Few piano pieces have had such an impact beyond the classical world as Claude Debussy’s »Clair de Lune«, with its world-famous melody being one of the most beloved piano works ever written. In this »Elbphilharmonie Session«, the German-Italian pianist Sophie Pacini turns her attention to this dreamlike classic, performing it in the softly illuminated, intimate atmosphere of the Elbphilharmonie Kaistudio.
The artist
The German-Italian pianist Sophie Pacini made her debut on the concert stage at just eight years old. A good ten years later, she graduated from the Mozarteum Salzburg‘s Institute for Encouragement of Talented Students, and has since been steadily rising to prominence on the international concert scene. She now performs in renowned venues including the Berliner Philharmonie, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. As a soloist, the award-winning musician has appeared with leading ensembles such as the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Dresden Philharmonic. She also has a close artistic friendship with the legendary pianist Martha Argerich and they perform together regularly in joint concerts.
A very special project close to Sophie Pacini‘s heart is her own festival, »Nuancen«, founded in 2023 and held in her Bavarian home town of Aying. Music education – for both children and adults – is equally important to her: she creates new concert and broadcast formats for radio and television, like the »Musiksprechstunde« on the SWR channel and »Das geheime Leben der Tonarten« for the Deutschlandfunk radio station.
Her albums »In Between« (2018), »Rimembranza« (2020) and »Puzzle« (2022) all stormed straight into the top ten of the German classical charts. Debussy’s »Suite bergamasque« featuring »Clair de Lune« features on her latest hit album, »bittersweet« (2025).
The evening before filming the »Elbphilharmonie Session«, Sophie Pacini gave her recital debut in the Elbphilharmonie Recital Hall. Forming part of the popular »Pianomania« series, she thrilled her audience with a wide-ranging programme centred around the mazurka – the theme of the 2025/26 »Pianomania« season.
About the music
Claude Debussy was only 20 years old when he composed his »Suite bergamasque« in 1890. At the time, the French composer could hardly have imagined that this piano suite would become one of his most celebrated works, thanks above all to its middle movement, »Clair de Lune«. Inspired by Paul Verlaine‘s poem of the same name, »Clair de Lune« evokes an enchantingly dreamy moonlit night in soft, pastel-coloured soundscapes. This early impressionist movement is now also known as the soundtrack to films such as Walt Disney‘s »Fantasia« and the »Twilight Saga«.
The location
In earlier times, merchandise used to be loaded from ships through cargo hatches directly into the quayside storehouse or »Kaispeicher«. Nowadays, this building houses the Kaistudios, which are home to the Elbphilharmonie World of Instruments and a wide range of music education programmes. The biggest of the studios is Kaistudio 1, the Elbphilharmonie's third hall, where concerts, talks, experimental music and workshops for up to 150 people take place.
Production:
Udo Potratz Sound
Jasper Techel Director of Photography
Gert Seggewiss Camera Assistant
Jonah Hollwege Drone
Alexander Trattler Visual Effects
Julian Conrad Edit
Julika von Werder Production Management
About the series
Artists record exclusive music videos at the Elbphilharmonie and the Laeiszhalle for Elbphilharmonie Sessions – sometimes in unusual locations offstage. Discover the concert halls from the inside. Discover what they sound like.
