Je te veux
Encyclopedia
"Je te veux" is a song composed by Erik Satie
to a text by Henry Pacory. A sentimental waltz
, it was written for Paulette Darty, whose accompanist Satie had been for a period of time. The text consists of two verses and a repeated chorus.
The song was registered with SACEM
on 20 November 1902, but Roland-Manuel argued it had actually been composed in 1897. Satie composed various versions of the Je te veux waltz: for piano and voice, for an orchestra of brass instrument
s and for full orchestra (including a Trio
). The piano and voice version was first published in 1903.
The melody was performed to the public in 1903 at La Scala
. In 1925 the song was recorded with Yvonne George
as singer. Je te veux was also recorded by Mathé Altéry
, Régine Crespin
, Gigliola Negri, Nicolaï Gedda
and Davide Bassino, and later by soprano
s Jessye Norman
, Marie Devellereau and Angela Gheorghiu
. Other notable renditions include the ones by Japanese group ALI PROJECT
and Japanese chip musician SAITONE.
John Cage
instructs the performer to do the piano and voice version as part of his "Sonnekus²".http://www.johncage.info/workscage/sonnekus.html
The song appears as the background music
of the NES
game Binary Land
.
Erik Satie
Éric Alfred Leslie Satie was a French composer and pianist. Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde...
to a text by Henry Pacory. A sentimental waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
, it was written for Paulette Darty, whose accompanist Satie had been for a period of time. The text consists of two verses and a repeated chorus.
The song was registered with SACEM
Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique
Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique is a French professional association collecting payments of artists’ rights and distributing the rights to the original songwriters, composers and music publishers.-History:...
on 20 November 1902, but Roland-Manuel argued it had actually been composed in 1897. Satie composed various versions of the Je te veux waltz: for piano and voice, for an orchestra of brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
s and for full orchestra (including a Trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
). The piano and voice version was first published in 1903.
The melody was performed to the public in 1903 at La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
. In 1925 the song was recorded with Yvonne George
Yvonne George
Yvonne de Knops , better known by her stage name Yvonne George, was a Belgian singer and feminist actress.-Biography:...
as singer. Je te veux was also recorded by Mathé Altéry
Mathé Altéry
Mathé Altéry , is a French soprano singer prominent in the 1950s and 60s for her singing of operettas and French songs. Mathé Altéry is the daughter of French tenor Mario Altéry.-Career:...
, Régine Crespin
Régine Crespin
Régine Crespin was a French singer who had a major international career in opera and on the concert stage between 1950 and 1989. She started her career singing roles in the dramatic soprano and spinto soprano repertoire, drawing particular acclaim singing Wagner and Strauss heroines...
, Gigliola Negri, Nicolaï Gedda
Nicolai Gedda
Nicolai Gedda is a Swedish operatic tenor. Having made some two hundred recordings, Gedda is said to be the most widely recorded tenor in history...
and Davide Bassino, and later by soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
s Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
, Marie Devellereau and Angela Gheorghiu
Angela Gheorghiu
Angela Gheorghiu is a Romanian soprano opera singer. Since her professional debut in 1990, she has sung as soprano leading roles at New York's Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden's Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, Milan's La Scala, and many other opera houses in Europe and the United States...
. Other notable renditions include the ones by Japanese group ALI PROJECT
Ali Project
Ali Project is a Japanese band with a strong Japanese Aristocrat-style image, consisting of and .In the band's earlier days, their musical style tended towards light, cheerful and/or refreshing songs. However, the sound has changed in recent times to take on a darker and more mysterious tone...
and Japanese chip musician SAITONE.
John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
instructs the performer to do the piano and voice version as part of his "Sonnekus²".http://www.johncage.info/workscage/sonnekus.html
The song appears as the background music
Background music
Although background music was by the end of the 20th century generally identified with Muzak or elevator music, there are several stages in the development of this concept.-Antecedents:...
of the NES
Nes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
game Binary Land
Binary Land
is a game developed by Hudson Soft in for the MSX, FM-7, NEC PC-6001, NEC PC-8801, and in for the Famicom. The MSX version saw release in Europe by Kuma Computers Ltd in ....
.
External links
- Words (in French)
- A sample of the music is included in Niclas Fogwall's Satie Music Samples page