erik satie

[theholygideons]

what are some good pieces from this little fella.

[bach_is_awesome]

The Gymnopedies are his well-known works. Enjoy

[theholygideons]

those are psychotic.

[redbaron]

The Gnossiennes are very popular and check out Je Te Veux which exists as both a song and a piano piece.

[yale_music]

Check out Ogives, a nice alternative to Gymnopédies or Gnossiennes.

[theholygideons]

but they're all sight readable, not saying that difficulty should be a factor in choosing pieces.
is there anything more substantial by this erik satire chap.

[awesom_o]

Erik Satie's work is generally considered to be quite a bit more substantial than its sightreadability would suggest. 

[j_menz]

His Vexations is notoriously difficult to sight read. And if it is indeed correct that it should be played 840 times in succession (debatable), requires considerable stamina (and a good bladder).

[wwalrus]

why play it 840 times though

[j_menz]

It bears Satie's inscription "Pour se jouer 840 fois de suite ce motif, il sera bon de se préparer au préalable, et dans le plus grand silence, par des immobilités sérieuses."

[ In order to play the theme 840 times in succession, it would be advisable to prepare oneself beforehand, and in the deepest silence, by serious immobilities ]

[outin]

Satie was a bit of an odd fellow and seemed to think the shorter the better, which just makes me like him more

He did write some nocturnes as well. I have the music, but haven't tried to play them yet...

[j_menz]

Satie ... seemed to think the shorter the better.

The first public performance of Vexations (organised by John Cage, incidentally) took over 18 hours to complete. Some have suggested it should take 26.