About this episode
Pascal Rogé is one of the world's greatest interpreters of French piano music. From the seat of a concert hall piano, he leads us through a personal and musical journey of Erik Satie's Gymnopédies. You may not immediately know the title but in hearing just the first few notes, you are most likely to know the music. It's a collection of short, atmospheric pieces of which Gymnopédie No.1 is perhaps the most popular. Music historian and author Mark Prendergast has studied Satie's work and reveals the complex character of the man who revolutionised the 19th century classical music of Europe. Melbourne based artist Colin Duncan reflects on the music's 'physical form which takes you into space and time' and for him inspired a body of work created in braille. Murder Mystery writer Cathy Ace remembers how this meditative music could shut out the noise of the city as she sped around London in her old brown mini. Mathematician and author Ian Stewart explores the mathematics of this special piece and how music can touch our soul. Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact. Producer: Nicola Humphries First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.