Well written, lovely article!

I just submit that this "revolutionary ambient music" must be not only be a revolution of "surroundings" but "involvings" - that of a higher-consciousness listening experience.

It is almost like ambient music unknowingly traces the ring; but there is a much more courageous music that dares to remain deep inside the circle (Spectral Minimalism).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHIqMmtS…

I wish Cale was going to be at Seattle's Vexations...

i mean...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYHIqMmtS…

@Michael, yes it would be my hope that the "surroundings" do lead to "involvings."

@Nat I had forgotten about John Cale on "I've got a Secret" as a performer of "Vexations" - a great link!

@point of order: You've hit upon one of the underpinnings of the piece. As it is impossible for one pianist (or many) to heed Satie's direction, variations are inevitable - and, if Satie is heeded, built into the piece.

Played exactly the same, say by a Yamaha Disklavier, I suspect the effect would be the same, but without the human variables that make live music so compelling.

@7 Thank you for the link! Now that the event is over http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6951291 offers a more direct link.

Time-lapse video I did of the Seattle performance at Jack Straw.

http://vimeo.com/11875482