Trois valses: Sa Taille

Description

Sa Taille (Her Figure) is the first of the Trois valses distinguées du précieux dégoûté (Three Distinguished Waltzes of a Jaded Dandy), composed in 1914. The set of three centres on an affected character, and the score carries Satie's characteristic written commentary.

The key is C major and the metre 3/4. Borrowing the elegant waltz style, it exaggerates certain gestures and turns to gently satirize an air of affected sophistication. At about 59 seconds and some 395 notes, the right hand strikes its poses over a waltz accompaniment in the left, and the range spreads wide from bass to treble.

Rated intermediate, its lowest notes fall below a 76-key keyboard and no octave shift fits it, so it suits 88 keys. Though very brief, it calls for a wry, pointed sense of expression and flexible tempo. The right order is to slow the playback and absorb the triple-time accompaniment first, then decide where the tempo should bend. Looping short phrases with A-B and checking with the hand colours which hand carries melody and which accompaniment lets you add the affected airs while keeping it light.

A set of three waltzes Satie composed in 1914, borrowing the elegant dance form while hinting at his trademark ironic humor.