Satie, Erik

1) the Waltz in C titled here "Tendrement" (this title then deleted in red ink), notated in black and red ink, on ten two-stave systems, with the markings "Modéré" and "Tempo di Valse", with deletions alterations and corrections, mostly in red ink, a few in black ink and pencil, [1902], 2 pages, folio, written on one side of each leaf, and on the verso of the 2nd leaf:  

2) a short sketch of a waltz-song for voice in A major, the vocal line notated with the words "Mon p'tit lou lou mon p'tit chéri...", composed for Maurice de Féraudy & Jean Kolb's operetta Pousse l'amour, in pencil on two staves only [1905], 1 page folio



3 pages in all, folio (c.35 x 26.8cm), 22-stave paper (blind-stamped Lard Esnault Bellamy), the leaves in separate archival sleeves, modern green folding box, gilt titles to cover and spine, light overall browning, small tears to margins, a few ink-stains and smudges by the composer

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Satie often depended for his living working as a cabaret pianist, especially during the decade 1900-1910, but many pieces he wrote are lost and their nomenclature confusing.  This piano waltz is a different work from any that Satie published under the title "Tendrement".  Although this is evidently what he originally wanted to call the piece, he deleted the title and used it for other works composed around this time.  He copyrighted it on 29 March 1902, describing it as a "valse piano et orchestre", although no orchestral material for it has ever come to light.   For an excerpt from a later version of the waltz, found in Satie's notebooks in the Bibliothèque Nationale, see Steven Whiting, Satie the Bohemian: From Cabaret to Concert Hall (1999), p.219.   

On the verso of the second page, Satie wrote a sketch for his waltz song for the operetta Pousse l'amour de Féraudy and Kolb (c.1906).  It appears to be the only surviving source containing the words: "Mon p'tit lou lou mon p'tit chéri ...", which are otherwise unknown.   Satie's autograph manuscripts of his cabaret songs are all rare on the market (especially so if they have a text);  most survive merely as sketches and drafts in the Houghton Library or the Bibliothèque Nationale.   For a complete (but untexted) manuscript of this waltz-song, see lot 143. 

We are grateful to Professor Robert Orledge for his assistance with our cataloguing of this and the two following lots.