Classical Music | Piano Music

Claude Debussy

Suite Bergamasque  Play

Xiang Zou Piano

Recorded on 06/12/2007, uploaded on 01/21/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Suite Bergamasque       Claude Debussy

I. Prélude; II. Menuet; III. Clair de lune; IV. Passepied

The Suite Bergamasque (ber-gah-'mask) is one of the most famous piano suites of Claude Debussy and is widely regarded as the most fascinating. It was likely named after Paul Verlaine's poem "Clair de lune", which refers to a bergamask-a rustic dance from the region of Bergamo in northern Italy. The piece was published in 1905 and consists of four movements.

The Prélude is full of dynamic contrasts with a spectacular beginning and ending. The second movement is a Menuet, following the typical Baroque suite form. It is quite mysterious, yet playful during its pianissimo parts and shows interesting harmonies. It is followed by the well-known Clair de Lune (Moonlight), a very soft and tender masterpiece of Debussy, played mostly pianissimo. Finally, the playful Passepied has an interesting combination of Baroque and French flavor.      Xiang Zou