Two versions of Clair de Lune

ShiroKuro · 2026-08-17T10:25:26+00:00

I believer we talked in another thread about this version of Clair de Lune by Victor Borge, but I keep listening to it and I just absolutely love it. When I talked about it with my teacher at our last lesson, she said she thinks CdL is well within my playable range in terms of difficulty… I think she may be overestimating me but that remains to be seen… Anyway, here is the version by Borge, along with a more contemporary version by Rousseau. I’m struck by how different they sound. CdL is one of those pieces that I’ve always ”known” and liked but never was particularly interested in playing. But hearing the version by Borge just stayed with me and I decided to try to learn it. Hearing the version by Rousseau, it strikes me as very sterile. It's too precise, too clean, too sterile. And I don't really care if I ever listen to it again. Victor Borge's Clair de Lune, on the other hand, I am obsessed with. I can't listen to it enough. Victor Borge: Rousseau I’m also curious about what other people think about these two versions. I sort of wondered if Borge's style of playing here is not currently "in vogue" in the classical piano world, but I don't know because I don't really know what's "in vogue" (like, I don't know, how would Lang Lang or Yuja Wang play CdL?) Anyway I’m curious if anyone else has any thoughts about it. 🙂

BartK

ShiroKuro If you want to check out the hardest part it's the "En animant" section measures 37-42. The fingering is tricky especially at the tempo it's usually played. If you can manage that then the rest is easier.

ShiroKuro

BartK Ooh thanks for the tip! I will make sure to look at that section before my next lesson!

BTW I'm watching this video, Piano Lesson with French pianist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet on How to Play 'Clair de lune.' I have only watched the first half so far. It's not about fingering or those things, but more about the musicality and the structure of the piece. I have found it to be very helpful so far.

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