The music of Erik Satie haunts me. I’m always sad when the recording ends, and if I had nothing to do I could just listen to this piece (Gymnopedies 1) over and over again. The problem is, when it comes on, no work gets done: I’m entranced. I found this interesting interpretation on YouTube. The pianist takes it much slower than is typical. I don’t think I prefer this interpretation, but it is beautifully played nonetheless, and it’s interesting how he uses his right hand for some chords where many retain the left-hand pattern. Enjoy:
[youtube]zUJd_QPnuSU[/youtube]
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That was beautiful, but like you, I did wish the tempo was a little faster.
Yes…very nice (but I agree, too slow I think). Thank you very much for sharing here. I'm relatively new to Satie, having previously just heard an orchestral version of Gymnopedie 2 (sounds a lot like 1) on a "collection" CD. I think hearing this here might have inspired me to try to learn one of his pieces on piano. Thanks again! (I'm working on two Debussy ones now that will take me quite awhile yet, though!)
I just got in the mail yesterday the sheet music. I'm planning on teaching myself the Gymnopedies this week. An orchestral version sounds interesting – what CD is that from?
I'll be getting some sheet music myself soon as well. The CD I mentioned actually has orchestral versions of both G1 and G2. The CD I have is a Naxos label (8.553843) entitled "Berceuse." It's a quite nice collection of "Music of Peace and Calm" by various composers and orchestras. It appears that both these Satie recordings are also on another Naxos CD as well (8.550088).
Aside from the two albums that Michael mentioned
"Berceuse – Music of Peace and Calm" <http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code...
"French Festival" <http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code...
You can find other Satie works in the following Naxos recordings <http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Erik_Satie/2114...