Gnossienne No. 2 (string quartet)

Title: Gnossienne No. 2

Composer: Erik Satie, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin 1; Violin 2; Viola; Cello

Printout: 4 pages

Note: The term “Gnossienne” did not exist until Satie used it as a title for this and a few other similar pieces. Gnosienne No. 2 is shorter than Gnossienne No. 1 and has more harmonic variety. The original was written a without meter signature, but the characteristic repetitive bass line suggests 12/8 time, which has been used here. Like much of Satie’s music, this piece includes some unusual character indications. Some, like “more intimately” are self-explanatory. Others, like (do not go out) are more cryptic. The indications and their English translations are below:

Avec étonnement (with astonishment)

Ne sortez pas (do not go out)

Dans une grande bontè (in great kindness)

Plus intimement (more intimately)

Avec une légère intimite (with light intimacy/with a little privacy)

Sans orgueil (without pride)

Also available for string quartet: Gymnopédie No. 1; Gymnopédie No. 2; Gymnopédie No. 3 ; Gnossienne No. 1; Gnossienne No. 3