Debussy's Danses sacrée et danse profane, featuring Gulnara Mashurova

In 1894 the French piano maker Pleyel had just invented a chromatic harp which, because of an extra set of strings, removed the need for pedals. As part of their marketing for the instrument the firm commissioned Debussy to write a piece showing off the instrument’s capabilities. Of course, Debussy could have created something purely functional, but his Danses sacrée et profane has gone on to become one of his most admired works.

The ‘sacred’ and ‘profane’ labels of the title are perhaps better understood as ‘spiritual’ and ‘earthly’. The first of the two dances has an air of ancient religiosity and recalls medieval chants in the string melodies under the harp’s glistening melody. The composer himself once noted the ‘gravity’ of the opening dance in a letter to fellow composer Manuel de Falla.

By contrast, the composer pointed to the ‘grace’ of the second of the two dances. His exploration of the ‘profane’ – the earthly, the secular, the sensual – is a lilting waltz which nods to the lively music of the Mediterranean, particularly Spain.

It seems that Debussy was sceptical about the potential of Pleyel’s new instrument, and indeed the company ceased production of the chromatic harp by 1930. Happily – as we’ll hear in this concert – the piece can be performed on pedal harp or even piano.

DEBUSSY Danses sacrée et profane for Harp & Strings, L.103
I. Danse sacrée
II. Danse profane

Featuring:
Gulnara Mashurova, Principal Harp
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Hans Graf, Chief Conductor

Recorded at the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, 26 July 2020.