What the deal with Satie's Gnossiennes?

[fuel925]

As far as I am aware, there are a total of 6 Gnossiennes composed by Erik Satie. Why is it that a lot of recordings and sheet music books only contain the first 3? Is there something about the first 3 and last 3 them differentiates them from each other? Were the last 3 composed much later etc?

[freakofnature]

There are even seven of them! I believe the first three were published together, the others were added later. Also, number one to three are very similar. I've only played number four - it's a fine composition...

[holberg]

7?? where did you get that information from? which one is the 7th?

[fuel925]

7?? where did you get that information from? which one is the 7th?

Yeah i'm wondering that myself

[alzado]

The Gnossiennes are classics for either demonstrating or teaching the modes.

Most of the Greek modes find expression in the Gnossiennes.   There are some very peculiar qualities about these pieces.  I have learned and played several.

[superstition2]

What the deal with Satie's Gnossiennes?

They're ****ing fantastic. That's the deal. 

[fuel925]

But the question still stands... is there really a mystery 7th Gnossienne?

[jas]

But the question still stands... is there really a mystery 7th Gnossienne?

The New Grove dictionary only mentions 6:

• Gnossienne [no.5], 1889 (1968, 1989)
• 3 gnossiennes [nos.1–3], 1890–93, separately, as ‘nos.1, 6, 2 ’ (1893); as set (1913)
• Gnossienne [no.4], 1891 (1968, 1989)
• Gnossienne [no.6], 1897 (1968, 1989)

I'm not sure what all of the bracketed years mean. I suppose that was when he began them or something.
So if this seventh Gnossienne exists it's pretty well hidden.

Jas

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

Yes there is a 7th Gnossienne. It is also published as a Gnossienne and is in Les fils des etoiles. Hope this helps.

[freakofnature]

7?? where did you get that information from? which one is the 7th?

Well, in my edition of Satie's piano works (Peters) are indeed 7 Gnossiennes...

[superstition2]

Greetings.

Yes there is a 7th Gnossienne. It is also published as a Gnossienne and is in Les fils des etoiles. Hope this helps.

Is there a recording?

[freakofnature]

Is there a recording?

It's included in the Complete Piano Works played by Thibaudet. I've attached the recording...

[debussy symbolism]

I love the gnossiennes. I use them for sightreading. They really are marvelous and innovative.

[musicsdarkangel]

yeah, these pieces are beautiful, but I have only heard the first three!

[bernhard]

   The first three were composed in 1890 and published as a set by Satie in 1913. They are a set of similar dance-like pieces, similar to the Three Sarabandes – composed in 1887 – and the Three Gymnopédies – composed in 1888. Purists and sticklers to composer´s intentions would argue that these three are the only “legitimate” Gnossiennes: They have been so named by the composer himself, they were published by Satie during his own lifetime with his full approval, and they have a nice symmetry to them and to his other similar “ancient Dances, all is sets of threes – let us not forget that Satie was heavily into Rosicrucian mysticism at the time he composed these pieces and the number three may have occult significance.
   
   After Satie´s death, many unpublished manuscripts  of his were left – some may argue that these were still not in completed form. Be that as it may, in 1967 French composer Robert Caby (1905-1992) made available many of Satie's posthumous works, taken from sketchbooks and manuscripts. He – and not Satie - named three of these pieces Gnossiénnes, and they have become Gnossienne 4, 5 and 6. The fourth Gnossiénne was composed in 1891, the fifth in 1889 and the sixth in 1897. These pieces were first published in 1968 by Salabert.
   
   A seventh Gnossienne does indeed exist. It was part of Josephin Peladan´s (1859 – 1918) theatre music, the play “Le fils des étoiles” (December 1891) and was re-used in 1903 as the first movement in “Trois morceaux en forme de poire”. Peladan was the head of the Rosicrucian movement at the time when Satie was its official composer.
   
   Satie distanced himself from the Rosicrucians after 1895 and died in 1925, aged 59.
   
   Best wishes,
   Bernhard.