# Song recommendations based on Debussy's "Claire de Lune" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450 "2008-02-13T16:30:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/1 "2008-02-13T16:30:29Z")
Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” is one of my favorite pieces of classical music. I really like the overall soundscape / impression / etc. (I even like it despite it being virtually ubiquitous in commercials and movies!) In a similar vein, I really enjoy Satie’s “Trois Gymnopedies”. Anybody got any specific song recommendations for pieces that I would like based on my appreciation for “Claire de Lune”? (Also: I don’t want to necessarily limit this to piano pieces. Sure both “Claire de Lune” and “Trois Gymnopedies” are piano, but I’m easy.) ---
**Author:** ![Solfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Solfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solfy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/2 "2008-02-13T18:48:11Z")
Debussy’s “Deux Arabesques No.1” comes to mind, and a quick google shows me that it’s frequently paired with “Claire de Lune” on recordings. There’s a piano piece by Ravel I have that is also similar, but I can’t think of the title at the moment. That’s going to bug me now. (Sonatine? Anyone?) ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/3 "2008-02-13T18:59:55Z")
[QUOTE=Solfy] There’s a piano piece by Ravel I have that is also similar, but I can’t think of the title at the moment. That’s going to bug me now. (Sonatine? Anyone?) [/QUOTE] “Pavane for a Dead Princess?” Saitie also compsed the Gnossiennes. For another soigne Frenchie, give Gabriel Faure’s _Sicilienn_ a listen, or, even though its just as over-expoesed as Claire de Lune, Saint-Saens’ _Aquarium_ ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/4 "2008-02-13T19:10:53Z")
When you say “song”, do you mean song as in a piece of music that is sung? Or do you just mean other pieces of music? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/5 "2008-02-13T19:53:20Z")
[QUOTE=Doctor Who] (I even like it despite it being virtually ubiquitous in commercials and movies!) [/QUOTE] I was going to recommend _Ocean’s Eleven_ and _The Right Stuff_, a very good movie and a brilliant movie (respectively), but it sounds like you may have already seen them. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/6 "2008-02-13T20:12:50Z")
[QUOTE=Slithy Tove] “Pavane for a Dead Princess?” [/QUOTE] Maybe that’s a different translation or am I thinking of a different work? I’ve always seen the Ravel piece as “Pavane Of The Sleeping Beauty”, from “Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant”. Joe Walsh has an interesting version on his album _So What_. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/7 "2008-02-13T20:25:19Z")
Oh, she’s really dead, not just pining for the fijords, but Ravel does have a different pavane, for Sleeping Beauty, in his Mother Goose Suite. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/8 "2008-02-13T20:31:29Z")
Different works. “Dead Princess” is stand-alone. “Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty” is the first section of Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. In its original piano duo form, most of the suite would fit the OP’s bill. Also check out Ravel’s “Miroirs” and “Valses Nobles et Sentimentales”. He wrote more piano music, all worth a listen. Debussy wrote many other piano pieces and collections. Check out “Pour le piano”, Images I and II, Children’s Corner suite. You’ll also like many of his preludes (books I and II), such as “La cathédrale engloutie” (“The sunken cathedral”). And “Clair de lune” is just one section of his “Suite Bergamasque”. Listen to the whole thing. BTW, Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1 (in Tomita’s electronic realization) is the theme for Jack Horkheimer, Star Gazer. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/9 "2008-02-13T20:57:23Z")
The Sunken Catherdral or Catherdral Elgontain (sp) by Debussy is my favorite piano work by him. I like Clair and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun played on piano as well. ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/10 "2008-02-13T21:10:29Z")
“Clair de Lune” and “Gymnopodie No. 1” are on this 2-disc compilation: [The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World…Ever!](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000I93Z/ref=s9_asin_title_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=1RG4B9BEGZCABCAX5GQX&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=320449101&pf_rd_i=507846) The other selections on the compilation may be what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/11 "2008-02-14T22:38:10Z")
