Claude Debussy

Ernst-Gnter Heinemann (Editor)

Hans-Martin Theopold (Fingering)

Franois Lesure (Preface)

This piece, probably the young Debussys best known piano piece, was the slow third movement of his Suite bergamasque (HN 381) in four movements. Although it is conventional as far as the harmony is concerned, the tonal and melodic details already anticipate Debussys later piano style. The suite was only published in 1905, although Debussy had made it clear by adding the date of composition 1890 to the proofs that it was an earlier work. The fact that he agreed to its publication shows that he still identified with this piece from a period whose style he had long since left behind him.