Great complete set | Satie: L'Oeuvre Pour Piano | Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini ...

Highly original numbers, outstanding professional performance | Satie: L'Oeuvre Pour Piano | Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini

classical music:


	• Satie: L'Oeuvre Pour Piano Erik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini EMI Classics, 2002 average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

The Simple, the Sublime, and the Surreal

This collection makes for good listening. There is a great deal of variety and character (Oh, is there character!) to be found in the various pieces. While most people have likely heard one or more of Satie's Gymnopedies at the very least in the background music of a TV ad, this collection pulls together the rarely-heard piano pieces as well. One that I had been seeking, Vexations, is a short piece to be repeated 840 times.

The titles of the pieces bear witness to Satie's sense of humor, rebellion against conventions of the day, and his pleasure in the surreal. Translations help to enjoy the unusual titles (who could not love "Piece in the Form of a Pear"?), some of which are reminiscent of Magritte's monikers.

Aldo Ciccolini's performances are clear, with definite respect for the composer's works. There was a noticeable distinction between the tempi of the works that come "in threes", such as the Gymnopedies.

I found that this collection fit nicely on my iPod, allowing me to take it on the road and enjoy it wherever the mood struck me. In some cases, the juxtaposition of Satie's music with my whereabouts provided yet another dimension of surreal-ity that had to be savored. The fact that most of these piano pieces are brief lends them to shuffling with other styles.

While this collection is not for the casual listener to classical music, it does allow you to come into closer contact with one of the more unconventional minds of classical music. If you are serious about late 19th- or early 20th-century music, especially French music, or the influence of popular music on serious music, then this is not only for you, but a bargain as well.

for more information click here

Great complete set

This is the definitive Satie collection for piano. Well-recorded and well played. I am a fan of French Impressionism in all of its incarnations and appreciated getting a full set of Satie under one cover. However, not all of these interpretations are my favorites. The best Gnossienne, IMHO, is that of Reinbert de Leeuw. He takes it slow and draws everything out of that piece. Ciccolini's interpretation is rushed and not as melodic. However, the Ciccolini tempo works well on other pieces, such as the other Satie favorite, Gymnopédies.

All in all, this collection is well worth having for any Satie fan.

for more information click here

Highly original numbers, outstanding professional performance

The work is one of the few that that merits 10/10, for
various aspects. First, the highly original pieces, one
after another.

Secondly, the simply outstanding professional job, and interpretation
made of the original compositions, that, clearly, showed the composer
being incredibly ahead of his time, in matters of laying out his
music ideas and human expression through it.

Third, the product itself, comprehensive, exhaustive of Satie's opuses,
over the 5 CD's released in the 2 jewel cases, is simply unbeatable in
any other release, as far as I know, except maybe the DDD re-release
this decade. This remaster, of performances on the piano, from the 1970's,
is perfectly fine in terms of audio.

In fact, I've heard works from symphonies dating from the 1940's,
such as from Mussorgsky, or even, Russian composers works, that
are simply incredible when re-released on CD, as are those from Bartok,
or Stravinsky. This may come into play when deciding whether to go for
this boxset and not the DDD re-release from Aldo Ciccolini as well.

for more information click here

Pianist Aldo Ciccolini garnered lots of attention in the late 1960s and early 1970s when he recorded all of Erik Satie's original piano music for EMI. The cycle remains first choice for Satie fans, who certainly will welcome its first complete (as opposed to excerpted) reissue on CD. Ciccolini's interpretations are paradigms of expressive economy and directness, and happily eschew the "let's see how slow and important I can make these works" attitude that sometimes prevails among younger Satie practitioners. Ciccolini's diamond-edged sonority, sparkling technique, and willingness to accept the composer's high quirk quotient at face value further enhance these performances. While Ciccolini admirably overdubs himself in the piano duet works, one misses the added color and ensemble give and take gained from Ciccolini's digital remakes partnered by Gabriel Tacchino. For the price, though, Satie fans can hardly go wrong. Don't let EMI's French-only annotations prevent you from acquiring this classic cycle. Get it while you can. --Jed Distler

