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Late Romantic and Impressionist · gymnopedie

Gymnopédie No. 2

Erik Satie · Level 4, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Gymnopédie No. 2 is a piece by Erik Satie from the Late Romantic and Impressionist era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.

On this page
  • gymnopedie
  • Late Romantic and Impressionist
  • dreamy
  • gentle
  • voicing

Also known as Trois Gymnopédies No. 2.

History

Satie dated the autograph of his second Gymnopédie March 1888 and dedicated it to his friend Arthur Dodement. It did not reach its first printed edition until 1895, seven years later. Listen for how the unhurried melody changes colour over the recurring accompaniment; the long publishing gap is a fact about the work, not a story the music is known to depict.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A quiet space before the tune

    Four bars of accompaniment precede the melody. Listen to the alternation of held bass and inner chords, keeping the pulse calm and the chord attacks gentle.

  2. A long note opens the phrase

    A sustained G leads to a descending line and then a held D. Shape the melody over the accompaniment without turning the sustained notes into gaps in the phrase.

  3. A familiar shape with a different ending

    The melodic shape returns, but this time the ending moves from D to a held C. Hear the changed ending rather than playing the phrase as an exact copy.

  4. A breath before a stronger entry

    The melody leaves two bars of space, then returns with a long C and a rising F-G-A gesture. Keep the accompaniment present but leave room for the change in melodic emphasis.

How to practise it

Separate the later chord attack from the held bass foundation.

  1. Practise the first melody note into the three-note descent.
  2. Hold the bass for the full bar while placing the quieter chord later.
  3. Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.

How hard is it

Level 4, estimated

The proposal values connected phrasing and differentiated sound through the complete second Gymnopédie, not a level inherited automatically from the first.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Erik Satie, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
French piano colors
Licence
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Erik Satie

  1. Gymnopédie No. 3Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Gymnopédie No. 1Level 4, estimatedOpen to everyone
  3. Gnossienne No. 2Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Separate the later chord attack from the held bass foundation.

Practise it in PlayPiano