Aldo Ciccolini plays Satie (vaimusic.com)

[vito869]

from a movie or cartoon that song?

[robertpetit200]

I was studying and had pandora on in the background when this song came up. I closed my eyes and my 10 yr old son became a baby again. Somebody bought my now ex wife and i the baby einstein dvd and this was one of the tracks. I could see my old apartment and my baby son and ex together watching it. It's funny how music can affect us so deeply.

[jsancho83]

es la musica del WII sports :)

[Esopo11]

grazieeeeeeeee!

[paulostroff99]

TY vaimusic for this wonderful post.

[madamewho]

Holy SHit listen to this when you are high and mix it with another from your itunes account and play them interposed!!!!

[paulostroff99]

Stunning music brilliantly played by a geat pianist. TY vaimusic for posting.

[froggo66]

I first heard this piece in Grade Nine on -- of all places -- the 2nd Blood Sweat and Tears album. They did a nice, jazzed up version. What's important, though, is that the BS&T version led me to the music of Eric Satie. I love so much of it, but none more than this exquisitely sad, brilliant, quirky, evocative, sublimely musical piece of work.

[trekkie1fan]

I remember when my 2nd grade teacher would play this for us while we worked. It's funny how the smallest of memories can be so special and cling to you like moths to lamplight.

[xxchaosguyxx]

this song makes me think way back to memories of me burning bridges with all the people in my life, only to realize that the problem is me and my inability to handle being judged by anyone.

[curious1curious]

@xxchaosguyxx a very beautiful response to a very beautiful work of art...I do understand.

[strangersname]

@xxchaosguyxx

The important thing--and the beautiful one--is your realization. The music deepens these understandings

[lewisglegend]

I had this as a standard ringtone on an old mobile phone a few years back and used to listen to it endlessly, my phone broke and I looked and listened for this song for years only for it to re-appear on a CD about a year back, what an amazing piece of music, it makes me feel like i'm slowly drifting down a river on a beautiful sunny day!

[trekkie1fan]

This song brings back so many memories. I remember when I was in 2nd grade and Mrs. Kar, my teacher, would play it while we worked. That was the first time I ever heard a Satie piece. Ever since then, Satie has been my favorite composer and Ciccolini, my favorite pianist.

[CaptainBluebear08]

way too fast.

[atlatahuac]

echo tiger army's eloquence

[geezonthekeys]

This song brings a tear to my eye.

My cock eye

[Davidkracht]

He plays it a little too fast for my taste, but besides that it's quite good.

[FUBARbyBOOZE]

@Davidkracht One of the reasons Ciccolini is considered the first and the greatest Satie interpretator is, he doesn't give in to playing slow and melodramatic like some new kids do. He doesn't degenerate it to a weepy overly melancholic mop, but plays it with elegance and something that feels like irony to me.

He lifts Satie's works to what they were meant to be, Art and Beauty instead of an easy chillout.

[Davidkracht]

@FUBARbyBOOZE Playing a piece slowly does not mean that you're a "new kid" in any way; and I there never was a shred of negativity against Ciccolini in my comment. As we all share different music tastes, it's only natural that we interpret and play pieces differently, yes?k

[FUBARbyBOOZE]

@Davidkracht Ah right, I didn't mean to overreact, sorry. I guess "quite good" is a big compliment if you're English but I read it as 'meh, he's fine' (which would be far below Aldo coming from anyone).

[chabi3000]

i cried .. thats all i can say ... if i could choose only one song to take with me after the end of my days it would be this ...

[Reubunderfull]

a win for the gays! ;D

[antbee77]

it doesn't need any comments...

[begrackled]

Yeah. This guy pretty much owns Satie and destroys everyone else who would attempt the same songs. In a perfect world, he'd punch that De Leeuw guy in the face and summarily execute Roge.

[primesniper14]

I only have one question. How do you not like this?

[zackshinkfield]

Very very awesome. Timeless.

[donchevmeister]

Some days ago I played this music for him:)

[17205513]

I bought Mr.Ciccolini playing these pieces when i was about 16. I paid less than a dollar for it on lp. A million dollars would be absurd(to little). This is beyond belief for me its beyond technique.

[sinancans]

which year is this

[TylerPCoughlin]

This is heart wrenching

[studdingsails]

Aldo Ciccolini giving it his all. No lack of concentration and a kind of tension behind it. And notice that casual brush of a note as he moves his hand away from the keyboard after he's finished playing the last note in the score....love it!

[NicoCabral75]

Gracias Dianita por recomendarme esto! Es INCREIBLE!

[dmabraham1979]

beutiful!!!

[taipan4891]

fine, but too fast. This is mean to be a more mellow tune.

[neronefoggy]

Fantastica interpretazione!!!

[shldnbschmn]

Ciccolini gets it. he just gets it...

