Erik Satie - Gymnopédies & Gnossiennes

0:00 Gymnopédies: 1. Lent et douloureux
3:31 Gnossiennes: 1. Lent
6:52 Gnossiennes: 3. Lent
9:33 Gnossiennes: 4. Lent
11:52 Gnossiennes: 5. Modéré

Alfred Eric Leslie Satie (Honfleur, 17 May 1866 -- Paris, 1 July 1925) was a French composer and pianist. Starting with his first composition in 1884, he signed his name as Erik Satie.

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 "phonometrograph" or "phonometrician" (meaning "someone who measures (and writes down) sounds") preferring this designation to that of "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 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.

Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde. He was a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, repetitive music and the Theatre of the Absurd.
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 Gymnopedies are regarded as the precursors to modern ambient music[citation needed] - gentle yet somewhat eccentric pieces which, when composed, defied the classical tradition. For instance, the first few bars feature a disjunct chordal theme in the bass - first, a G-major 7th in the bass, and then a B-minor chord, also in the lower register. Then comes the one-note theme in D major. Although the collection of chords at first seems too complex to be harmonious, the melody soon imbues the work with a soothing atmospheric quality.

Satie himself used the term "furniture music" to refer to some of his pieces, implying they could be used as mood-setting background music. However, Satie used this term to refer to only some of his later, 20th century compositions, without specific reference to the Gymnopédies as background music. 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 due to John Cage's interpretation of them.
Some of the paintings are from Édouard Cortès's

[jopabr]

For some reason I think this piece is what nostalgia sounds like. Not necessarily sad, but not quite happy either. Something in between, and a bit of both.

[paddywic]

This was on of my fathers favourite pieces, he played the record on Sunday mornings. As a child it stirred my imagination, especially around Christmas time. My Father died peacefully in his bed last week aged 88.

[mamboitaliano]

A long time ago, when I was around 13 years old, my Dad passed away and I became an orphan and went to an orphanage because I had no other relatives that could take care of me. When I turned 18 I left the orphanage and felt completely lost. No money, no job, no perspective. In my own city except for social workers I didn't know anyone. And I came back to live in the same old apartment where I used to live poor with my father. I remember him skipping meals and pretending like he is not hungry just so he could put more food on my plate. Then soon one day I came across a photo - it was me standing in front of our building smiling but with my hand out trying to tell the person who was taking the photo not to do it, but I was clearly happy. And I tried so hard to remember when the photo was taken and who took it but I just couldn't. When I listen to Satie I always think about that photograph and that boy, I am now almost 32 years old and Satie's music makes me dream of having a conversation with my younger self. I would love to tell that boy that it's ok to cry, it's ok miss your Dad so much that you don't won't to share that feeling with anyone, you want to keep it to yourself, that it's ok to feel lonely. I would love to tell him all that and much, much more..

[fducreux]

This video makes me miss a time and a place ive never been before

[saph]

moment of silence for anyone who ever went through their lives without finding this piece

[philosopherking]

Whoever had the genius idea of combining Gymnopèdie with Eduard Cortes’ paintings, deserves to win the Internet. There are now enough of these videos for it to be a thing.

Cortes’ lived a long life and I love how you can see the growth of Paris through his paintings; from horse drawn carriages to sleek 1950s Buicks. If you look closely, in almost every picture there is a woman and a young girl (who grows into a young lady in later pictures) waking side by side. They were his wife and daughter.

I had the pleasure of visiting Paris for the first time last summer. I was excited, but having heard so much about it all my life, I expected it to be nice but underwhelming. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I absolutely loved Paris. And contrary to the stereotype, the vast majority of Parisians were lovely people. Thank you Satie, thank you Cortes and thank you for to the righteous people on YouTube for posting these beautiful collages. It makes me think of the city I’m now in love with.

[BeasleyStreet]

If time stopped, this would be the soundtrack...

[Sameoldfitup]

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams..

[JoshDun]

Erik was his whole life alone and died alone... he HATED when people were listening to his music as he was making it to be played in a background to enhance the mood ... but this one feels like personal piece of his loneliness and sadness being alone, heavy drinking while his life went thru his fingers..

[LifeUnchainedMe]

They called him worthless and lazy in school. Little did they know, this beautiful piece and so many others would go on to touch so many lives.

[andyb]

One of those rare pieces of music that stops you in your tracks and put you straight into the moment...beautiful.

[AnneMLdell]

Greetings from Finland. I think, we who listen Erik Satie are deep feeling people. People who are not from this world. I think, ee are from stars ... and we are often sad, because we miss our homes ... in stars ... like Erik Satie.

[kissarococo]

My bf left me after 10 years because of his depression and Covid, my dad is dying of cancer and our cat was put to sleep today. This piece comforts me.

[marlonpereira]

Melancholy... Life is strange. The more happy moments you have, the more you feel sad that those moments are gone. But, most of all, you lived them! And this is the kind of music that brings up some melancholy, because you don't have those moments anymore, but you were lucky enough to had the chance to live them. Sad and happy, at the same time, for a time that passed by.

[Delg]

This song always reminds me of the next morning after one of the lowest points in my life. It gives me hope, clears my tears, and creates such peace.

[petitor_veritatis]

Satie was a heavy drinker and you can hear his depression in certain pieces like this one. You can hear regret and longing.

[emmawilcock]

When I need to find a calm place I play Erik Satie this music helps me through difficult times. All the best everyone xo

[hmro]

I am English, I was born in Manchester and I live in London, but I must admit that Paris is exceptionally beautiful! I will never get tired of going!
Although the cars, the clothes, the people have changed, the same magic continues, the same beauty, the same streets full of charm, luxury and poetry!!

[msvd]

The sadness will last forever - Van Gogh

[Pitts_not_Pitty]

City life, that melancholy feeling of being in proximity to so many people and yet we still feel alone. The Velvet Gentleman knew the feeling all to well.