Song of the Day: Gymnopedies No. 1 is the first of three piano compositions by Erik Satie, who was born on this date in 1866. This work was published in 1888, but its lovely melody has been sampled countless times through the years by artists from many different genres. In fact, the first time I heard any rendition of it was on the second studio album of jazz-rock fusion band Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1968, which received a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Performance. Check out their “Variations on a Theme by Erik Satie” and a sensitive performance by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet [YouTube links].
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