[maggiegirotto]

bellissimo

[turingtape]

Ciccolini plays Satie that way it was meant to be played. Marvelous touch.

[PyroclasticMind]

@turingtape I tought it is a bit too fast-static

[doctrozaimon]

veramente

[donchevmeister]

Yesterday he played for me this piece and now it is much slower..he is a great artist..

[tigerarmyrule]

This is so heartbreakingly beautiful I actually fear it. I fear its ability to bring to my memory the past that is gone, love that is gone, people that are gone. This is truly great art. Magisterial emotional punch with no hyperbole.

[taftchatham]

There is a sort of terror here. But would you forego the attachment to spare yourself the inevitable loss? The music says no, I think. How Satie does it is a tremendous mystery to me. The music is so simple, and yet...

[palatinesouth]

agreed....

[flabbyballsack]

@tigerarmyrule Speech or literature must be involved to use the word hyperbole. You almost sounded smart. Better luck next time.

[JerryMichaelGriffin]

@tigerarmyrule wow there is nothing more cringeworthy than someone trying to be deep and meaningful and using words he dosen't even understand

[tigerarmyrule]

@JerryMichaelGriffin grow up will you Jerry? I realise that under cover of the mask the net provides many of us engage in personal insult we would not engage with face to face - indeed occasionally I do so myself - but do try to stop it. It's nasty puerile behaviour which earns no brownie points at all and does not appear in the least bit clever so is counter productive as well. Cop on like a good chap and stop being nasty.

[supercooled]

@tigerarmyrule 1000 poets in a 1000 years couldn't have said it any better.

[andy66RM]

grazie maestro!

[glummdelclitch]

La musique pour le fin du monde!!!

and so beautifully, thoughtfully read by Ciccolini.... with just the right hesitancy and falling away of sound....

[claireviolet]

J'aimerais etre en contact avec Monsieur Ciccollini au sujet de sa musique et mes films. Est ce quel q'un connit comment lui contacter?

Merci

[wat3rki]

AWESOME!!!!

[passeyag]

merci, Aldo était mon maître, j'ai composé mon haïku pour lui. Grâce à lui, nous avons redécouvert Erik Satie.

[kaakyf]

Why is this the only video of a real pianist playing gymnopedie? Isn't it one of the most beautiful piece? By the way 5 stars for Aldo's perfect interpretation.

[mradons]

@kaakyf Most "virtuosos" prefer spectacular pieces. Since you can win nothing (since the technical part is very easy) but lose a lot (since, unlike fast pieces, it will instantly reveal the slightest lack of artistic capacity) playing this kind of music.

[deandro985]

@kaakyf wtf do u mean of a real pianist playing this, most vids are of real pianists playing, we all take classes and study music, we all are real pianists, just cuz we dont play on stage but for ourselves...

[Walrustew]

@deandro985 shut up yo yo

[paulostroff99]

@kaakyf -Aldo was a great pianiust who played this awesome music wonderfully.

[paulostroff99]

@kaakyf -Indeed .He plays it better than anyone else that I've ever heard play it.

[toscanini9]

Perhaps it may have been ever so slightly quick, but, who cares; it was superb!  Thanks to Vaimusic for sharing this with us.

[jamesbannon008]

Yup, a little bit quick. Still gives me goose bumps though.

[rrrafau]

This piece is the first one I've ever learned to play many months ago cause I thought it's very simple yet only the great pianinsts like Ciccollini can make it as delightful. I can only imagine how much practice and how great talent it takes to play it like that. Since I have heard this interpretation I started to practice this piece again for hours and hours, hoping that one day I can put as much magic in it as Ciccolini did. Johnnyzing I am looking forward to hear your version.

[tigerarmyrule]

If I dare to criticise the maestro it is slightly quick....but it is sublime.

[johnnyzing]

interesting.....I thought it was a bit quick too...but his touch kept the legato magic. Only the best can do that. I've done that movement with, believe it our not, Piano and Tubular Bells. I'll be posting it soon. It worked.

[MrPianoDavid]

In fact he adopts strictly the tempo indicated by Satie himself : 66 by quarter note with a bit of agogik. If i may say

[kaioxygen]

@MrPianoDavid As far as I was aware the tempo was never defined as 66 by Satie himself at least not in any score I've ever seen. He simply states Lent et Douloureux.

[mlkoln]

... ich find's verdammt gut gespielt - und auch das Tempo passend gewählt.

Die Gefahr gerade bei den Gymnopedien (in ihrem ruhigen Tempo) liegt darin, daß der große Spannungsbogen in viele kleine, unzusammenhängene, einzelne Phrasen zerfällt.

Die Noten sehen einfach aus, jeder Stümper kann das vom Blatt spielen, aber diese Musik zu gestalten ist verdammt schwer.

