Debussy: Suite Bergamasque - symphonic wind dectet

Suite bergamasque is a piano suite by Claude Debussy, and mvt 3 Clair de Lune is one of the composer's most famous works for the instrument.

Suite bergamasque consists of four movements:

(They are also available separately)

1.Prélude (Moderato tempo rubato, F major, 

2.Menuet (Andante, A minor, 

3.Clair de lune (Andante très expressif, D♭ major, 

4.Passepied (Allegretto ma non troppo, F♯ minor, 

Prélude

The first piece in the suite is in the key of F major and marked moderato tempo rubato. Its legato phrases give it a smooth, flowing feel.

Menuet



The second movement is in A minor. Rather than mimicking the articulations of a baroque minuet from the start, Debussy eschews the accent on the downbeat of the first measures. The light, fluttery embellishments Debussy writes throughout the movement give it the character of an arabesque.

Clair de lune

The third movement is in D♭ major. It is written in compound triple meter (9/8) and marked andante très expressif.Its title, which means "moonlight" in French, is taken from Verlaine's poem "Clair de lune".

It is not to be confused with the two settings of the poem composed by Debussy for voice and piano accompaniment.

Passepied

The final movement is in F♯ minor, marked allegretto ma non troppo.

A passepied is a type of dance that originated in Brittany. This movement is fast and light, with the left hand playing an almost continuous quaver or eighth-note accompaniment.

The movement includes the use of 3 against 4 polyrhythm.

Arranged double wind quintet and bass.

(Alt parts for tuba/comtrabassoon)

Preview links to an mp3