French composer Erik Satie was, as Classical Sprouts host Kate Botello describes, "a hoot and a half."
For example, Satie didn't just fail to complete his degree at the Paris Conservatory, he actually got kicked out!
He was apparently quite the prankster, and his professors said he was the laziest student they'd ever seen.
After his short stint at the Paris Conservatory, Satie worked as a cafe and cabaret pianist, but he was a little embarrassed by his profession.
So he gave himself a new title — Satie was a gymnopedist famous for his Gymnopédies, two words he made up entirely.
Later in life, Satie came into quite a bit of money.
He didn't take a fancy vacation or buy himself a painting, though.
He bought himself twelve identical velvet suits, which he wore every day while referring to himself as "the velvet gentleman."
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Classical Sprouts is produced by Emily Duncan Wilson. Kacie Brown is the digital content manager.
