Impromptu for Harp, Op. 86

Composed in 1904 for the harpist Micheline Kahn and premiered in Paris, the Impromptu for Harp Op. 86 is Fauré's only original work for the instrument and a gem of the French harp repertoire. Its deceptively simple ABA structure — an agile, glittering outer section in D-flat major framing a lyrical, harmonically sophisticated middle section — requires from the performer absolute clarity of articulation, elegant tonal shading, and the ease of a born improviser. Fauré's characteristic harmonic ambiguities and voice-leading give the work an emotional complexity that transcends its modest scale, and it has long been a favourite recital piece and competition test work, appearing on the programmes of the World Harp Congress competitions and major international harp festivals.