Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Sarabandes (3) for piano: 1ère Sarabande
2. Sarabandes (3) for piano: 2ème Sarabande
3. Sarabandes (3) for piano: 3ème Sarabande
4. Gymnopédies (3), for piano (also orchestrated by Debussy): 1ère Gymnopédie
5. Gymnopédies (3), for piano (also orchestrated by Debussy): 2ème Gymnopédie
6. Gymnopédies (3), for piano (also orchestrated by Debussy): 3ème Gymnopédie
7. Gnossiennes (6), for piano: 5ème Gnossienne
8. Gnossiennes (6), for piano: 1ère Gnossienne
9. Gnossiennes (6), for piano: 2ème Gnossienne
10. Gnossiennes (6), for piano: 3ème Gnossienne
11. Gnossiennes (6), for piano: 4ème Gnossienne
12. Gnossiennes (6), for piano: 6ème Gnossienne
13. Gnossienne for piano No. 7
14. Petite ouverture à danser, for piano
15. Pièces froides (Cold Pieces), pieces (6) for piano: Airs à faire fuir I
16. Pièces froides (Cold Pieces), pieces (6) for piano: Airs à faire fuir II
17. Pièces froides (Cold Pieces), pieces (6) for piano: Airs à faire fuir III
18. Pièces froides (Cold Pieces), pieces (6) for piano: Danses de travers I
19. Pièces froides (Cold Pieces), pieces (6) for piano: Danses de travers II
20. Pièces froides (Cold Pieces), pieces (6) for piano: Danses de travers III
21. The Dreamy Fish (Le poisson rêveur), incidental music for piano
22. The Angora Ox, for piano (reconstructed by Johny Fritz)

Disc 2:

1. Valse-ballet, for piano
2. Fantaisie-valse, for piano
3. Fête donnée par des chevaliers normands en l'honneur d'une jeune demoiselle, for piano
4. Ogives (4), for piano: Ogive I
5. Ogives (4), for piano: Ogive II
6. Ogives (4), for piano: Ogive III
7. Ogives (4), for piano: Ogive IV
8. Première pensée Rose + Croix, for piano
9. Leitmotiv du Panthée, for piano
10. Sonneries de la Rose + Croix, for piano: Air de l'Ordre
11. Sonneries de la Rose + Croix, for piano: Air du Grand Maître
12. Sonneries de la Rose + Croix, for piano: Air du Grand Prieur
13. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 1. À l'occasion d'une grande peine
14. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 2. Dans laquelle les Pères de la très véritable et très sainte-Église sont invoqués
15. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 3. En faveur d'un malheureux
16. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 4. À propos de Saint Bernard et de Sainte Lucie
17. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 5. Pour les pauvres Trépassés
18. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 6. Où il est question du pardon des injures reçues
19. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 7. Par pitié pour les ivrognes, honteux, débauchés, imparfaits, désagréables, et faussaires en tous
20. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 8. En le haut honneur du vénéré Saint Michel, le gracieux archange
21. Danses gothiques (9), for piano: 9. Après avoir obtenu la remise de ses fautes
22. Pages mystiques (3), for piano: Vexations
23. Modéré, for piano
24. Verset laïque et somptueux, for piano
25. Je te veux (I Want You), café-concert song for voice & piano
26. Tendrement, valse chantée for voice & piano
27. Poudre d'or (Gold Dust), for piano
28. La diva de l'Empire, song for voice & piano
29. Le Piccadilly, march for piano
30. La belle excentrique, 'serious fantasy' for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands): Légende californienne
31. La belle excentrique, 'serious fantasy' for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands): 1. Marche franco-lunaire
32. La belle excentrique, 'serious fantasy' for orchestra (or piano, 4 hands): 2. Valse du "Mystérieux baiser dans l'œil"

Disc 3:

