Erik Satie Trois Gymnopedies

* The Gymnopédies, published in Paris starting in 1888, are three piano compositions written by French composer and pianist Erik Satie.
These short, atmospheric pieces are written in 3/4 time, with each sharing a common theme and structure. Collectively, the Gymnopédies are regarded as an important precursor to modern ambient music — gentle yet somewhat eccentric pieces which, when composed, defied the classical tradition.[citation needed] For instance, the first few bars of Gymnopédie No. 1 consist of an alternating progression of two major seventh chords, the first on the subdominant, G, and the second on the tonic, D.
The melodies of the pieces use deliberate, but mild, dissonances against the harmony, producing a piquant, melancholy effect that matches the performance instructions, which are to play each piece "painfully", "sadly" or "gravely".
From the second half of the 20th century on, the Gymnopédies were often erroneously described as part of Satie's body of furniture music, perhaps because of John Cage's interpretation of them.

* Éric Alfred Leslie Satie (pronounced: [eʁik sati]) (signed his name Erik Satie after 1884) (17 May 1866, Honfleur -- 1 July 1925, Paris) was a French composer and pianist. Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde. His work was a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, repetitive music, and the Theatre of the Absurd.
An eccentric, Satie was introduced as a "gymnopedist" in 1887, shortly before writing his most famous compositions, the Gymnopédies. Later, he also referred to himself as a "phonometrician" (meaning "someone who measures sounds") preferring this designation to that of a "musician", after having been called "a clumsy but subtle technician" in a book on contemporary French composers published in 1911.
In addition to his body of music, Satie also left a remarkable set of writings, having contributed work for a range of publications, from the dadaist 391 to the American culture chronicle Vanity Fair. Although in later life he prided himself on always publishing his work under his own name, in the late nineteenth century he appears to have used pseudonyms such as Virginie Lebeau and François de Paule in some of his published writings.

[MrOrikooo]

I was just watching my daughter in my arms, who is 1 week old while listening to this. Life just became a new meaning for me.

[jadabug]

I remember sitting in science class 5th grade year, reading a book about mummies when the teacher was playing this piece, it wasn’t a exciting memory but yet I still feel nostalgic every time I hear it.

[k_mack]

My god. Words aren’t capable of describing. What a beautiful piece. How can just a few notes and sounds produce such a profound feeling of homesickness and loss and melancholy. Music truly is something more than humans are capable of interpreting.

[JATP_]

What I love about Satie is that he wrote music for ambient purposes like it is meant to be played in a cafe while everyone is eating or chatting. I listen to the gymnopedies while studying. :)

[TheExpendableGuard]

I feel a strange mix of calm and sorrow when I hear this, like, that feeling when someone you know is going to die and yet, you're not sad they're dying, but you're relieved they are not suffering anymore.

[xmochilove]

I remember having a hard time adjusting to my new school and making friends. I was sitting by myself in a classroom on the second floor of my school looking out the window staring at the sky that had altocumulus clouds that looked like cotton. Someone in the music room on the first floor was playing this and instantly I felt at peace - that moment was so surreal for me

[jy]

Painting is "Moonlight on the Sound" by Frederick Childe Hassam.

[Balonious_Crunk]

No words can truly describe how this piece makes me feel.

[diouranke]

He was 22 when he wrote this. Can you imagine being so
poised and having such boldness in a composition when you're only 22?

[kbirby]

Hearing these pieces just makes me feel like, "ive been there, and i miss it". Unsure if its nostalgic or yearning for a dream i never had, these pieces just hit a certain spot

[toastedbagels]

This song just forces me to be quiet, but not in a demanding way and in a calming way.

[chrisgabele]

Does anybody else have that sense of Nostalgia or remembering when listening to this?

[minrui]

This is one of the most beautiful pieces ever made!

[aangranaa]

This song sounds like change. Change that you’re scared to make, change that maybe you don’t want to make, but change that’s good for you. Change that has the ability to make your life so much better than it is now. This song sounds scared of the change, but it’s looking forward to the future.

[jamesquebral]

The picture goes perfectly with the music. A truly beautiful piece of art.

[Cyrusman]

This was one of the songs that we played to my dog during her last hours today. I love you very much Jane

[claverbarreto]

God i was looking for this for so so long. listened when i was a child and never forgot, so glad im alive right now.

[ericlegrand]

So melancholic at 22 !
It remains a masterpiece of the genre.

[whatsfordinner]

I love listening to this while im sad because the earliest measures help me just soak in my misery, but the rest of the composition is so abstract and it helps distract me somewhat from the negative thoughts clouding my mind.

[mxthegreat]

I rarely listen to classic music but when I do it’s in my car late at night. Yesterday I had to drive back from a specific workout at 12pm, it was hard raining and I decided to put classic music on. This song came in and I felt like I was in another dimension, the feeling of driving on the motorway, in the rain and with this song was out of this world. I’m really happy to have discovered this