Erik Satie was a French composer and pianist. He referred to himself as a “phonometrician” (meaning “someone who measures sounds”) preferring this designation to that of “musician”. In a book of contemporary French composers published in 1911 he was named “a clumsy but subtle technician”.
Satie also left a remarkable set of writings, having contributed work for a range of publications. He was a colorful figure in the early 20th century avant-garde. His work was a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, repetitive music, and the Theatre of the Absurd.