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Late Romantic and Impressionist · suite movement

Passepied, Suite bergamasque, L. 75

Claude Debussy · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A pavane became a passepied just before publication. Passepied, Suite bergamasque, L. 75 is a piece by Claude Debussy from the Late Romantic and Impressionist era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • suite movement
  • Late Romantic and Impressionist
  • dancing

Also known as Passepied: Suite bergamasque IV; Suite bergamasque: IV. Passepied.

History

The closing movement was originally named Pavane. According to Lesure, the corrected proofs show its title changing to Passepied shortly before publication. The name on today's library card is therefore the result of a late editorial-stage decision.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Lower motion carries the opening melody

    Moving lower notes begin before the melody enters. Keep their smaller motion audible beneath the longer upper phrase.

  2. Higher chords answer a lower contrast

    Higher chordal figures alternate with lower contrasting material. Hear the changing register and density of their responses.

  3. I tempo restores familiar material

    Opening material returns in writing with I tempo wording. Recognise the contour through its changed lower continuation.

  4. A high gesture descends quietly

    The last high-register gesture descends into a quiet ending. Follow its connected fall rather than hearing each register change as a new phrase.

How to practise it

Keep the exposed lower pattern light and directional.

  1. Practise the lower eighths softly with clean short releases.
  2. Practise each four-note group, then connect the change from C-sharp-based to F-sharp-based support.
  3. Connect the examined phrase at a comfortable tempo while keeping its stated layers and releases distinct.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Persistent agile accompaniment and independent melody require lightness, evenness and stable dance pulse.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Claude Debussy, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
French piano colors
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Claude Debussy

  1. The Little Shepherd, Children's Corner No. 5Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Clair de lune, Suite bergamasque, L. 75Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. La cathédrale engloutie, Préludes I No. 10Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the exposed lower pattern light and directional.

Practise it in PlayPiano