You might like the orchestral works of Debussy and Ravel, too. Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, La Mer, 3 Nocturnes, Iberia Ravel: Rapsodie Espagnole, Daphnis and Chloe ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/12 "2008-02-14T22:50:24Z")
[QUOTE=Walloon] When you say “song”, do you mean song as in a piece of music that is sung? Or do you just mean other pieces of music? [/QUOTE] I’m using the colloquial definition of “song”. I’m listening to some of the suggestions right now. I’ll return shortly with feedback. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/13 "2008-02-14T23:26:12Z")
Ok, first of all, let me say that I dislike OPs who ask for recommendations and then don’t provide any response. I’m going to try hard not to be “that guy”. **Solfy:** “Deux Arabesque No. 1” I’m a pretty big Debussy fan, so I’m familiar with this piece. I really like the recurring bit where he walks down on the high notes. I don’t find it quite as evocative as “Claire de Lune”, but it’s a very pretty piece all around. \*\*Slithy Tove: \*\* Ravel: “Pavane for a Dead Princess” - Not _bad_, but maybe a little slow for me. It just doesn’t grab me like “Claire de Lune,” although I liked it well enough once it got going. I’ve never listened to much Ravel, however, so I appreciate the rec. Satie: “Gnossiennes” - I’m familiar with these pieces - I really do like Satie, but these have never excited me as much as the “Gymnopedies”. Faure: “Sicilienn” - Now THIS I really liked. Can’t tell you exactly why yet, but as soon as I put my finger on it, I’ll get back to you. Saint-Saens: “Aquarium” - Yes, quite ubiquitous, but I really like it. I have been a fan of the Carnival of the Animals since I was tiny. **Robot Arm:** Yep, I’ve seen them. 😉 **rowrrbazzle:** Ravel: “Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty” - I’d actually heard this one before (from way back). Again, like the other Pavane, just a little bit slow for me. Ravel: “Miroirs” - working my way through it, I’ll let you know. Ravel: “Valses Nobles et Sentimentales” - I like this a lot. I’m searching for a good version right now. Any recommendations? Other Debussy works: Like I said upthread, I’m a pretty big Debussy fan. I’m fairly familiar with most of his works. I enjoy most everything. Other Ravel: Since there were so many Ravel recs in this thread, I’m going to spend some time listening to his stuff. \*\*Zebra: \*\*Debussy: “Sunken Cathedral” - great work. Love when it gets going. Debussy: “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” - very relaxing piece. Again, not quite as evocative for me, but I like it. **bytheway:** I’ll look into that CD, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/14 "2008-02-14T23:29:19Z")
:eek: Not a song, but I just painted our master bedroom, “claire de lune” (that’s the name of the paint! It’s a light caramel color). :eek: ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/15 "2008-02-15T00:11:48Z")
I would guess that you’d probably like Steve Reich quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/16 "2008-02-15T00:38:56Z")
I’d try some of Chopin’s Nocturnes. Not nearly as impressionistic and abstract as Debussy, but as a kid I always loved both of these composers. [Here’s Op 9 No 1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFhaBEtmHeU) [Here’s Op 9 No 2](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxS_bJ0yOU) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/17 "2008-02-15T00:52:38Z")
[QUOTE=Slithy Tove] “Pavane for a Dead Princess?” [/QUOTE] Is that the one about the defunct infant? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/18 "2008-02-15T01:03:42Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] Is that the one about the defunct infant? [/QUOTE] Well, yeah, only because _“Pavane pour une infante défunte”_ sounds nicer than “Dead Princess.” - just like "Claire de Lune’ sounds nicer than “Clear the Saloon.” ---
**Author:** ![petew83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/19 "2008-02-15T05:05:58Z")
Claire de Lune is actually the 3rd part of the ‘Suite bergamasque.’ I also like ‘Reverie’ a lot by him. It sounds like u like songs with a dreamy feel. How about the theme from 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?" ---
**Author:** ![petew83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450/20 "2008-02-15T05:25:19Z")
sorry just wanted to add that the Glenn Miller version of this song is AMAZING [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-recommendations-based-on-debussys-claire-de-lune/437450.md?page=2)