Customer Reviews

Orchestral Works

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Erik Satie, a name that should be mentioned when people talk of Bach, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, etc...

This is a fine compilation that displays Satie's range; from sweeping ballads of grand design to soft winds and strings.

The Gymnopedie (oddly presented minus No. 2) were Satie's most famous works and they are orchestrated beautifully by Satie's contemporary countryman (and my personal favorite composer) Claude Debussy, even if the recording is a bit less than perfect.

But there is so much more to this 19th and 20th century composer that goes unknown. This album is a wonderful display across Satie's long reaching grasp of the artform of orchestration.

"En habit de cheval", is a wonder, a glorious tribute to the workings of the winds with light strings and booming brass, a truly melancholy experience that is satisfying and spiritual in it's intricate interplay between the various sections of the orchestra.

"Relache" is a moving piece that can lift the spirit with it's quick pace and upbeat style.

"Gnossiene No. 3" is a beautiful experience, opens with hauntingly light string work and crescendoes with abundant strings; The Gnossiene are most likely his best work aside from the Gymnopedie.

"La Belle Exentrique", "Cinq Grimaces" and "Le Picadilly" round out the album nicely.

This is a wonderful introduction to the music of Satie. The orchestrations of his piano works is respectful and tasteful and the interpretations of his orchestrated works is well done as well.