Erik Satie: Satie: Piano Works - Volume 1 (Naxos - 1993)
A terrific introduction to the piano music of Erik Satie, known generally the world over merely for just one or two of his popular 'Gymnopedies' or 'Gnossienes' pieces. But the man and his music really was (is!) so much more !
Beatifully played by Hungarian pianist Klara Kormendi, she demonstrates a total command of not just the music but the mood appropriate to each particular piece - and with Satie's music this seems to be of far greater importance somehow in showcasing the total musical effect. I listen to these pieces and hear hints of what came after in subsequent decades - Satie's compositions, colours and ideas seemingly precursors to the music of Jehan Alain, Olivier Messiaen, etc,
There are four CD volumes I think in this affordable Naxos set (available as a boxed set also) - I have two and am fast tracking down the others - sufficient recommendation, I hope!
Eaglercvet, U.K.