Erik Satie was an unconventional composer, "one of those natures that are driven by a desire to oppose everything existing, questioning everything and always ready to start over" (Klaus Wolters). With his meditative, partly mystical piano cycles "Gymnopédies" and "Gnossiennes" (1889/90), he influenced Ravel and Debussy. The pieces are intentionally short and light, featuring simple forms and a somewhat frivolous-humorous character (such as the "bureaucratic sonatina" reminiscent of Clementi). Difficulty level: 3.