ironic score text

The verbal commentaries Satie embedded in the scores of his 1912–1917 collections — texts printed between the staves that comment on, contradict, or elaborate the music. Satie explicitly forbade these to be read aloud in performance.

The score texts are for the performer alone. They should influence the character and imagination behind each phrase without being communicated verbally to the audience. Read them carefully before learning the notes — they often reveal Satie's expressive intention more precisely than any conventional marking could. 'Ouvrez la tête' (open your head) over a rising figure tells you everything about the desired quality of that moment.