Satie: Gnossiennes, Gymnopédies, Piano Works [Virgo]

I was introduced to Satie's piano music by my wife, who played me a scratched LP by Ciccolini when we were first going out in the late seventies. I had never heard music like it. A series of short piano pieces, some poignant, some witty, all deceptively simple but difficult to tire of. It was very different to the reggae that made up most of my listening at that time, and helped me re-assess what I valued and enjoyed in music. When our turntable was so worn it had to go to the great disco in the sky, I looked for a CD to replace the now very battered LP. I bought "The Magic of Satie" by Jean-Yves Thibaudet first. I liked his playing, but it didn't contain some of my favourite tracks, but had instead a number of lesser-known Satie compositions which I didn't think worked as well as his more famous ones. Now I've bought this CD to supplement it. The selection of tracks is excellent for someone who has no ambition to become a Satie expert, but who enjoys his unique style of composition. I feel the piano playing isn't quite as good as Ciccolini's, but maybe that's just nostalgia. Of the tracks common to this and the Thibaudet album I generally prefer Thibaudet's, but I don't know enough about piano playing to analyse why. What I would say is for the price of a couple of coffees you can buy 70 minutes of wonderful music, more than adequately played, which you will be enjoying for decades to come.

Just about enough for all but the Satie fanatic,here.I've had others playing these works,at far higher cost,and find these to be at least their equal,Queffelec seems to me an admirable interpreter,and the recording quality is as good as anyone could hope for.Quirky,unpredictable,oddly moving,Satie isn't Beethoven,Liszt,Chopin,or Schubert,but these miniature gems can,in the right hands,shine like diamonds.The "package" of included works adds variety,and never ceases to flow.All in all,a great,and sufficient,overview for those of us who want a representative sampling,without plumping for a (possible) overload.It all depends on how committed you are to Satie's music,in the final analysis,but I'm quite happy with this.

For me this low price collection has been a great introduction to Erik Satie's music. I knew the Gymnopedies, and the first Gnossienne is one of those pieces that often provides background. However, I have been intrigued by all the other works on the CD which seem simple yet slightly unsettling. The sleeve notes talk about him being an influence on Ravel, Debussy and Stravinsky, I can definitely hear the Ravel influence, and there seems to be some spikiness and dissonance that recall Stravinsky or even Prokofiev.

I love the music of Satie - and had an LP which I bought years ago. However, I like the convenience of CDs - no LP to turn over. Anne Queffélec is one of a number of fine French pianists - alongside Pascal Rogé and Jean-Yves Thibaudet. I already have another recording by Queffélec and she does not disppoint on this one. Highly recommended for any lover of Satie's music.

A truly wonderful CD. My family love Satie. Very relaxing and soothing. We often listen to it in the car and the atmosphere is very often one of calm and peace. So wonderfully heady and good for the soul, it puts my young children to sleep sometimes and can make the school run a time of reflection and inner peace. Incredibly serene and remarkably beautiful. Definitely one to buy if you love the works of Satie.

This was music which I thought I had already but when searchng for it on the shelf found it missing. I think maybe I had it on tape, most of which I have disposed of. I was pleased to be able to listen again to this piece which I have always enjoyed. Obviously haven't chosen to listen for some time but was nudged into looking for it by programmes on radio about Satie - all of which I enjoyed and found thought provoking. A good addition to my CD collection and a good performance.

Beautiful. I just love Satie and the melancholy of the slow ones. And I can actually play them (fairly) well on my piano which is a bonus.

Wonderfully relaxing music. The piano playing is very good and sounds effortlessly simple! Great value for the length of the CD.