Satie Gnossiene No. 1 by Nico De Napoli

 

Satie Gnossiene No. 1

By

Nico de Napoli

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The Gnossiennes are for the most part, in free time and highly experimental with form, rhythm and chordal structure. The form as well as the term was invented by Satie.

Here pianist Nico de Napoli presents a charming musical narrative that you could literally get lost within, and it seems I did many times over; this is a sublime performance by the artist, one that becomes a true timeless solo piano reverie.

The juxtaposition of soft and more forceful moments within this offering are a pleasure to drift within; this is one of those compositions that could be ten minutes long and you wouldn’t mind.

Nico de Napoli’s fluent and intelligent performance holds the piece beautifully and allowing it to move, almost dancing its way across the room. The creation of the Forte segments create a perfect match for the quieter passages, almost Mezzo Piano, they then drift like smoke on a late autumn evening, into the ether of the Coda of the arrangement, with such grace and style.

This is a splendid piece, a moment of total bliss!