Clair de lune

from Suite Bergamasque

By Claude Debussy

I like using the sheet music version of this piece as most of my students are not interested in learning other Debussy pieces. This is a standard Debussy piece I love my advanced students to learn before graduating.

I already own a number of other Alfred Masterwork Editions that I am very pleased with. This is hands-down the worst Alfred Masterwork Edition I have ever purchased. Unlike most other Alfred Masterwork Editions, this one contains next to no helpful interpretation notes on the piece or composer. And...

, no added fingering/phrase marks. Instead, there is a rant from the editor about how nearly everyone interprets the piece wrong and why there should be no fingering markings on the music. (An urtext edition of Suite Bergamasque that I have has fingering markings - go figure). Worse, the music notation font used is not very easy to read (condensed) and in the copy I received the print was not sharp. Thinking I had received a counterfeit copy I compared this edition to other Masterwork Editions that I own and looked for obvious tell-tale signs like missing logos, but could not find any.

This piece is pretty, rather romantic, and very nice when played properly. It does a very good job setting to music "Clair de lune," the light of the moon. I am far from mastering the piece, and my opinion of it may improve- or become more disapproving!- as I progress...

. Right now I would say, strictly on a musical basis, that there are some better pieces, and many, many worse. You won't do badly if you buy this, especially if you like Debussy/impressionistic music. My experience- Liszt, working on more Liszt, Handel, Beethoven. The edition itself is very attractive. Thus, I give it 4 Stars and my recommendation.

I wanted to play this song because I heard Victor Borge playing it on a DVD that we watched. It really inspired me. I got it and am starting to learn it. It is quite challenging, but a great song.

This fine piece of music is one of the greatest classical pieces under the romance genre. It is a true masterpiece and is perfect in every aspect.