[captainmandy]

one of my favorite songs to play; so simple yet it seems to have an affect on people listening. this rendition is all right; not my favorite, but not horribly wrong.

[magipiano86]

mai ascoltato niente di più bello...

[mongeq2007]

muito sútil, Satie é muito significativo. grato pelo post. abs.

[iosoil]

ciccolini? un pessimo pianista e musicista ma un finocchione da far paura

[ampimp69]

Amazing

[tigerarmyrule]

Maestro !

[josegiraldi]

Belissimo Aldo.

[thienan]

favourite song

[ruudparklimy]

but everybody plays this so quickly... it's supposed to be lento (60bpm)!

[Lortagreb]

I dont erik satie gave any instructions on how to play this?

[namenottaken0]

I dont yogurt?

[namenottaken0]

you just dont know what you're talking about

[ianakov]

Actually, he is 85! And he is still so amazing. One of the greatest pianists alive.

[SeDoBheatha]

I've just returned (an hour ago) from watching Aldo Ciccolini play the 2nd Rachmaninov Concerto at the Royal Festival Hall London. He is 80 now! and received a standing ovation. Wonderful, and then great to see this historic recording here.

[dnycguy4]

how marvelous! all the best to this wonderful artist.

thanks very much for your post.

[manamara]

perfect

[beskim]

Luv it

[HEARTEFFECTS]

(midniterider4559) Thank you for your comments, this is well performed, so soothing I think.

[midniterider4559]

i can't bare to watch him play it i like just listening to it better. god this song is so touching.

[midiaespacial]

too fast

[Simpleburning]

you are totally right

[HEARTEFFECTS]

Why, I wonder, does this song evoke so much emotion from those of us that seek to be touched by it? Are we the ones that have the true passion for life and love for the simplest of things? What does this song tell us about ourselves?

[midniterider4559]

(hearteffects) ...that was beautiful. you made me cry. and i truthfully really never cry. this song does make me feel very emotional.

[ipscale]

It sounds a bit theatrically, but this piece is breathtaking...I think, that this is the "unbearable lightness of being" . Hope that somebody has the same opinion.

[SABOREAME68]

Simply, Sublime!

[JoyCeLy4ev]

It is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DeliiiRockGirl]

It isn't very difficult to play, but he does play perfect!

[paulostroff99]

Gorgeous piece of music and played divinely by a far too soon mainly forgotten-but brilliant pianist.

[MissLulu1976]

Sky...Sky...Sky...

[EZEEKEEL]

Bravo

[vincik80]

grandissimo ciccolini..... tocco superbo.....

[josegiraldi]

Belíssimo Aldo !!!

[Fuliginosus]

My favorite performance of my favorite piece of music.

[ss0099218]

I can't remember where I first heard it. Must be in some tv interlude between programmes. I was mesmerised and was desperate to find it but couldn't. I had no musical knowledge or training and had no idea how or where to look for it. For years and years.....until now. Oh, thank God for small mercy

[blazerr]

It's sampled in the chorus of the Janet Jackson song, "Someone To Call My Lover" ("Maybe we'll meet at a bar/he'll drive a funky car/maybe we'll meet at a club/and fall so deeply in love...").

[Coontock]

Time flies, listening to this.

[allieree]

Heavenly music!

[WistfulGeek]

Truly adorable masterpiece.

[brastoki]

It's incredible, I read the comments and nobody talks about the most important things, the music and the artist who interprets it!!!!

Satie was at his way a genius, a futurist, and Ciccolini is a great artist!

[tremben]

Ooooh ... after all these years, managed to play along on soprano recorder. (I had learned it on piano, but the melody is sooo sensible!)

[GrandPatzer]

How do I play this piece this well???

[GrandPatzer]

LOL. In reading my comment, I realize that it could be construed as obnoxious and arrogant. I want to say "How might one day play this piece as well as Ciccolini?"

[darnmat]

Epitomy of french music ... very atmospheric ... divine ...

[80FrontStreet]

I'm totally playing this piece for my piano final :]

[movie9]

this is very good study music,

[madero111]

Has anyone heard Rachel Z do "Moon At The Window"? It's jazz but it is such a feast of how she plays chords.....playing with the voices therein. Her "Moon At The Window" would shine on Youtube, i think so.

[CyberShr0om]

This is beutiful!.. Late at night.. On one channel on my tv..when all the programs are over. there is this clock ticking.. and music playin... This song always is the last one.. Love listing to it before going to sleep! Love it so much!

[yabool2001]

could be just a little bit slower but very close to my imagination of Gymnopedie's perfect interpretations

[MikeyNCat]

I agree with yabool, beautiful job but a little slow in parts.

[haarbal92]

A lot of people would want it played extremely slow, and I guess Janne Mertanen comes very close to that interpretation, but I think that's a little too dramatic.

