Vexations by Eric Satie

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Although Eric Satie composed 'Vexations' in 1893 it did not appear in print until 1949. The seemingly simple score betrays a frighteningly complex aesthetic encapsulated in the cryptic instruction at the top of the score which implies the 'motif' is to be played 840 times.

As well as being the first known piece of music to experiment in organised total chromaticism, it could perhaps lay claim to being the longest piece ever written; if one were to follow Satie's instruction to play the piece 'tres lent', 'Vexations' would take nearly 28 hours to perform with 840 repetitions.

 

 

The Music in Phi & Pi: The first 2001 digits of Phi & Pi set to music!

**NEW** Chorium: The High I.Q> Society for Musicians


Click on the link below to hear a complete performance of 'Vexations' in MIDI format.

Complete Vexations



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