The composer of the Gymnopedies is Erik Satie, a French composer who lived from 1866 to 1925. He was a prominent figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde and his works were often considered ahead of their time. Satie's Gymnopedies are three piano compositions that were published in 1888 and are among his most famous works. They are characterized by their sparse melodies and use of whole-tone scales.