Le Jardin des Personnalités, Honfleur #11: Erik Satie

Erik Satie (1866-1925), born in Honfleur, said that painters had taught him much more about music that musicians had. And his music is also hard to classify, being seen as a precursor to such movements as surrealism, minimalism and the theatre of the absurd. He died in poverty in Paris, hating to ask friends or family for money, and never allowing anyone into his studio. On his death his studio was found to contain two untuned pianos tied together, full of unopened letters which he had partly replied to. In a cupboard was a collection of umbrellas and false collars, and in his wardrobe identical grey suits which he always wore.