There’s far too much music here to discuss the performances in detail–more than 30 works in all, many containing multiple pieces–so I’m going to have to ask that you take on faith the fact that there are no finer Satie performances in the catalog. Whether it’s the characterful simplicity of Alexandre Tharaud’s readings of the Gnossiennes (which frame the other pieces in the solo recital that comprises the first disc in this two-disc set), or his light, witty touch in Le Piccadilly, the Valse-ballet, Les pantins dansent, or the Petit Ouverture à danser, it’s all just delightful. But it’s the intelligence of this program, the thoughtfulness that went into making it, that gives you the best indication of how splendid the performances must be.
As just mentioned, the first disc consists of solo piano works, both the very familiar and some comparative rarities, programmed for maximum contrast and variety. The second disc contains duets for piano with, respectively, another pianist, cabaret singer (the wonderful Juliette), tenor, violin, and trumpet (La Statue retrouvée). Once again the programing allows for maximum variety, even in these often very brief pieces. As with the first disc, specific piano works (those for four hands in this case: Three Pieces in the Form of a Pear, La Belle Excentrique, and Cinéma) frame the other selections, creating a program rich in variety, ideal for continuous listening.
The fact that Satie’s music, with its wacky titles and lack of pretension, often isn’t “serious” doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be taken seriously. As a composer his range may be limited, but he’s not lacking in content, and most Satie recitals either collect all the most popular stuff, monotony be damned, or take a “library” approach and simply play everything in chronological or some other sequence that pays scant attention to why one piece should follow another, musically speaking. In assembling this program based entirely on musical values, thanks to Tharaud and his colleagues, Satie’s stature as a unique musical voice emerges all the more impressively. Magnificently engineered, with an extensive booklet that’s a model of its kind, there is simply no better or more entertaining way to get to know him. [3/30/2009]
