Satie, Gnossienne No. 1 (piano solo)

[JustATadpole]

Beautiful, I love Satie. Thank you for this.

[alexisrussian]

Thank you Smalin for helping me understand classical music! The side effect of this understanding of (in my opinion) the most complicated kind of music, is that I now enjoy even more almost all other kinds of music. What you're doing with these videos is one of the most important things I've seen on youtube, so thank you once again :) -Alex

[xxxvsxxx]

I prefer this over the grace notes.

[ssw166]

Desolate! That's the word I was looking for.

[AntuQum]

Dear Smalin, this video is simply amazing! You combined many of your previous techniques.

I love your choice of color and shapes for the lead voice...

At this point i have to say and congratulate you!---You have invented a new form of art. A musical painting... Here everything becomes important - sound, color, shape. And here too, you can repaint each melody differently. But i like rhombus and violet for the main voice. Very very important. Thank you!

[smalin]

@AntuQum Yeah ... isn't it cool? I'm so lucky to be involved in this ...

[ahmed777jaber]

You are so talent ..

[xSheepz]

Very nice, Prefer it to the original.

[Liliumushasha]

Sublime.

[ArchaicMusics]

I took the bus for two hours to get to my boxing gym while listening to this song. It sets the solemn mood when I need it.

[Samwiseo00o]

really liked the animation between the diamonds. Captures the "lingeringness" of the note perfectly. Think there's a better term, but I don't do music.

[ArchaicMusics]

I've seen the comments that some people think your playing is strange for this song, and I've never heard it before but I've looked around to try and find a better version but ultimately I think your performance of it is the best I've heard. You make the song haunting as it fits to be.

[xbigd1988x]

@ArchaicMusics I did the same thing, with the same results!

[xbigd1988x]

Smalin for president.



[AEFic]

I'm sorry, but I just can't learn to like the diamonds and ovals. They look... cheap. Unpolished. The bars, as well as the ball animations of your earlier Chopin/Debussy animations (used for the strings in the earlier Brahms animations) worked, I think, very well to communicate it clearly and beautifully, and, especially with pieces like Chopin's nocturne in E flat major, the smoothly disappearing/reappearing notes perfectly showed the smooth 'floating' nature of the music, and sound in general.

[durumclapclap]

This is the last song I've learnt, and this interpretation makes me rethink the way I play it...because this sounds haunting and sadder. Anyway, originality is positive, thanks for sharing this :)

[walterleipzig]

Did you insert various grace notes? Cannot remember them from other interpretations. Not sure I approve...

[smalin]

@walterleipzig I play all the notes in the score, no more, no less ... but I don't play them the same way other people do. I don't care whether you approve; the question is: do you like it?

[banginghats2]

@smalin Yes it is very different. I'm no expert on this piece, but isn't there usually lots more rubato? It's interesting and quite atmospheric, but not as much energy/emotion as usual interpretations. Not sure if I like yet...

[smalin]

@banginghats2 More rubato? I don't know. There is certainly an opportunity for more. I wanted to bring out the languid, desolate --- and yet inexorable --- quality of the piece, and rubato wasn't appropriate for that. There are lots of ways to play it; this is just how I did it that hour of that day.

[banginghats2]

@smalin Yes, it does have a very languid atmosphere in your interpretation. Always good to hear different takes on pieces like this.

[Apxovtac]

It is soft and simple yet touching, it is on the Mozart,Beethoven or Vivaldi level, music dont need to be complex, it can be good like this one.

[alexandrehachecet]

La France du 19 eme siècle est un trésor perdu à jamais...

[Kuckooracha]

@alexandrehachecet "La France du 21ème siècle est un trésor perdu à jamais" diront mes arrière-arrière-arrière-petits enfants.

[MrSBA313]

Bravo!!!

[ipwnallnubscuzirock]

Did the person who wrote this live in communist Russia??

[smalin]

@ipwnallnubscuzirock No, Paris.

[ipwnallnubscuzirock]

@smalin It's fairly repetitive and depressing for someone who lives in Paris.

[smalin]

@ipwnallnubscuzirock Read the history of Satie's life, and it might make more sense.

[ipwnallnubscuzirock]

@smalin will do.

[salviatim]

your interpretations are definitive: p

excellent as always.

