Satie Remembered

by Robert Orledge

(Amadeus). Acquaintances, friends, fellow artists, and even antagonists share their recollections of the acknowledged leader of the French musical avant-garde. HARDCOVER.

Genres: Biography, Music

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would think that such a composer who can bring a reflective smile on a pretty girl's lips on a cozy rainy day (that's the visual image of Satie's music) can be also an early 20th Century (cultural) terror and eccentric. This is a collection of personal observations by people like Jean Cocteau regarding the charm, the eccentricity, and genius of the one and only Erik Satie. The man who bought 12 purple velvet suits and wore them everyday. Also bought an umbrella once-a-day as well. It is said that when he died he left his piano turned upside down in his apartment. Is this true?

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive compilation of writing about Satie by his contemporaries. The section dedicated to his final days is fascinating and moving. The book opens with a very useful timeline indicating the political, historical and cultural highlights of the years of Satie's life.

The overwhelming impression I gained from the extracts and the editor's commentary was that Satie eluded all attempts to accurately describe or understand him.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erik Satie was enigmatic even to "those who knew him best." My personal attraction to him and his music stems from the fact I was born exactly thirty years to the day (plus twelve hours) after his death. So I have a sympathy toward him that is still a matter of some curiosity. Reading this book answered some of that, with quotes and memoirs of contemporaries speaking as to their friendship and the man's many foibles. I love these "the composer remembered" sort of books, since they do rely on the words of those most associated with the men and bring those so often apotheized mortals into a better perspective.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Satie, or Paris, or artists, or music, you'll enjoy this book. But even if you've never heard Erik Satie, these are wonderful, entertaining and informative remembrances of a talented eccentric.