Music

Gymnopédie No. 1: watch pianist Jamie Parker play Satie

You may have poked away at this piece at home, but when a pro plays it, it's pretty cool.
Jamie Parker plays Erik Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1 at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. (Myles Chiu)

At some point, most pianists try picking their way through the slowly waltzing chords of Erik Satie's Gymnopédie No. 1, the famous down-tempo piece that appears on relaxation podcasts and got its composer dubbed the father of ambient music.

While we're used to hearing Gymnopédie No. 1 played by nieces, nephews and friends who've had a few drinks, it's also nice to hear it played by a pro.

We invited Jamie Parker, piano professor at the University of Toronto and member of the Gryphon Trio, to Glenn Gould Studio to play it for us. Watch:

Erik Satie: Gymnopédie No. 1 | Jamie Parker

6 years ago
Duration 3:20
Pianist Jamie Parker performs Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie for CBC Music.