[smalin]

@salviatim I'd hardly say this was definitive ... I mean, I diverge in a significant way from the score ... I have no idea whether Satie would have approved ...

[facetubemyassplug]

@smalin Not that I'm an expert, but considering his rebellious nature and flair for the odd and twisted, I find it hard it to believe he wouldn't approve of your diverging interpretation. I, for one, approve immensely. You've introduced me to whole new level of appreciation of this piece. why, thank you!

[smalin]

@facetubemyassplug I'd like to imagine that you're right, but I really have no idea --- I never met the man (he died before my parents were born).

[TheAPAnderson]

Nice!

[clawtooth35]

My version has those appogiaturas as accicarutas o.O

[smalin]

@clawtooth35 So does mine. But I don't play them that way.

[Tintenfix]

So great, once again you manage to give this piece a totally different intonation to how I play it.

And it sounds all the more interesting and mysterious.

Thank you.

[einootspork]

Any plans to animate Satie's Gymnopedies, or is that too cliche? Maybe his other Gnossienne?

[smalin]

@einootspork I did the first Gymnopedie on my DVD, so I probably won't do that (at least, not until I sell the rest of the DVDs --- about a hundred of the original 1000 left to go). The other two Gymnopedies and the third Gnossienne are possible.

[maechel200]

OK. Thank you very much for information. quiet easy after I hear it. Too easy composition. Therefore it is before mordern time. Thanks so much for musics.

[cockatoo777]

This song makes you feel thrice as lonely.

[willrelio2609]

more satie do the gymnopedie 1 from the dvd!!!

[realmensingtenor]

I just want to thank you for the videos you put up. They give me a new way to see the structure of some familiar pieces while simultaneously entertaining me with very impressive performances. Kudos to you, keep up the good work!

[DJacKnifeAlpha]

I kinda wish it was a bit more dynamic, but it's fine though. :D Very soothing melody... Ahh.. I listen to this and have a lovely sleep..

[smalin]

@DJacKnifeAlpha It's strange: when I was playing it, it seemed like the dynamic contrasts were too big, but now that I'm listening to it here, I agree with you --- they should be bigger.

[Samwiseo00o]

@smalin Too hot? Too cold? I think it's just right. I can feel the truth and emotion coming through the playing and it moves me. Beautifully done.

[GrevMivlos]

Hi Smalin

I can't recall commenting on any of your videos...

I just wanted to thank you for your amazing work. When normal people get of work - Yours start!

I've been watching many of your vids - normally debussy and other artists i prefer....

Every now and then I'll watch a "random" video of yours. It is always breathtaking and like hearing your favourite song for the first time.

Please, please, please continue with your greatly appreciated work!

[RealoveGSR]

This interpretation marches forward like a habitual ghost. Stunning. Thank you for sharing!

[nastyvet]

This piece is always beautiful, but this interpretation stopped me in my tracks. I must have hit replay a dozen times now. Thank you.

[omgzazu]

Thank you. I love this interpretation.

[buzzwaffle]

Enjoyed this one for it's simplicity and haunting quality. Very nice.

[ApsisApocynthion]

I like Satie. 

[facetubemyassplug]

just magic, thank you Smalin!

[BraunerSenf]

Please write me a coment and tell what this track stands for and what it expresses for YOU.

Thanks in advance :)

[smalin]

@BraunerSenf Is that a question to me?

[BraunerSenf]

@BraunerSenf

It's directed to every viewer but your statement would be exeedingly interesting of course!

[smalin]

@BraunerSenf Oh, good ... because I don't have an answer. For me, what is expressed in music does not translate well into words. (If it did, I wouldn't bother with music.)

[guitarpick8120]

I did a guitar version of Gymnopedie no1--one of my all time favorite pieces. But this... as much as I always love your visual accompaniments, with this one I closed my eyes and was simply moved. Thank you.

[shamitri]

I loved it.

[Dnava28]

PS: the tags are wrong! It's not a Gymnopedie...

[smalin]

@Dnava28 That was intentional; people looking for a Gymnopedie might want to see this.

[Dnava28]

Curious interpretation... why did you choose to play the acciaccature on the beat, slow and louder than the note?

[smalin]

@Dnava28 I don't think I can explain it in words. I've played this piece for decades, and this is where I've ended up (for now).  It feels right. I know it's not the standard way.

