W&H are being very brave in reviewing this LP, ALAN MARK’S performance of ERIK SATIE’s (1866 – 1925) “Vexations”. Very, very brave indeed.
This obscure piano piece isn’t necessarily relevant to modern pop music, but it is certainly of interest.
The score for this particular piece of music is only three lines long, comprising a repetition of 18 atonal notes, and it can last anything up to 24 hours - although the repetitions during this performance only last a mere 70 minutes. This “radical, yet enigmatic” work is recognized as a significant milestone in avant-garde music. Fact.
The first ever complete performance of this piece of music was by John Cage in 1963, starting at 6 pm on 9th September, and ending at 12.40 pm the following day. It was performed by a team of ten pianists, with two reserves, and was covered by eight music critics from the New York Times, all working in shifts and relays.
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This seemingly random collection of 18 notes was actually meticulously calculated, both melodically and rhythmically. However, to this day, no one has succeeded in grasping the hidden, deeper meaning of this surreal piece of music.
Was it an esoteric numerical reference? Perhaps. It could possibly even have been an elaborate prank on the bourgeoisie. Or, did Erik Satie finally crack from cabin fever resulting from living in an apartment the size of a cupboard, and come up with the musical equivalent of “All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy?”
We shall never know. But I suspect very strongly that it was probably the latter.
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