Although it was only published in 1905, Debussy made it clear that this was an early work by writing the date of composition “1890” on the proofs. He had sold the manuscript, now lost, to the publisher Choudens in 1890 without it actually being published. Yet the delayed publication date shows that Debussy was still very convinced of the value of the work. The composition has four movements and became popular in particular on account of the slow movement Clair de lune (HN 391), which seems to evoke the atmosphere of a moonlit night with its particular aura. Countless transcriptions for various groups of instruments demonstrate the unbroken popularity of the piece, but also of the complete suite.
儘管這首作品直到1905年才正式出版,但德布西在校樣上標註了創作日期“1890”,表明這是他的早期作品。他早在1890年就將手稿(現已遺失)賣給了出版商Choudens,但當時並未出版。然而,出版日期的延遲表明德布西仍然對這部作品的價值充滿信心。這首作品共有四個樂章,尤其以慢樂章《月光》(HN 391)而聞名,該樂章以其獨特的氛圍,彷彿描繪了月光下的夜晚。無數不同樂器組合的改編版本,不僅證明了這首作品的經久不衰,也證明了整部組曲的魅力。