These short, atmospheric pieces are written in 3/4 time, with each sharing a common theme and structure. Collectively, the Gymnopédies are regarded as an important precursor to modern ambient music — gentle yet somewhat eccentric pieces which, when composed, defied the classical tradition.
For instance, the first few bars of Gymnopédie No. 1 consist of an alternating progression of two major seventh chords, the first on the subdominant, G, and the second on the tonic, D.
The melodies of the pieces use deliberate, but mild, dissonances against the harmony, producing a piquant, melancholy effect that matches the performance instructions, which are to play each piece "painfully", "sadly" or "gravely".
Retailers:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Erik-Satie-Essential-Collection/dp/B00J0OT4SG
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0vzKMInu4PzU2Qyi6NgmRK
Deezer:
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/7540311
Napster:
https://gb.napster.com/artist/erik-satie/album/erik-satie-the-essential-collection
Artwork Attribution:
NicolaOliveri
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolaoliveri/8103074863/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
