By Isle of Wight Observer
An East Cowes composer has made international headlines after discovering and editing dozens of previously unknown piano pieces, by eccentric French composer, Erik Satie.
James Nye, who has lived on the Island since 1970, is a writer, composer and musicologist whose decades-long fascination with Satie has led to the recovery of 46 unpublished works from the French national library. The centenary of Satie’s death this month has seen the project gain widespread recognition, including a four-star review in The Times, coverage in The Guardian, and features on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
Best known for his Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes, Satie was a highly original figure in early 20th-century music, known for his experimental scores including pieces for marionettes, circus performers, and even orchestras with typewriters and roulette wheels.
“Some of the pieces I found were tiny sketches,” said James. “Others were almost complete, and some I reconstructed as musical collages, much like Satie himself often did.”
The full collection, Reliquaire (Reliquary), has been published in France and is now available on-line. Animated versions of two of the works have also been created by American composer Stephen Malinowski for his YouTube channel @smalin.
French concert pianist, Alexandre Tharaud, has recorded 16 of the rediscovered works for Warner Classics’ new album ‘Satie: Discoveries’, already receiving critical acclaim.
“I’m not sure whether Satie would be furious or flattered,” James joked. “But for fans like me, more Satie is always welcome.”
