Satie‘s “Ogives” und Gymnopédies” are milestones in the history of modern music. The four metrically free “Ogives” (meaning pointed arches) reflect the influence of the French New Gothic or Neo-Gregorian movement in architecture with their clear lines and echo effects. The three “Gymnopédies” proceed with a swaying, chordal momentum, and Satie’s radically sparse writing makes ironic reference to the dance of young warriors in ancient Sparta during gymnopaedia rituals.

The pieces are easy to p...