Dazzling, seismic works associated with the Dada, Cubist and Surrealist art movements, as well as his celebrated Furniture Music.
The first disc is the truly monumental landmark Vexations. The score is just three lines long, yet a complete performance (840 repetitions) may last for anything between fourteen and twenty-eight hours. First performed under the supervision of John Cage in 1963, by a relay of pianists including John Cale. Pianists who have attempted too many repetitions of the motif are said to have complained of hallucinations, evil thoughts, and an alarming inability to remember the melody. This meditative 70 minute rendition entails forty repetitions.
The second disc is Dadaist, including music used by Francis Picabia, Tristan Tzara, Kurt Schwitters, and Rene Clair.
The third collects his collaborations with Pablo Picasso: music for ballets, and an ‘organ diversion’.
The fourth includes Sports et divertissements. Satie said he put ‘everything I know about Boredom’ into its Bach-style chorale. Also his legendary, rarely spotted Musique d’Ameublement: five disparate pieces Intended to be heard in the background, rather than actually listened to, with inestimable influence on Brian Eno, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, Apex Twin…
‘It’s not a question of Satie’s relevance,’ said Cage. ‘He’s indispensable.’
A tremendous collection, with a 32 page booklet.