Two Masterpieces

Synopsis

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Erik Satie, introducing two works widely regarded as his greatest, plus a rare miniature for violin and piano, The Embarkation for Cythera.

The brilliant suite of vignettes Sports et Divertissements was commissioned to accompany a volume of artworks. Originally turned down by Stravinsky, Satie almost rejected the project - as he felt the fee offered was too handsome. Socrate is generally considered the composer's masterpiece - a unique, poignant, beautiful work for voices and chamber orchestra, setting Plato's account of the death of Socrates.

John Cage: Cheap Imitation
Teodoro Anzellotti (accordion)
WINTER & WINTER 9100802 Tr 1

L'embarquement pour Cythere (1917)
Isabelle Faust (violin)
Alexandre Tharaud (piano)
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC90201718, CD 2 Tr 28

Sports et divertissements: Choral inappetissant; La balancoire; La chasse; La comedie Italienne; La reveille de la mariee; Colin-Maillard; La peche; Le yachting; Le bain de mer; Le carnaval; Le golf; La pieuvre; Les courses; Le water-chute; Le tango; Le traineau; Le flirt; Le feu d'artifice; Le tennis
Pascal Roge (piano)
DECCA 4553702 Trs 1-21

Socrate (Parts 1, 2 and 3)
Socrate ...... Marie-Therese Escribano (soprano)
Phedre ...... Michele Bedard (soprano)
Alcibiade ...... Emiko Iiyama (soprano)
Phedon ...... Gerlinde Lorenz (soprano)
Die Reihe
Friedrich Cerha (conductor)
VOXBOX CDX 5107.

Broadcasts

1. Thu 12 Nov 2009
   12:00
   BBC Radio 3
2. Thu 12 Nov 2009
   22:00
   BBC Radio 3