Suite bergamasque – 3. Clair de lune

Dive into Claude Debussy's ethereal and serene compositions with "Clair de lune" on the Metronaut App!

Debussy began composing his "Suite Bergamasque" for piano in 1890, and it was finally published in 1905, comprised of four movements: "Prélude", "Menuet, "Clair de lune", and "Passepied". The third movement, which translates to "Moonlight" in english, has become a popular staple in the classical music repertoire, and an essential for all piano players to learn. Praised for its beautiful melody and use of harmonies, the piece has also been used in popular movies, like "Ocean's Eleven" and "Twilight".

The french composer lived from 1862 to 1918, and was a key figure in the founding of the musical impressionist movement. Rather than following strict rules and conventions, Debussy masterfully combines small details, such as harmonies and dynamics, to paint a scene and evoke emotions in the listener. Close your eyes and listen to the music—what do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel?

The title of this movement was inspired by Paul Verlaine's poem of the same name, written 35 years before the "Suite Bergamasque" was published. In his poem, Verlaine writes: "Your soul is a chosen landscape / On which masks and Bergamasques cast enchantment as they go". The french poet was a good friend of Debussy, and this same poem also inspired another famous composition: Gabriel Fauré's "Clair de lune".

With Metronaut, access our original and simplified arrangements of this piece and learn it with ease! You'll find the original sheet music for piano, but also adaptations for other instruments such as violin, cello, and flute, with piano accompaniments to play along to. Access our digital sheet music on the app or download it in PDF format, and play anywhere you want, whenever you want! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, this piece is a must-have for any musician's collection.

Looking for more impressionist music? Check out our French Impressionism Collection, or explore our full collection of Debussy sheet music.