A STUDY OF CLAUDE DEBUSSY’S SUITE BERGAMASQUE: PRELUDE, MENUET, CLAIR DE LUNE AND PASSEPIED

Abstract

Abstract Suite Bergamasque is one of the best-loved piano compositions by Claude Debussy. It is performed often in recitals and continues to gain popularity in the classical and popular realms. The focus of this research paper is to present the compositional history of Claude Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque, to analyze all four movements, with special attention to the music of “Clair de Lune,” and to explore the works of art and poetry that inspired it, as well as some of the connections between the music, poetry, and art that influenced Debussy overall. This paper first explores the complicated compositional history of the suite. Suite Bergamasque was first written in 1890, but completed and published in 1905. This study of the historical background will give us an increased understanding of Debussy’s compositional development as demonstrated in this work. Then, I will analyze all movements of Suite Bergamasque, considering harmonic language, formal structure, and performance practice. I will next focus on analyzing the relationship between “Clair de Lune” and the other movements, compositionally and in relation to the words and paintings that inspired the work. Finally, I will demonstrate the connections between Debussy’s music and the poetry of Paul Verlaine, as well as the works of the French painter Jean-Antoine Watteau.