More Than The Score: Satie – Gnosienne No. 3 (Piano Solo) Book

More Than The Score: Satie – Gnosienne No. 3 (Piano Solo) Book

Genre: 20th Century

Gnossienne No. 3, part of the iconic collection by French composer Erik Satie, is explored in this comprehensive book. This edition includes a printed score alongside a written masterclass from renowned concert pianist and teacher Joanna MacGregor. MacGregor delves into the unique and idiosyncratic world of Satie’s music, providing invaluable insights into the nuances of performing this 20th-century classic.

Additionally, the book features a detailed biography of Erik Satie as well as a concise history of the Gnossiennes, helping the reader to contextualise both the composer and his work. All of this is complemented by full-colour illustrations, making it not just an instructional text but also a visual treat. This is an essential resource for anyone looking to master Gnossienne No. 3, whether they are students, teachers, or enthusiasts of Satie’s captivating universe.

More Than The Scoreis a series of classic piano music, covering much of the essential repertoire from Bach through Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Debussy,right up to John Cage.Each volume focuses on one piece, with written masterclasses and background information encouraging an exploration of the music beyond the printed score. All titles in the Edition Peters more than the scoreseries include written masterclasses from one of our panel of internationally-renowned pianists including Joanna MacGregor, Roy Howat, Daniel Grimwood, Clare Hammond and Adam Tendler.

Who Was Eric Satie?

Erik Satie was a French composer and pianist, born on May 17, 1866, in Honfleur, Calvados, and died on July 1, 1925, in Paris. He was a highly influential figure in the early 20th-century Parisian avant-garde. His music is known for its eccentricity and often comedic nature, but it also has a depth that has made it increasingly popular and taken seriously by succeeding generations of musicians and scholars.

Satie is best known for his piano works, which include the “Gymnopdies” and “Gnossiennes.” These pieces are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and subtle exploration of musical color. They have influenced a wide range of music, from French Impressionism (although Satie himself was not particularly fond of the Impressionists like Debussy) to minimalism and even popular music.

Satie was also known for his quirky personality and sense of humor, evident both in his music and in the whimsical titles and performance directions he often gave his pieces. He was involved with several avant-garde movements and collaborated with other famous figures in art, including Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso. His contributions to art extend beyond music to the realms of theatre, ballet, and even a “church” he founded, the “glise Mtropolitaine d’Art de Jsus Conducteur” (Metropolitan Church of Art of Jesus the Conductor).Satie’s music and ideas were ahead of his time, and he remains an enigmatic and fascinating figure in the history of Western music.