Great Composers in Words and Music: Erik Satie

Introduction

3 Sarabandes: No. 2, "à Maurice Ravel" (Excerpt)

On 16 January 1911, French Composer Maurice Ravel…

Gnossiennes: No. 3, Lent (Excerpt)

An Extract from the Third Movement of Satie’s Gnossiennes…

Valse-Ballet (Excerpt)

The Valse-Ballet Was Not Only Satie’s First Substantial Piece…

4 Ogives: No. 1, Première Ogive

In November 1886, Satie Left the Conservatoire…

3 Gymnopédies: No. 3, Lent et grave (Arr. C. Debussy for Orchestra) [Excerpt]

In the Spring of 1890, Satie Moved Higher Up…

3 Sonneries de la Rose+Croix: No. 1, Air de l'ordre (Version for Piano) [Excerpt]

On 14 August 1892, After a Short but Intense Period…

Vexations (Excerpt)

Satie’s Outward Appearance Was Soon to Change…

3 Morceaux en forme de poire (Excerpt)

The Pear Pieces, Finished in November 1903…

En habit de cheval: No. 2, Fugue litanique (Excerpt)

1911, of Course, Was the Year of the Breakthrough Concert…

Sports et divertissements: No. 1, Choral inappétissant

The Commission of Sports et divertissements…

Parade: IV. Petite fille américaine (Excerpt)

There Was Quite a Commotion at Parade’s Premiere…

Musique d'ameublement, Set 1: No. 1, Tapisserie en fer forgé (Arr. for Piano 4 Hands)

Curiously, the Function of Satie’s Musique d’ameublement…

Mercure, Scene 3: Le Chaos

Mercure, Like Parade, Created Quite a Stir on Its Premiere…

Relâche, Act I: Cinéma (Excerpt)

In a Sense, Critics’ Response to Relâche…

Relâche, Act II: Petite danse finale; La queue du chien (Excerpt)