Erik Satie ~1917~ Sonatine Bureaucratique

It was the nearest Satie came to pastiche, as well as an early example of quirky neo-classicism, which Stravinsky and the composers of "Les Six" soon adopted.

The marking "Vivache" (sic) for the Finale is a typical Satie joke. The passages in parallel fourths and fifths (like bars 33-36, 98-99 for the Finale) feature increasingly in Satie's later works.

pf: Jean-Yves Thibaudet

0:00 - 1. Allegro
0:55 - 2. Andante
1:55 - 3. Vivache

« Écrite sur des thèmes empruntés à Clementi.
Un simple prêt, pas plus...
Il ne faut voir là qu'une boutade -
toute petite.
Oui... Elle ne veut nullement attenter à la
réputation et à l'honorabilité dudit Clementi. »

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[PentameronSV]

0:00 - 1. Allegro
0:55 - 2. Andante
1:55 - 3. Vivache

[lifeonmars]

I love the fact that in the “allegro” the video says he rushes down the stairs and that’s what I imagined a man doing while listening to that part. Soo cool

[eriksatieofficiel]

1. Allegro

He's off.
He goes merrily to his office, "en se gavillant".
With a contented nod of his head.
He loves a pretty and very elegant lady.
He also loves his penholder, his cuffs of green lustring and his Chinese skull-cap.
He walks with long strides scrambles up the stairs three steps at a time.
What a rush!
As he seats himself in his armchair, he feels happy, and he shows it.

2. Andante

He muses over his promotion .
Perhaps he may get a raise without having to be promoted.
He intends to move next quarter.
He has his eye on a flat.
If only the raise or the promotion comes off.
Renewed contemplation of his prospects.
3. Vivache

He hums an old Peruvian tune which he has collected
in Lower Brittany with the aid of a deaf-and-dumb.
A neighboring pianist is playing Clementi
How sad it is.
He dares to waltz! (he, not the piano)
All that is very sad.
The piano renews its labour
Our friend interrogates himself benevolently.
The cold Peruvian air gets into his head.
The piano goes on.
Alas, it is time to leave his office, — his dear office.
'Courage, let's be off' says he.

[martyn]

I love the way he writes little coments throughout the piece!❤

[chasbodaniels]

The Tribune (Chicago) Content Agency Crossword Puzzle of 14-Oct-2021 brought me here, and I’m very pleased it did! Learned something today.

[thestletter]

Thank for sharing this interesting piece

[PentameronSV]

Thank you so much for posting this! Your channel is a gem...

[andremsz]

I’m not very into music, but Satie was indeed an eclectic musician.

[marcomalerba]

The allegro movement is very similar as Clementi's first sonatina

[joshscores]

One of my favorites of satie's works

[Albeit_Jordan]

Wow, I wouldn't have thought this was Satie.
Very nice.

[miravespania]

enccentric, electric. looking forward to playing this.

[FranzLiszt]

0:21 i can see the inspiration from clementi

[none]

Absolutely killed with writing the last moment

[twfreeride]

This is almost the exact same as clementi’s Sonatina in C major Op. 36 no. 1, just ten times as fast and difficult

[millennial]

More jokes about "standard musical forms". I confess: I really like it.

[eriksatieofficiel]

1. Allegro

Le voilà parti.
Il va gaiement à son bureau en se "gavillant".
Content, il hoche la tête.
Il aime une jolie dame très élégante.
Il aime aussi son porte-plume, ses manches
en lustrine verte et sa calotte chinoise.
Il fait de grandes enjambées ; se précipite
dans l'escalier qu'il monte sur son dos.
Quel coup de vent !
Assis dans son fauteuil il est heureux, et le fait voir.

2. Andante

Il réfléchit à son avancement.
Peut-être aura-t-il de l'augmentation sans avoir besoin d'avancer.
Il compte déménager au prochain terme.
Il a un appartement en vue.
Pourvu qu'il avance ou augmente !
Nouveau songe sur l'avancement.

3. Vivache

Il chantonne un vieil air péruvien qu'il a
recueilli en Basse-Bretagne chez un sourd-muet.
Un piano voisin joue du Clementi.
Combien cela est triste.
Il ose valser ! (Lui, pas le piano)
Tout cela est bien triste.
Le piano reprend son travail.
Notre ami s'interroge avec bienveillance.
L'air froid péruvien lui remonte à la tête.
Le piano continue.
Hélas ! Il faut quitter son bureau, son bon bureau.
Du courage : partons dit-il.

[leoruitol]

I am the only one who feeels Satie is laughing at Clementi sonatines?

[martyn]

0:00 1.allegro
0:55 2.andante
1:55 3. Vivache

[joycedelrosario]

I tried to read its history. The piece is meant for his "humoristic" compositions. No wonder why I found myself laughing while reading the sheet.