for more information click here

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

Tracks
Trois Gymnopedies: I. Lent Et Douloureux | Trois Gymnopedies: II. Lent Et Triste | Trois Gymnopedies: III. Lent Et Grave | Heures Seculaires Et Instantanees: I. Obstacles Venimeux | Heures Seculaires Et Instantanees: II. Crepuscule Matinal (De Midi) | Heures Seculaires Et Instantanees: III. Affolements Granitiques | Les Trois Valses Du Precieux Degoute: I. Sa Taille | Les Trois Valses Du Precieux Degoute: II. Son Binocle | Les Trois Valses Du Precieux Degoute: III. Ses Jambes | Avant-Dernieres Pensees: I. Idylle | Avant-Dernieres Pensees: II. Aubade | Avant-Dernieres Pensees: III. Meditation | Trois Gnossiennes: I. Lent | Trois Gnossiennes: II. Avec Etonnement | Trois Gnossiennes: III. Lent | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: Maniere De Commencement | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: Prolongation Du Meme | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: I. Lentement | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: II. Enleve | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: III. Brutal | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: En Plus | Trois Morceaux En Forme De Poire: Redite | Croquis Et Agaceries D'Un Gros Bonhomme En Bois: I. Tyrolienne Turque | Croquis Et Agaceries D'Un Gros Bonhomme En Bois: II. Danse Maigre (A La Maniere De Ces Messieurs) | Croquis Et Agaceries D'Un Gros Bonhomme En Bois: III. Espanana (Sorte De Valse) | Trois Nocturnes: I. Doux Et Calme | Trois Nocturnes: II. Simplement | Trois Nocturnes: III. Un Peu Movt | La Belle Excentrique, Fant Serieuse: I. Grande Ritournelle | La Belle Excentrique, Fant Serieuse: II. Marche Franco-Lunaire | La Belle Excentrique, Fant Serieuse: Valse Du Mysterieux Baiser Dans L'Oeil | La Belle Excentrique, Fant Serieuse: Cancan 'Grandmondain' | Descriptions Automatiques: I. Sur Un Vaisseau | Descriptions Automatiques: II. Sur Une Lanterne | Descriptions Automatiques: III. Sur Un Casque | Veritables Prlds Flasques: I. Severe Reprimande | Veritables Prlds Flasques: II. Seul A La Maison | Veritables Prlds Flasques: III. On Joue | Vieux Sequins Et Vieilles Cuirasses: I. Chez Le Marchand D'or (Venise XIIIe Siecle) | Vieux Sequins Et Vieilles Cuirasses: II. Danse Cuirassee (Periode Grecque) | Vieux Sequins Et Vieilles Cuirasses: III. La Defaite Des Cimbres (Cauchemar) | En Habit De Cheval: I. Choral | En Habit De Cheval: II. Fugue Litanique | En Habit De Cheval: III. Autre Choral | En Habit De Cheval: IV. Fugue De Papier | Sports Et Divertissements: Choral Inappetissant | Sports Et Divertissements: La Balancoire | Sports Et Divertissements: La Chasse | Sports Et Divertissements: La Comedie Italienne (A La Napolitaine) | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Reveil De La Mariee | Sports Et Divertissements: Colin-Maillard | Sports Et Divertissements: La Peche | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Yachting | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Bain De Mer | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Carnaval | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Golf | Sports Et Divertissements: La Pieuvre | Sports Et Divertissements: Les Courses | Sports Et Divertissements: Les Quatre Coins | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Pique-nique | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Water-chute | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Tango | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Traineau | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Flirt | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Feu D'artifice | Sports Et Divertissements: Le Tennis | Chapitres Tournes En Tous Sens: I. Celle Qui Parle Trop | Chapitres Tournes En Tous Sens: II. Le Porteur De Grosses Pierres | Chapitres Tournes En Tous Sens: III. Regrets Des Enfermes (Jonas Et Latude) | Apercus Desagreables: I. Pastorale | Apercus Desagreables: II. Choral | Apercus Desagreables: III. Fugue | Embryons Desseches: I. D'Holothurie | Embryons Desseches: II. D' Edriophtalma | Embryons