common variation (the Schubert sonata is now played with a cello, Ravel's violin racehorse now accompanied by a normal piano, and this piece is now preformed with the usual harp).

The beautiful sound emitted from this string orchestra and glittering solo harp create such tones that are perfect for sitting back, taking deep breaths, and pondering, dreaming of wherever the music takes you.

Leonard Slatkin & the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra