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SATIE – Gymnopedie No.1 – 5 or 6 CELLOS (easy)

Other Identification:
Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 1, composed in 1888, is a famous minimalist piano piece known for its hauntingly simple and melancholic melody, long sustained notes, and repetitive harmonies that create a sense of floating through time.

Part of his Trois Gymnopédies and is considered a foundational work of musical minimalism and the avant-garde. The “Gymnopédies” likely drew inspiration from the austere and serene symbolism of paintings by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. Satie’s work, with its unusual chords and atmospheric transparency, marked a departure from the grand sentiment and traditional structures of 19th-century romantic music.

Movements or sections:
The piece No.1 features deliberate, mild dissonances and instructions to play it “painfully” or “sadly,” contributing to its unique atmosphere and pioneering minimalism in classical music. The tempo indication is – Lent et douloureux.

Despite its simplicity, or probably because of it, Gymnopédie No. 1 remains one of the most recognizable and beloved pieces in the classical repertoire.

Instrumentation:
FIVE OR SIX CELLOS
Arranged by David Johnstone

3 PDFs:
[ 1 – Cellos 1, 2 and 3
[ 2 – Cellos 4, 5 and 6 (please read note underneath)
[ 3 – Original piano score

Approximate difficulty:
EASY
Cello V and VI are identical, except Cello V plays arco and Cello VI is in pizzicato. When five cellists playing, it is probably best to have all parts in arco.

Links (Audio – Visual), and known performances given by:
Video: Gymnopédie No. 1 (Erik Satie) for 6 Cellos by one Cellist – Schrello

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David Johnstone lives near Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) with his wife Rosa and their two “Spanglish” children, close to the Atlantic Pyrenees. The nearest international airport is Bilbao.

He is interested in world affairs, politics, animal rights, and most sports (including being a lifelong suffering Reading FC fan!). Also passionate about Celtic culture and genealogy, he has traced his ‘English’ family back to 1280, although Scotland and Ireland have also shaped his background. And yes — he is half-ashamed to admit it, he loves silly jokes!

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David Johnstone supports animal rights, he is against any form of abuse towards them, and says a loud “NO” to bullfighting, foxhunting and any other animal cruelty.

TORTURE IS NOT CULTURE !