I like to think Ciccolini comes closest to how Satie would've played it. Try it, even in the slow videos there's no one playing this softly..

[eggory]

I liked it

[merrilleeya]

Love it.

[kingstravinsky101]

you got to respect ciccolini for recording such a large amount of satie. most well known pianst wouldnt record or play satie because satie never wrote virtuuoso piece that show off skill. and satie isnt a very popular or well respect composer ( at least when compared to other like mahler or chopin).

[Fuliginosus]

If Ciccolini's version isn't the best, whose is?

[nonchablunt]

OMG This song is just breathtaking. Could it be that Faithless (UK Electro Band) used it? it sounded so familiar when i listened to it. i only discovered satie today. but the song feels like i been listening to it forever and know it by heart.

[jjp009]

nonchablunt: Welcome to the wonders of this music. Almost everyone I know who has ever heard this piece for the first time says the same thing you just did! It must be in the subconcious or something because when you do finally hear it, it's a revelation! I can't wait for the next musical miracle waiting for me somewhere.

[svartsjel6]

aiit, if you're on facebook lemme know ;)

[fl4vio]

It has it´s way. High tones sparsed up. Got it. Very Good.

[smithsherman]

This performance should be retitled,"The Emperor and his New Clothes".

[GetMeThere1]

Or..."What it feels like to be hit, rhythmically, in the head with a hammer--but not too hard."

[smithsherman]

Yes...Yours is more apropos.

[jjp009]

I guess I've never really heard anyone else's version of this piece, but I've followed the score along with this pianist and I can't figure out what he's doing wrong. What don't you guys like about his interpretation (Because I just started learning it myself and don't want to screw it up from the beginning)?

[smithsherman]

Dear JJP,Music must breathe naturally...not like tick like a clock.And there are so many ways to do this.Each phrase here has very little individuality in color,dynamic,timing and feel.Would you like to be treated just like all the rest?

[jjp009]

smithsherman: Thank you. I'm looking for the first time at the score and attempting this one (although it is well within my competency range), and what would you say to a first timer at this one (you mentioned what he was missing, but not how one achieves the colors, dynamics, timing, etc.)?

[eggory]

Music mustn't do anything. This is just simple beauty. He does change in his playing, just not very dramatically; subtly. You don't always have to lean into the music and sigh over every note you play. That's probably a mistake in fact

[Ozoneum1]

smithsherman, I have to wonder how Satie originally meant it as he wrote it in 1887. You're "clock ticking" analogy actually makes me wonder if he did not mean it like that. From what I've read, Satie was somewhat of a pre-cursor of the avant-garde and the absurdist/surrealist era. Apparently he referred to himself jokingly not as a musician but as a "phonometrician." At the dawn of the industrial age, perhaps he was making a statement on the passage of time and futile efforts to control it.

[BocaFriend]

Interesting comment on Satie being a self-stylized phonometrician. Anyone interested in timing and composition should check out BachScholar here on YT. Cory is a professor of music and very fine pianist who explains his theories of tempo for a range of music from Bach to Scott Joplin.

[robfilmer]

yeah, I've got his CD. excellent work.

[paulostroff99]

Wonderful indeed! Haunting! TY

[smithsherman]

It takes following a score literally to appreciate this,because the playing is entirely unmusical

[aedo67]

sorry?

[suzettegm]

Smith and Catex both have a point...

[Catexpoint]

Ciccolini is my favourite player of Satie. When following the score with him and others I understand why he reads what he reads, even when I don't agree. Moreover I can hear Satie's humor more in Ciccolini than in anyone else (ofcourse that doesn't apply to this work).

[AstroExpressions]

too fast and unsentimental!

[jezzerad]

Was this piece in a Studio Ghibli film, like Laptua: Castle in the sky? My friend played it to me and I know that I heard it from somewhere. . . Like that.

[icecreamyaa]

its in a show called princess tutu

[smithsherman]

This is so horribly objectified & revised into the modern day metronomic anti-expressive style that it loses all of its yearing infinite dreaminess.

I hear a pianist who plays notes instead of painting pictures for his audience.

Do this to Shostakovitch or Prokofiev...if you must...but not this...it's simply pathetique in the wrong way.

[valsopuseight]

Saties early works (Sarabandes as well)

are ritualistic and detached.his intent was music purged of any allusions to romantic rhetoric.the use of excessive rhythmic uniformity was the point-the rejection of music as bougeois entertainment.Satie's music

antcipates the experimental, minimalist aesthetic that emerged after 1960.Satie's radical agenda is of a music going nowhere,

anti-romantic and designed to shock and scandalise the audience, much as the surrealists and Cubists did.

[pianobleu2]

Yes it's great but

"Embedding disabled by request"

[aesthetic1950]

So bittersweet and unsentimental. I like his interpretation.