The French composer Erik Satie (1866–1925) was an eccentric character, whose large output of small pieces with ironic titles, mostly for solo piano, marked him out as the ideal anti-Romantic and his compositions were seen by some as an antidote to the large-scale and grandiose works by other contemporary composers, especially Richard Wagner. Satie’s output, including his ballets and stage works, were a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, repetitive music, and the Theatre of the Absurd. Satie’s most famous piano miniatures – Trois Gymnodédies and Six Gnossiennes – are included here, together with a number of his other highly individual compositions.

Artists

Aldo Ciccolini (piano), Anne Queffélec (piano), Pierre Dervaux - Orchestre De Paris, Catherine Collard (piano), Aldo Ciccolini - Yan Pascal Tortelier, Yan Pascal Tortelier (violin), Jean Laforge - Choeur René Duclos - Gaston Litaize - Pierre Dervaux, Choeurs Rene Duclos (second vocals), Gaston Litaize (second vocals), Jean Laforge (lead vocals), Pierre Dervaux (second vocals), Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Orchestre de Paris, Ensemble Erwartung, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, Michel Plasson, John Lanchbery, Bernard Desgraupes