Satie, Erik. (1866–1925)
Embryons desséchés: pour piano
Paris: E. Demets. 1913. First Edition. Folio. Including d’Holthurie II. d’Edriophthalma III. de Podophthalma Pour Piano. PN E. 1795 (1) [-] (3) D. 1f. (recto title printed in red and black, verso blank), 11, [ii] (blank), [i] (publisher's advertisement) pp. Original publisher's blue wrappers featuring an illustration of a fish. Unbound as issued. Wear to edges, minor discoloration to pp. 4–5.The present work ostensibly premiered with Georges Auric at the piano on 19 January 1914; Satie's personal correspondence, however, describes the premiere as being given by Jane Mortimer, although this is otherwise undocumented.
"Satie's use of interpolated quotations from the masters of the past also relies on incongruity and textural contrast. They are all concentrated within the months of July-August 1913 in the Embryons desséchés and the Croquis et agaceries, and perhaps reflect the pressures on Satie of this intensely creative period when he struggled to meet the demands of his publisher Demets." Embryons desséchés includes allusions to phrases by Chopin, Beethoven, and Audran, each quotation presented out of context and subtly altered "with sublime incongruity." Orledge: Satie the Composer, 33. (19177)
Printed Music Classical Music