Track 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 - these files are broken. Please check and replace to right files. but this album is superb. (Sigh... 18, 22 are broken, too.)

What none of the reviewers mention and which is why I selected this compendium of Satie’s (OK, partial) oeuvre over others is the WONDERFUL collaboration with other performers in the second half of the album. In particular, the chanteuse Juliette on “Je Te Veux” is superb. There is something about this album, from the cover art to the contents, which feels so FRENCH, not international, FRENCH. The first Gymnopedie is my fav anyhow, so it’s not a deal breaker that all of them are not included on this album. I also like how the Gnossienne are sprinkled throughout the first portion of the album. The first Gnossienne right at the beginning of the album sets the tone: thoughtful, expressive. Tharaud’s playing is beautiful.

This only reinforces my long affair to say its only been a mere few days and so much has changed.

This is a very appealing set. It does not in any way treat Satie as an oddity. The playing is generally legato with phrasing and tempi that breath very comfortably-not fussy or desiccated (the approach works better here than in the Rameau Pièces de Clavecin). The piano is well voiced, a bit bright but not severely. The room sound is just about perfect, and the recording is close enough for detail but with adequate supporting reverberation. There is one problem, some audible clipping on loudest chords, particularly in the right hand.

It was only a matter of time before one of France's great pianist recorded one of France's most recognizable composers. Everything Alexandre does is fantastic, and this is another great recording by him. I have yet to find that perfect Satie album. Alexandre has done a recording that rivals Aldo's, but I do not fully understand the order of this album. I do not know why the Gnossiennes are split up, except maybe to keep the listener's interest in the album, because those are one of Satie's greatest compositions. Furthermore I do not understand the reasoning behind recording only one of Satie's Gymnopedie. Those three pieces are without a doubt Satie's most recognizable composition, and arguably his greatest. The order, that I suppose that I could over look because with iTunes I can rearrange the pieces how ever I so choose. The lack of the other two Gymnopedie I cannot over look. This album would have been perfection with those two pieces; without them it is still a great recording, but I still have to wait for that perfect Satie album.