Alphonse Hasselmans was born in Liège on 5 March 1845 and died in Paris on 19 May 1912. he was a French harpist and composer of Belgian birth. As solo harpist with the orchestras of the Paris Conservatoire, Opéra and Opéra-Comique, and as professor at the Conservatoire, he played a significant part in the harp revival at the turn of the century; he wrote about 50 pieces.

As a solo performer Hasselmans often played his own compositions in concert, many of which were very difficult. Of his fifty-four works all were for solo harp, none for harp and orchestra. His output includes a handful of popular pieces, such as Gitana, Op. 21 (http://musescore.com/mike_magatagan/gitana-caprice-for-harp) and La Source, Op. 44 (http://musescore.com/mike_magatagan/la-source-opus-44-tude-for-harp-).

"Aubade" ("Sérénade") Opus 30 was written in 1893 however, little is know about this work aside from the dedication "A son élève Madame la comtesse de Lauriston" (A student of Madame la Comtesse de Lauriston).

This piece is best played using the "GeneralUser GS.sf2" Soundfont by S. Christian Collins Software (http://www.schristiancollins.com/generaluser.php).