1. Passacaille, for piano
2. Prélude en tapisserie, for piano
3. Fugue-valse, for piano
4. Nouvelles pièces froides (New Cold Pieces), for piano: 1. Sur un mur
5. Nouvelles pièces froides (New Cold Pieces), for piano: 2. Sur un arbre
6. Nouvelles pièces froides (New Cold Pieces), for piano: 2. Sur un pont
7. Fâcheux example, counterpoint excercise for piano
8. Désespoir agréable, counterpoint excercise for piano
9. Deux choses: 1. Effornterie, 2. Poésie, for piano: Effronterie
10. Deux choses: 1. Effornterie, 2. Poésie, for piano: Poésie
11. Profondeur, minuet excercise for piano
12. Songe-creux, minuet excercise for piano
13. Le prisonnier maussade, minuet excercise for piano
14. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 1
15. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 2
16. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 3
17. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 4
18. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 5
19. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 6
20. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 7
21. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 8
22. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 9
23. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 10
24. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 11
25. Petits chorals (12), for piano: Choral no. 12 (Petite sonate)
26. Prélude canin, for piano
27. Work(s): Arrière-propos
28. L'enfance de Ko-Quo, for piano: 1. Ne bois pas ton chocolat avec tes doigts
29. L'enfance de Ko-Quo, for piano: 2. Ne souffle pas dans tes oreilles
30. L'enfance de Ko-Quo, for piano: 3. Ne mets pas ta tête sous ton bras
31. Nouvelles pièces enfantines, pieces (3) for piano: 1. Le vilain petit Vaurien
32. Nouvelles pièces enfantines, pieces (3) for piano: 2. (Berceuse)
33. Nouvelles pièces enfantines, pieces (3) for piano: 3. La gentille toute petite Fille
34. Menus propos enfantins (Childish Chatter), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 1. Le Chant guerrier du Roi des Haricots
35. Menus propos enfantins (Childish Chatter), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 2. Ce que dit la petite Princesse des Tulipes
36. Menus propos enfantins (Childish Chatter), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 3. Valse du Chocolat aux Amandes
37. Enfantillages pittoresques (Picturesque Childishness), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 1. Petit prélude à la journée
38. Enfantillages pittoresques (Picturesque Childishness), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 2. Berceuse
39. Enfantillages pittoresques (Picturesque Childishness), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 2. Marche du grand Escalier
40. Peccadilles importunes (Tiresome Peccadilloes), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 1. Être jaloux de son camarade qui a une grosse tête
41. Peccadilles importunes (Tiresome Peccadilloes), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 2. Lui manger sa tartine
42. Peccadilles importunes (Tiresome Peccadilloes), for piano (from 'Enfantines'): 3. Profiter de ce qu'il a des cors aux pieds pour lui
43. Nocturnes (5) for piano: 1er Nocturne
44. Nocturnes (5) for piano: 2ème Nocturne
45. Nocturnes (5) for piano: 3ème Nocturne
46. Nocturnes (5) for piano: 4ème Nocturne
47. Nocturnes (5) for piano: 5ème Nocturne
48. Nocturne for piano No. 6
49. Premier menuet, for piano
50. Rêverie de l'enfance de Pantagruel, for piano (arr. of 1st 'Petites pièce montées')
51. Cinéma: Entr'acte symphonique de Relâche, for orchestra (also piano; also arr. by Milhaud for piano, 4 hands)

Disc 4:

