Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Gillmor's book is a combination of biography, social context, and musicological analysis of Satie's works. As biography, it does not replace Rollo H. Myers's Erik Satie (London, 1948; New York, 1968); and as contemporary social history, it fails to supersede Roger Shattuck's The Banquet Years (1968. rev. ed.). However, the thoughtful and detailed discussion of each of Satie's compositions breaks new ground, making this a valuable contribution to Satie literature. Gillmor's literary style is colorful but overwordy and rambling, except for the technical discussion, where it is clear, concise, and readable. Recommended for music libraries. Philippa Kiraly, Cleveland (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Although Gillmor's style and approach owe something to Rollo H. Myers's Erik Satie (1948), this new critical biography is a greatly expanded effort in the field of Satie research. It contains more in-depth analyses of the music as well as interesting peripheral information regarding fin de siecle Montmartre that sheds light on the composer's often underestimated part of the emergence of the avant-garde. The book should also prove useful to students of art history, dance history, and French literature because of Satie's collaboration with Cocteau, Diaghilev, and Picasso in his ballet Parade, covered extensively by Gillmor. The comprehensive bibliography and complete list of works with an up-to-date discography makes this a valuable resource and a necessary addition to every music library. -J. J. Carbon, Franklin and Marshall College

Booklist Review

Gillmor's study of Erik Satie is a thorough investigation of the composer's style and the Gallic roots of his musical heritage. The author also provides just enough biographical detail to link the various periods and stages of Satie's development. Although faced with a decidedly slender oeuvre with which to work, Gillmor manages to explore almost every nook and cranny of Satie's music and to come up with some new if not startling judgments about these compositions. The influences of Satie on other composers of his time and our own are also displayed to good effect, as are Satie's relationships to such artistic and literary movements as dadaism and surrealism. Numerous musical examples illustrate the text. Chronology, notes, bibliography, discography, and catalog of musical works; to be indexed. JB. 780'.92 (B) Satie, Erik / Composers-France-Biography [OCLC] 87-37381