- 1912-1915
Erik Satie was born May 17, 1866, in France, and he died on July 1, 1925 in Paris. As a composer, his unconventional, often witty style exerted a major influence on 20th-century music.
Satie studied at the Paris Conservatory, and later worked as a café pianist. About 1890 he became associated with the Rosicrucian movement and wrote several works under its influence, notably the Messe des pauvres (composed 1895; Mass of the Poor).
About 1917 the group of young composers known as “Les Six” adopted him as their leader. Later the School of Arcueil, a group including Darius Milhaud, Henri Sauguet, and Roger Désormiere, was formed in his honor.
On this recording we hear the following compositions by Satie:
Satie:
Trois Nouvelles Enfantines
Embryons desséchés
Heures séculaires et instantanées
Chapitres tournés en tous sens
Vieux Sequins et Vieilles Cuirasses
Les trois valses distinguées du précieux dégouté
L’Enfance de Ko-quo (Reccomandations maternelles)
Véritables préludes flasques (pour un chien)
Les Pantins dansent
Descriptions automatiques
Sports et Divertissements
Avant Dernières Pensées (Idylle, Aubade, Méditation)
Croquis et Agaceries d’un Gros Bonhomme en bois
Performed by the Orchestre Régional de Basse-Normandie, conducted by Jean-Pierre Wallez.
Here is pianist Aldo Ciccolini playing Satie’s well-known “Gymnopédie No. 1“:
And next, here is Satie’s enjoyable “La belle excentrique” for Duo pianists:
Finally, here is Erik Satie’s Gnossienne 1, performed by Otto Tolonen, guitar, at the Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, Helsinki, Finland. Mr. Talonen’s photo is at the top, left.
Tags: Erik Satie, Orchestre Régional de Basse-Normandie, Aldo Ciccolini, Otto Tolonen
