Mary E. Davis

This is a brief, breezy survey of a figure in music whose apparent breeziness -- the ease with which his music insinuates itself into a listening environment -- is the subject of ongoing debate. Putting aside the indelible melodies of his ethereal Gymnopédies (an inherent contradiction that is the source of his genius), Satie is the proto-Dadaist, the forerunner to Fluxus, and the great godfather of ambient. And Erik Satie taught us the cure for love: just play his Vexations 840 times.

We don't learn much about his youth, but his adulthood in Paris is closely related, from his friendships to his living quarters to the way the various stages of his life are demarcated by changes in his wardrobe. Davis's work is valuable not just as an easy orientation to the storied figure, but also because of her focus on works that are less likely to pop up on classical radio stations.… (plus d'informations)