Classical Music Work of the Week - September 12, 2005

Erik Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1 is an enchanting piece of music. Its melancholy melody and drifting orchestrations are almost daydream like. There are many different orchestrations of this work ranging from solo piano to orchestra. (My favorite being the orchestra version - I have a great recording.) Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1 can be heard in movies like What Lies Beneath, The Paulbearer, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Corrina, Corrina.

Erik Satie composed Gymnopédie No. 1 in 1888. The word "gymnopédie" is largely defined as a "dance accompanied by song and nude Spartan dancers." However, historians have not agreed whether the dancers were male or female, or even nude at all. Satie was thought to be inspired by the word in the verse of a poem by Latour, printed with the music of the Gymnopédie No. 1 when it was published in "La musique des familles" in August of 1888. Again, historians do not rule out the fact that it may have been Latour who was inspired by Satie's use of the word. It can be agreed upon that the word's exoticness and sensuality were quite appealing to both Satie and Latour.

Recommended Recordings

• Romantic Adagios - orchestra
• Satie: Popular Piano Works - piano

  Stop by the classical music forum to post your opinions on Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1 as well as your favorite recordings.