Always inventive and innovation-seeking, Erik Saties earliest works show traces of Chopin as an influence but he soon came to reject virtuosity and tradition, choosing instead to remain with the quintessentially French traits of simplicity, clarity, precision, elegance and economy. Saties hauntingly beautiful floating melodies and modal tonalities are unforgettably compelling, combining bygone classical ages with Parisian sophistication. This landmark recording uses both a new and corrected edition of Saties music and Cosima Wagners own 1881 Erard piano, his instrument maker of choice.
Works:
• Satie: Allegro (1884)
Satie: Chanson hongroise
Satie: Fantaisie-Valse
Satie: Gnossienne No. 4
Satie: Gnossienne No. 5
Satie: Gnossienne No. 7
Satie: Le Fils des Étoiles
Satie: Leit-motiv du 'Panthée'
Satie: Ogives (4)
Satie: Première pensée Rose & Croix
Satie: Quartet No. 1 (sketch)
Satie: Quartet No. 2 (sketch)
Satie: Six Gnossiennes
Satie: Sonneries de la Rose et Croix
Satie: Trois Gymnopédies
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 2
Satie: Gymnopédie No. 3
Satie: TroisSarabandes
Satie: Valse-Ballet