Performances in N.Y.C. A century after the composer’s death, he is ubiquitous on relaxation playlists. Those just scratch the surface of a stranger, more complicated career. Credit...Photo12/Universal ...

The absurd titles of Erik Satie’s compositions would provoke howls of laughter at concerts in early 20th-century Paris. Some critics condemned Satie’s eccentricities — but a new book argues that his ...