Erik Satie (1866-1925)

Donald Macleod explores the life of maverick composer Erik Satie, the inventor of “furniture music”, whose innovations delighted and divided France. Satie's compositions – and their peculiar annotations – were a revolution, paving the way for a new generation of musical rebels, including Les Six. He was just as odd in his day-to-day life, known for his quirky fashion and dramatic outbursts, he always kept a hammer in his pocket for fear of muggers and once even founded his own church.

Music Featured:

Allegro Valse-ballet Fantaisie-valse Chanson hongroise Untitled (Première pensée Rose+Croix) Ogives Sarabandes Gymnopédies Vexations Trois Gnossiennes Le Fils des étoiles Danses gothiques Prélude de la porte héroïque du ciel Pièces froides Je te veux La Diva de l’Empire Trois morceaux en forme de poire En habit de cheval Sports et divertissements Enfantillages pittoresques (No 1, Petit prélude à la journée) Descriptions automatiques Parade Musique d’ameublement Socrate (Mort de Socrate) Nocturnes Ludions Trois Mélodies Mercure Relâche, Pt. 1 (No 10, Final) Enfantines: Menus propos enfantins Enfantines: Peccadilles importunes

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Erik Satie (1866-1925) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002dy5k

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z