One of the most relaxing piano pieces I have ever heard (and played) is Gymnopédie No. 1 by French composer Erik Satie (1866-1925). This gem of the late Romantic period comes with the composer’s instructions to play Lent et douloureux, meaning“slowly with pain/grief.” It is with this contemplative nature and slow tempo that to me invites a meditative state and clearing of the mind.
Although Satie evidently associated this piece with painful feelings, there is a pleasant quality with its rolling melodic contour and elegant simplicity. The melody is somewhat playful and reverie-like. It is reminiscent of a memory that bears sadness but with the passing of time has lost its edge, leaving only the sweeter impressions behind.
Satie was known to be a rule-breaker of his day. He did not want to follow the conventional rules of music that the conservatories demanded, and this piece reflects his bold efforts. It does not follow a structure but meanders like a moody train-of-thought. The harmonies consist of colorful chords and long, sustained rhythms, inviting the listener to another world that is Satie’s own. It took decades for Satie’s work to be recognized and appreciated at the level it is today, but that is often the case with unconventional innovation.
If you have not yet heard this beautiful piece or learned it on the piano, treat yourself to a unique musical journey. Not only is it conducive for relaxation, it is also meditative and might tickle the memories as well as the imagination.