[rogerstill71]

Beautiful. Sombre, but beautiful.

[AlmightyDuckBall]

Well!... This is depressing...

[forscyvus]

I've watched too many of your videos. Perhaps aided by the simplicity of this piece, I was able to read it like sheet music and play along while watching for the first time. Which was fun!

[C0urante]

No barlines. Interesting.

[smalin]

@C0urante Yeah, he stopped using barlines at some point. But it really doesn't matter; this piece is clearly in 4/4.

[C0urante]

@smalin I agree that it feels like 4/4; however, to say it doesn't matter seems like a bit of an overstatement. Doesn't the piece seem to stretch on endlessly and without pause, like a horizontal axis? I don't see it as coincidence or mere personal fancy that led Satie to make his decision.

[smalin]

@C0urante The rhythm is completely regular; whether you mark that regularity with barlines or not doesn't make much difference, IMO. There's lots of music written *with* barlines (by other composers) that also "seems to stretch on endlessly"; it's up to the player's discretion how to interpret the barlines. Satie left lots of things out of his scores, giving the explanation "for anyone who's musical, such indications are superfluous." This seems more like that kind of omission.

[smalin]

@C0urante Actually, I'll go further. Satie wrote many pieces that were very structured, that didn't at all seem "to stretch on endlessly," without barlines. So, I think it was just a habit (or, if you want to be less generous, an affectation --- he wasn't without affectation).

[C0urante]

@smalin Thanks for correcting my ignorance, then! I appreciate it.

[smalin]

@C0urante Sure, any time. There was a time in my life (starting in the mid-1970s) when I stopped using barlines in my compositions. Now, when I go back and work on those pieces, I put the barlines back in. It's easy to ignore a barline that's superfluous, but finding your place in a piece that's very complicated and has no barlines can sometimes be difficult. So, while I generally follow the rule "less is more," I think it's okay to err on the side of prolixity, too.

[philateliceun]

I can't listen to this interpretation, I guess I am close minded like that :P

[DrPidi]

@philateliceun yeah I agree, it defeats the purpose of the song to a certain extend. The high notes (at least in my view) show some optimism/ Hope contrasted by the sad and monotonous low notes, and it is that contrast that makes this piano piece -or even Satie's Gymnopedies- delightfully dark.

[Siggorillo]

YES, my favourite...

[candypinkification]

enjoying as allways

[cangrejoni]

love your work



[LIANG14]

Didn't enjoy the grace notes as appoggiaturas. Messes too much with the offbeat meter in the left hand, oddly feels like the simplicity is lost.

[MrFreddieBurgoyne]

Love this tune.

[MidoriFan10]

Are the grace notes usually played like that? Interesting take on a beautiful piece.

[smalin]

@MidoriFan10 They're usually played more like grace notes. But I took Satie's "Lent" indication more seriously.

[ItsFizikal]

do you ever get crazy high, Stephen?

[BadgerDK]

@ItsFizikal

i doubt that he does... but it is a very amusing thought xD

[smalin]

@ItsFizikal I haven't recently, but I did in my youth.

[PestVic]

omfg amazing! thanks so much for this :)

[dieferri]

it's the first time I appreciate a computer interpretation ...

[smalin]

@dieferri Computer interpretation? This is my performance ... am I a computer?

[dieferri]

@smalin sorry ... those grace notes seemed computer generated ... very unusual interpretation

[smalin]

@dieferri If you listen carefully, you'll hear that every grace note is a little different --- much less regular than any other feature of the performance.

[Roxxy306]

Love this song...! So touching

[affablegiraffable]

nice!!

[maechel200]

Is it romantic time work? It is for me not easy to understand. Music lover from Taiwan.

[smalin]

@maechel200 No, it's after the Romantic period. Satie was the same time as the Impressionists (like Debussy and Ravel), but he wasn't an impressionist himself (at least, most people don't think so). He was his own, unique thing ...

[ratzlp0li]

long grace notes. Interesting

[tototamuz]

Thanks

[dmitrybachinsky]

It seems like you doing this kind of work all 24 hours a day :-)

[smalin]

@dmitrybachinsky No ... I sleep and eat, too ...

[JackofOneTrade567]

Glorious.

[drknjil]

love this!



[MrAlexbradley]

wonderful!!



[grunts0203]

Thanks for the video!!Amazing!!