Suite Bergamasque

One of Debussy's most famous piano suites, it was originally composed in 1890 when Debussy was 28, but not published until 1905.  The four movements are Prelude, Menuet, Clair de lune and Passepied.  The Prelude is full of dynamic contrasts with a vigorous beginning and ending.  It is a festive piece, and is in the baroque style that is commonly found in preludes.  The Menuet's playful main theme contrasts with an alternatively mysterious and dramatic middle section.  It is not written in the usual form of most minuets, as it is set in the guise of an old song style.  The most famous movement, Clair de lune (moon shine in French) gets its name from a Paul Verlaine poem of the same name.  It is original tile was Promenade Sentimentale, which also comes from one of Verlaine's poem.  The Passeied is a type of dance that comes from Brittany, and means pass foot.  Its original title was Pavane, and is a happy, medieval piece that is faster than its Baroque counterparts.