Socrate / Melodies

a new cd edition of the acclaimed recording of erik satie's symphonic drama 'socrate', performed by music projects london and previously available on the factory classical label. completed in the spring of 1918, 'socrate' is a typical eccentric piece from avant-garde pioneer erik satie. written in three movements for voice (four sopranos) and small orchestra (or piano), the text is extracted from three platonic dialogues and depicts the last days of the greek philosopher socrates, condemned to death for corrupting the young men of athens. the subtitle symphonic drama belies the understatement and economy of socrate, which satie aimed to make white and pure like antiquity. to achieve this, satie claimed that he ate only white foods. 'socrate' itself lasts for 30 minutes, and is joined on this cd by five short song cycles written by satie between 1886 and 1923: trois melodies (1886), trois autres melodies, trois melodies (1916), quatres petite melodies (1920) and the absurdist ludions (bottle imps) (1923), the latter with lyrics by poet lon-paul fargue. the 61 minute cd was digitally recorded at all saints church, petersham, uk. sopranos susan bickley, eileen hulse and patricia rosario perform with pianist robin bowman and conductor richard bernas. this new cd edition from ltm features new artwork and revised liner notes and translations, including full texts of 'socrate' and all eighteen melodies in both french and english.