1. Préludes flasques; pour un chien (Flabby preludes; for a dog), for piano: 1. Voix d'intérieur
2. Préludes flasques; pour un chien (Flabby preludes; for a dog), for piano: 2. Idylle cynique
3. Préludes flasques; pour un chien (Flabby preludes; for a dog), for piano: 3. Chanson canine
4. Préludes flasques; pour un chien (Flabby preludes; for a dog), for piano: 4. Avec camaraderie
5. Véritables préludes flasques pour un chien (Truly Flabby Preludes for a Dog), for piano: 1. Sévère réprimande
6. Véritables préludes flasques pour un chien (Truly Flabby Preludes for a Dog), for piano: 2. Seul à la maison
7. Véritables préludes flasques pour un chien (Truly Flabby Preludes for a Dog), for piano: 3. On joue
8. Descriptions automatiques, for piano: 1. Sur un Vaisseau
9. Descriptions automatiques, for piano: 2. Sur un Lanterne
10. Descriptions automatiques, for piano: 2. Sur un Casque
11. Embryons desséchés (3 dried-up embryos), for piano: 1. D'Holothurie
12. Embryons desséchés (3 dried-up embryos), for piano: 2. D'Edriophthalma
13. Embryons desséchés (3 dried-up embryos), for piano: 3. De Podophthalma
14. Croquis et agaceries d'un gros bonhomme en bois (3 sketches and exasperations of a big wooden fellow), for piano: 1. Tyrolienne turqu
15. Croquis et agaceries d'un gros bonhomme en bois (3 sketches and exasperations of a big wooden fellow), for piano: 2. Danse maigre à l
16. Croquis et agaceries d'un gros bonhomme en bois (3 sketches and exasperations of a big wooden fellow), for piano: 3. EspaZaZa
17. Chapitres tournés en tous sens (Chapters turned every which way), for piano: 1. Celle qui parle trop
18. Chapitres tournés en tous sens (Chapters turned every which way), for piano: 2. Le Porteur de grosses pierres
19. Chapitres tournés en tous sens (Chapters turned every which way), for piano: 3. Regret des Enfermés
20. Vieux séquins et vieilles cuirasses (Old sequins and armor), for piano: 1. Chez le Marchand d'or (Venise XIIIe siècle)
21. Vieux séquins et vieilles cuirasses (Old sequins and armor), for piano: 2. Danse cuirassée (période grecque)
22. Vieux séquins et vieilles cuirasses (Old sequins and armor), for piano: 3. La défaite des Cimbres (Cauchemar)
23. Sports et divertissements (Sports and diversions), pieces (21) for piano
24. Heures séculaires et instantanées (Age-old and instantaneous hours), pieces (3) for piano: 1. Obstacles vénimeux
25. Heures séculaires et instantanées (Age-old and instantaneous hours), pieces (3) for piano: 2. Crépuscule matinal (de midi)
26. Heures séculaires et instantanées (Age-old and instantaneous hours), pieces (3) for piano: 3. Affolements granitiques
27. Les valses (3) distinguées du précieux dégoûté (3 distinguished waltzes of a disgusted dandy), for piano: Sa taille
28. Les valses (3) distinguées du précieux dégoûté (3 distinguished waltzes of a disgusted dandy), for piano: Son binocle
29. Les valses (3) distinguées du précieux dégoûté (3 distinguished waltzes of a disgusted dandy), for piano: Ses jambes
30. Avant-dernières pensées (Next-to-last thoughts), pieces (3) for piano: 1. Idylle
31. Avant-dernières pensées (Next-to-last thoughts), pieces (3) for piano: 2. Aubade
32. Avant-dernières pensées (Next-to-last thoughts), pieces (3) for piano: 3. Méditation
33. Sonatine bureaucratique, for piano: 1. Allegro
34. Sonatine bureaucratique, for piano: 2. Andante
35. Sonatine bureaucratique, for piano: 3. Vivache
36. Le fils des étoiles, Chaldean pastoral, 3 preludes for piano: Acte I Prélude. La Vocation
37. Le fils des étoiles, Chaldean pastoral, 3 preludes for piano: Acte II Prélude. L'Initiation
38. Le fils des étoiles, Chaldean pastoral, 3 preludes for piano: Acte III Prélude. L'Incantation

Disc 5:

1. Le Nazaréen, incidental music (2 preludes) for piano: 1er Prélude
2. Le Nazaréen, incidental music (2 preludes) for piano: 2ème Prélude
3. Eginhard, prelude for piano from incidental music
4. Uspud, Christian ballet in 3 scenes for piano (orchestrated by Canby): Premier Acte
5. Uspud, Christian ballet in 3 scenes for piano (orchestrated by Canby): Deuxième Acte
6. Uspud, Christian ballet in 3 scenes for piano (orchestrated by Canby): Troisième Acte
7. Prélude de La Porte héroïque du ciel (Prelude to 'The Heroic Gate of Heaven'), incidental music for piano (or orchestra)
8. Jack-in-the-Box, pantomime ballet for piano (orchestrated by Milhaud): Prélude
9. Jack-in-the-Box, pantomime ballet for piano (orchestrated by Milhaud): Entr'acte
10. Jack-in-the-Box, pantomime ballet for piano (orchestrated by Milhaud): Finale
11. La mort de Monsieur Mouche, prelude for piano from incidental music
12. Pousse l'Amour, operetta: Chanson andalouse
13. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 1. Quadrille
14. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 2. Valse
15. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 3. Gigue
16. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 4. Mazurka
17. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 5. Un peu vif
18. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 6. Polka
19. Le Piège de Méduse, dances for piano: 7. Quadrille
20. Les pantins dansent (The puppets dance), for piano
21. Grimaces (5) for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' incidental music: 1. Préambule
22. Grimaces (5) for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' incidental music: 2. Coquecigrue
23. Grimaces (5) for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' incidental music: 3. Chasse
24. Grimaces (5) for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' incidental music: 4. Fanfaronnade
25. Grimaces (5) for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' incidental music: 5. Retraite (pour sortir)
26. Parade, ballet in 1 scene for orchestra

