Erik Satie, The French Composer and Pianist (1866-1925)

Satie’s family lived in Paris until their mother’s death in 1872. Thereafter, Erik and his brother, Conrad, were sent back to Honfleur to live with their paternal grandparents, It was in Paris that Satie began to immerse himself in the city’s vibrant artistic and cultural scene, attending cabarets, theaters, and art exhibitions. He also began to experiment with his compositions, developing the unique style that would later make him famous. When his grandmother died in 1878, the two brothers were reunited in Paris with their father.

 

Satie enrolled in the Paris Conservatoire in 1879, where his teachers soon regarded him as untalented. By the end of 1885, he was re-accepted into the Conservatoire after spending two and a half years being sent home. Being unable to leave a significantly more positive impression on his teachers, he ultimately decided to enlist in the military a year later. The duration of this was brief. He made a cunning attempt to leave the army within a short period of time, which ultimately worked.

 

Despite his musical talent, Satie struggled to find success as a composer in his early years. He worked a variety of odd jobs, including as a cafe pianist and a church organist, to make ends meet. It wasn’t until his mid-thirties that his music began to gain recognition, thanks in part to the support of other avant-garde artists and writers of the time.

 

Satie’s early life was marked by personal and financial struggles, as well as a deep sense of alienation and discontent. His unconventional personality and artistic vision often clashed with the conservative norms of his time, making it difficult for him to fit in with his peers. However, it was precisely these qualities that would make him one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century.