The acclaimed 1990 recording of the sparse but haunting 'symphonic drama' Socrate (1918) together with a collection of Satie songs written between 1886 and 1923, grouped together as Trois Melodies (1886), Trois Autres Melodies, Quatres Petites Melodies (1920), Trois Melodies (1916) and Ludions (1923). Originally released by Factory Classical in 1990, this digital recording was conducted by Richard Bernas and features Robin Bowman (piano) and Susan Bickley, Eileen Hlse and Patricia Rosario (sopranos). Booklet includes new artwork, new liner notes by James Hayward, and the texts of the lyrics in English in French. 21 tracks, 61 minutes of music. Full tracklist: Portrait de Socrate, Bords d'Illissus, Mort de Socrate, Les anges, Elégie, Sylvie, Le Statue de Bronze, Daphénéo, Le Chapelier, Chanson, Chanson médiévale, Les fleurs, Elégie, Danseuse, Chanson, Adieu, Air du Rat, Spleen, Le Grenouille américaine, Air du poete, Chanson du chat.

"Musically Socrate is respectfully reticent, providing an unruffled static sound decor, but its effect is unexpectedly impressive, and the stark simplicity of the telling of Socrates' death is very moving. It is admirably performed by the singers and instrumentalists, and the recording is bright and clear. In the songs there is a simple melodic charm, and I salute Eileen Hulse's rapt tone in Les Anges and Chanson, and Patricia Rosario's ringing soprano in Le Chapelier." - The Gramophone.

"Satie's account of the last days of Socrates, written for voices and orchestra, and typically the piece finds a meta-drama through aloofness and the removal of operatic stylisation." - The Wire.

"A revelation - a piece for voices and orchestra that somehow manages to sidestep all bombast and hysteria and emerge as a pulsating human document." - Plan B.

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