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107219 in Music
• Released on: 2003-06-10
• Number of discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .51 pounds

Customer Reviews

good for completists, but...
I jumped at the chance to buy this set; a new digital recording of Satie's complete solo piano music. I had admired Jean-Yves Thibaudet in the past and had seen him perform Messiaen's "Turangalila Symphony"; a great performance. However, after listening to this set for three straight months, I'm rather frustrated with it, mostly on aesthetic grounds, since I can't deny Thibaudet's talents; I just disagree with some of his interpretations.

To start, most of the shorter, "lite" pieces are performed very well on disc 4. Even the most popular, (Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes) are excellent. I am also thankful I now have performances of "Uspud" and many of Satie's conservatory assignments, played expertly and with good humor. For these, the set is worth having.

But now, the bad news. As I have complained about in the past with Thibaudet's Ravel discs, I'm frankly rather put-off by his inexplicable, pointless staccato in many of the pieces. "Petite Overture a la Danser" is one of my favorite Satie miniatures, and here Thibaudet botches it by playing it way too fast with no pedal. It sounds like a joke, and I think he totally misses the point of the piece. In the "Nazareen" preludes, he adds his own extreme dynamics which are not indicated in the original scores, and the effect seems like a cheap attempt to add "spice" to what are supposed to be meditative sound constructions, based on poetry forms rather than classical forms.

"Prelude to the Heroic Gate of Heaven" is taken far too slow, and Thibaudet completely cuts out the "Curtain" coda in the original Salabert edition for no apparent reason; he seems determined to give the piece a more "proper" ending, and for this listener, it's a terrible, narcissistic, and disrespectful miscalculation.

I will keep this set since it is a complete document, flawed though it may be. But I still must insist that the best living interpreter of Satie's piano music is the ever-underrated Reinbert DeLeeuw, who is completely in-tune with Satie's sly magic. His tempos may be slow, his dynamics few, but that's the whole point; this is highly personal music, and DeLeeuw has an aesthetic I can personally agree with. For an audible explanation of what I'm talking about, compare the performances of "Petite Overture a la Danser" by DeLeeuw and Thibaudet, and you'll see what I mean.

complete but lacking
While I am a fan of Thibaudet in general, he just seems lost here. Satie is deceptively difficult to judge as a performer, the music is at times mercurial or static, profound or frivolous, or all of the above. Yet one hardly needs to underline the oddness, it's perfectly revealed if you play it straight.
While some misread notes suggest he may not really know these pieces, Thibaudet manages to project something less than a competent sight reading. In such an endeavor he would certainly get the right feel occasionally by accident. Instead, he regularly puts the wrong foot forward, with odd accents and effects getting in the way, perhaps trying too hard to add spin to music whose mysteries refuse to unfold under such duress.
I would recommend collecting a number of different performers: Reinbert DeLeeuw, Pascal Roge, Anne Queffelec, JoAnna MacGregor and Michel Legrand have all made worthy contributions to the recent discography and their combined recordings would make a pretty-near complete survey.

Yes, its worth five discs
Each disc averages about 75 minutes of music. Over six hours of Satie? Definitely yes. If you have an affinity for Satie's classic pieces you should not pass up this set. There are so many standout pieces in so many wonderful styles you can only leave this set with wonder. And Thibaudet seems made for this music. The best interpreter of Satie that I've heard. His technique is amazing with such a range of subtle fingering tempo and dynamics. Its as though I've heard some of these for the first time with new shocks of emotion I hadn't experienced before. Not to be missed.