Jean Cras's only solo harp piece, it is also a legitimate piano piece, explicitly designated "for harp or piano" in the published score. This work is a product of a period when Cras showed strong interest in the possibilities of the harp and engaged in extensive experimentation. Cras's persistent efforts continued thereafter, leading to the "Suite en duo" (fl, hp or vn, pf / 1927) and culminating in his magnum opus, the "Quintet" (hp, fl, vn, va, vc or pf, 2vn, va, vc / 1928).

Cras composed most of his works on board warships during his duties as a naval officer, sailing around the world, and this piece is no exception. The end of the published score bears the inscription: "Lorient, à bord du Lamotte-Picquet, 3 Décember 1925." It consists of two movements, slow and fast, performed continuously without a break.

The first movement (Lent, 3/4 time, D-flat major) evokes the ever-changing aspects of the sea, from the endlessly vast horizon and open ocean to calm lulls and fierce waves. This piece is characteristic of Cras, who was born and raised in Brest, the naval port town vividly depicted by Jean Genet in "Querelle de Brest," and who spent most of his life with the sea.

The second movement (Animé, 4/4 time, E major) might represent the rustic songs and dances of Brittany, Cras's beloved homeland. When ashore, Cras was a father of one son and three daughters, and a good family man (his second daughter, Colette Cras, was a pianist who later became the wife of Tansman).

Dedicated to Pierre Jamet, a leading harp virtuoso in France at the time. The premiere was given by Jamet on June 1, 1927, at a concert of the Société Musicale Indépendante (SMI).

When performing this piece on the piano, one should first strive to express the consistent grand scale and dynamism inherent in the work. Furthermore, the resolution of individual passages that are not inherently pianistic may well be left to the discretion and ingenuity of each performer. This masterpiece can also serve as an entry point to Cras's works, which are currently experiencing a significant global re-evaluation.