Clair De Lune

Wikipedia sources say: "Suite Bergamasque" is one of the most famous piano suites by Debussy, but it's much more than that....

"Clair de Lune" is the third movement (as well as Debussy's most famous musical composition) of Debussy's "Suite Bergamasque."

Debussy composed the Suite Bergamasque in 1888 when he was 26 years old. The title of the composition makes reference to the people of Bergamo, a small town in Italy were people are known for their peculiar behavior. The work is for piano solo in four movements: Prelude, Menuet, Clair de Lune, and finally Passepied. Each movement is unique and original (typical of Debussy), but it seems 99% of the time only Clair de Lune is performed.

It's difficult to say just what Debussy's title suggest, although; there is little if any doubt that Paul Verlaine's poem is at the core of Debussy's work.

Paul Verlaine was one of the great French poets of the 19th century (known as "Fin de Siecle" or End of The Century poets/writers were a literary movement in France), and it seems Debussy was inspired by his poem Clair de Lune in which Verlaine makes reference to the people of Bergamo.

Clair de Lune is extremely challenging for any pianist since it's all suppose to be played very softly. Most pianists are used to playing Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin; these three composers require strength and prowess from even the greatest amongst virtuosos. This is not the case with Clair de Lune, although; Clair de Lune is very difficult to play and requires technical mastery, it's as the saying goes: "a totally different animal all together."

The other three movements are quite original, however; in terms of fame, they are of no consequence when compared to Clair de Lune. (The third movement of the suite.)

Clair de Lune is not the only work that Debussy composed inspired by poets/poems. Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" makes reference to Mallarme's (another great "End of The Century" poet) poem of the same name.

Few piano compositions have reached the heights of Clair de Lune. Not only is this the most famous of all Debussy's compositions; but Clair de Lune is also one of the most famous piano compositions ever written. It's not only played by great classical pianists, but it's also heard on commercials, movies, and TV shows, be it only parts of the composition are heard. In fact: one can safely say that most people who have heard Clair de Lune don't know who Debussy or Paul Verlaine were.