Concerto pour harpe et orchestre

1- Allegro

2-Andante

3- Vif et léger

4- Fuguette (suppressed)

5- Final allegro molto

The Concerto pour harpe et orchestre, was dedicated to and premiered by French harpist and pedagogue Pierre Jamet in 1946. Jamet later became the harp professor at the Conservatoire de Paris in 1948. Decruck’s Concerto shares similarities with Germaine Tailleferre's Sonate pour la harpe. It is a concertino in style, light-hearted, warm, and full of surprises. At the premier performance by Concerts Colonne, Henry Malherbe from Les étoiles commented that the Concerto was “A work of lively and delicate feeling. A renowned harpist, Pierre Jamet has carved out a great success.” Decruck must not have been fully satisfied, though. In her definitive score, she states that the original fourth movement, a fughetta, should be suppressed.

The Concerto pour harpe et orchestre was recorded in January 2022 by Chen-Yu Huang (harp) and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Matthew Aubin. It will be released in the summer of 2022 on Claves Records. A preview of the manuscript score can be seen below.

A reduction for piano and harp was created by Chen-Yu Huang and Matthew Aubin. The reduction and orchestral score and parts are available through Éditions Billaudot and its distributors. www.billaudot.com

“At the Concerts Colonne ,the first performance of a Concerto for harp and orchestra by Mme Fernande Breilh-Decruck. A work of lively and delicate feeling. A renowned harpist, Pierre Jamet has carved out a great success."

Henry MALHERBE, Les étoiles, April 16, 1946

“At the Concerts Colonne, a very endearing first performance of a Concerto for harp and orchestra by Mme Fernande Breilh-Decruck. Is the harp a concert instrument? I doubted it. It is therefore a real challenge that the erudite musician faced and from which she emerged happily. Five movements of a clear, jagged and shimmering style, of a delicate and piquant poetry. Mr. Pierre Jamet, who brought his technique to a high degree of perfection, brought forth from his harp and showered us with the freshest sound droplets. Mr. Paul Paray, quick to understand the thoughts of all composers, led the orchestra with irresistible mastery."

Henry MALHERBE, Le Courrier de Paris, April 3, 1946