Clair de Lune

The third and most famous movement of Suite bergamasque is Clair de lune, in D♭ major. Its name comes from Verlaine’s poem “Clair de lune”, which means “moonlight” in French. It is written in a slow 9/8 meter and uses very soft dynamics mostly. The arrangement for wind band adds more colors to the original piano piece, while the flowing harmonic arpeggios are expressed within the woodwind section. Conductors should take their time to study the changing rubato tempos, that are so characteristic of this impressionistic masterwork.