SPIRITUALITY AND RITUALIZATION IN ERIK SATIE’S COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

The present article takes into consideration the relation between the Symbolist precepts concerning art and Richard Wagner’s theory about the spiritual in art, and their appropriation by The Salon de la Rose + Croix and, implicitly, by its official composer, Erik Satie. As we present the historical and conceptual context of the apparition of The Salon de la Rose + Croix, our attempt is to show that Satie’s compositions reflect the idea of spirituality and a certain ritualistic aspect. These attributes, as well as the tendency towards a synthesis of the arts, manifested by the composer -a theory and a practice proposed by Richard Wagner -are early examples of a foreshadowing of performative, ritualistic, contemporary art manifestations