Desseches: III. De Podophtalma | Trois Sarabandes: No.1 | Trois Sarabandes: No.2 | Trois Sarabandes: No.3 | Prlds Flasques: I. Voix D'interieur | Prlds Flasques: II. Idylle Cynique | Prlds Flasques: III. Chanson Canine | Prlds Flasques: IV. Avec Camaraderie | Reverie De L'enfance De Pantagruel | Les Pantins Dansent | Passacaille (Oeuvre Posthume) | Le Piege De Meduse (Oeuvre Posthume): Quadrille/Valse/Pas Vite/Mazurka/Un Peu Vif/Polka/Quadrille | Menus Propos Enfantins: I. Le Chant Guerrier Du Roi Des Haricots | Menus Propos Enfantins: II. Ce Que Dit La Petite Princesse Des Tulipes | Menus Propos Enfantins: III. Valse Du Chocolat Aux Amandes | Enfantillages Pittoresques: I. Petit Prld A La Journee | Enfantillages Pittoresques: II. Berceuse | Enfantillages Pittoresques: III. Marche Du Grand Escalier | Peccadilles Importunes: I. Etre Jaloux De Son Camarade Qui A Une Grosse Tete | Peccadilles Importunes: II. Lui Manger Sa Tartine | Peccadilles Importunes: III. Profiter De Ce Qu'il A Des Cors Aux Pieds Pour Lui Prendre Son Cerceau | Pieces Froides, No.1 - Trois Airs A Faire Fuir: I. D'Une Maniere Particuliere | Pieces Froides, No.1 - Trois Airs A Faire Fuir: II. Modestement | Pieces Froides, No.1 - Trois Airs A Faire Fuir: III. S'inviter | Pieces Froides, No.2 - Danses De Travers: I. En Y Regardant A Deux Fois | Pieces Froides, No.2 - Danses De Travers: II. Passer | Pieces Froides, No.2 - Danses De Travers: III. Encore | Prld En Tapisserie | Trois Gnossiennes: No.4 Lent | Trois Gnossiennes: No.5 Modere | Trois Gnossiennes: No.6 Avec Conviction Et Avec Une Tristesse Rigoureuse | Nouvelles Pieces Froides: I. Sur Un Mur | Nouvelles Pieces Froides: II. Sur Un Arbre | Nouvelles Pieces Froides: III. Sur Un Pont | Premiere Pensee De La Rose+Croix | Sonneries De La Rose+Croix: I. Air De L'Ordre | Sonneries De La Rose+Croix: II. Air Du Grand Maitre | Sonneries De La Rose+Croix: III. Air Du Grand Prieur | Deux Reveries Nocturnes: I. Pas Vite (Revez Doucement) | Deux Reveries Nocturnes: II. Tres Moderement | Petite Ov A Danser | Quatre Prlds: I. Fete Donnee Par Des Chevaliers Normands En L'Honneur D'Une Jeune Demoiselle | Quatre Prlds: II. Prld D'Eginhard | Quatre Prlds: III. 1er Prld Du Nazareen | Quatre Prlds: IV. 2eme Prld Du Nazareen | Le Fils Des Etoiles, Wagnerie Kaldeenne Du Sar Peladan: Prld Du 1er Acte: La Vocation | Le Fils Des Etoiles, Wagnerie Kaldeenne Du Sar Peladan: Prld Du 2eme Acte: L'Initiation | Le Fils Des Etoiles, Wagnerie Kaldeenne Du Sar Peladan: Prld Du 3eme Acte: L'Incantation | Jack In The Box: I. Prld | Jack In The Box: II. Entracte | Jack In The Box: Final | Desepoir Agreable | Effronterie | Poesie | Prld Canin | Profondeur | Songe Creux | Prld De La Porte Heroique De Ciel | Musiques Intimes Et Secretes: Nostalgie | Musiques Intimes Et Secretes: Froide Songerie | Musiques Intimes Et Secretes: Facheux Exemple | Carnet D'esquisses Et De Croquis (Air - Essais - * - Notes - Notes - Le Prisonnier Maussade... | Premier Menuet | Nocturne No.4 | Nocturne No.5 | Trois Petites Pieces Montees: De L'Enfance De Pantagruel (Reverie) | Trois Petites Pieces Montees: Marche De Cocagne (Demarche) | Trois Petites Pieces Montees: Jeux De Gargantua (Colin De Polka) | Ogives: Premiere Ogive | Ogives: Deuxieme Ogive | Ogives: Troisieme Ogive | Ogives: Quatrieme Ogive | Danses Gothiques: No.1 A L'Occasion D'Une Grande Peine | Danses Gothiques: No.2 Dans Laquelle Les Peres De La Tres Veritable Et Tres Sainte Eglise Sont... | Danses Gothiques: No.3 En Faveur D'Un Malheureux | Danses Gothiques: No.4 A Propos De Saint-Bernard Et Sainte-Lucie | Danses Gothiques: No.5 Pour Les Pauvres Trespasses | Danses Gothiques: No.6 Ou Il Est Question Du Pardon Des Injures Recues | Danses Gothiques: No.7 Par Pitie Pour Les Ivrognes, Honteux Debauches, Imparfaits, Desagreables... | Danses Gothiques: No.8 En Le Haut Honneur Du Venere Saint-Michel, Le Gracieux Archange | Danses Gothiques: No.9 Apres Avoir Obtenu La Remise De Ses Fautes | Sonatine Bureaucratique | Poudre D'Or, Valse | Pages Mystiques: I. Priere | Pages Mystiques: II. Vexations | Pages Mystiques: III. Harmonies | Douze Petits Chorals