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Introduction
The
following tutorial is based on Gymnopédie No
1 by the French composer Erik Satie (1866-1925). It is from
a set of three short piano pieces composed in 1888, entitled Trois
Gymnopédies.
The term gymnopédie originally referred to a
ceremonial dance performed in ancient Sparta, by unarmed men.
The Gymnopédie by Erik Satie have been a source of
inspiration for many performers and composers. This tutorial
focuses on Gymnopédie No 1, and explores,
analyses and compares a number of works which have drawn on Satie's Gymnopédie for
inspiration. It also includes some suggestions for developing
your own composition based on Gymnopédie No.1.
Gymnopédie
No 1 as inspiration
Musicians
have always drawn inspiration from what has come before. The use
of one composer's material as the basis for another's unique and
original work is not new.
Satie's Gymnopédie have been
the source of inspiration for many composers. They include:
| Stanley Myers | 'Sarabande' from The Deerhunter soundtrack |
| Peggy Glanville-Hicks | Three Gymnopédie |
| John Adams | 'Manny's Gym' from Century Rolls |
| Colin Brumby | Chiaroscuro (2nd movement) |
| Blood Sweat & Tears | 'Variations on a theme by Erik Satie' (Blood Sweat & Tears, second album) |
| Jacques Loussier Trio | 'Satie' from Jacques Loussier Plays Satie |
This tutorial looks at the last four of these settings.
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