Composed 1920; 4:30 minutes

Written a year or two after the three Gymnopédies, the six Gnossiennes of iconoclastic French composer Erik Satie reflect a quest for simplicity and, by extension, freedom of interpretation for the performer—originally a pianist. Their stark directness and absence of barlines encourage the performer’s dialogue with the music. “Du bout de la pensée” (From the tip of the thought) Satie writes in his score to No. 1. “Questionnez” (Query, or think carefully) and “Postulez en vous même” (Wonder about yourself) invite the listener into a world of modal melodies and exotic coloring over a hypnotic chordal accompaniment.