The invention of the chromatic pedal, which simplified playing, significantly increased the popularity of the harp. So popular did the instrument become that Beethoven wrote his Variations on a Swiss Song ‘pour harpe ou piano’. Later, his most popular pieces were arranged, such as the ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, which was virtuosically transcribed by John Thomas, harpist to Queen Victoria. The Divertissements pour la harpe were once thought to be by Beethoven but are possibly by his contemporary and acquaintance, Count Karl Wilhelm von Haugwitz. Leading Italian harpist Paola Perrucci plays on an Érard harp except for the Adagio grazioso, op.31 no.1, where she plays on a modern instrument.

Following her composer father’s (Mario Perrucci’s) path, harpist Paola Perrucci graduated with honours from the Conservatory of Pesaro at seventeen. She continued studies at the Accademia Nazionale di S. Cecilia and Vienna’s Hochschule für Musik, and earned a composition diploma from the Conservatory of Bologna. A champion of rare and historical harp works, Perrucci performs repertoire spanning the Renaissance to contemporary, including rediscovering the harp's basso continuo role. She has premiered works by prominent composers like Manzoni, Melchiorre, and Guarnieri, performing at prestigious venues and festivals internationally. Her recordings of 19th-century works on modern and historical harps have garnered wide audiences. Dedicated to historical harp repertoire, Perrucci founded the Charles Nicolas Bochsa cultural association and leads a historical studies convention. She also teaches masterclasses internationally.