Petit prélude de 'La Mort de Monsieur Mouche'

This unassuming miniature marked the first time Satie used ragtime syncopations, making him a forerunner amongst European composers in exploring early American jazz.

French entertainer Eugénie Fougère had introduced the cakewalk and other "negro dances" to Paris in late 1899 or early 1900, following a long tour of the United States.

Satie was then delving into pop music influences and immediately decided that the novelty would make a good introduction to Contamine de Latour's play.

Perhaps Satie was ahead of his time: In May John Philip Sousa and his band began playing American cakewalks during their appearances at the 1900 Paris Exposition, but the dance and accompanying musical style would not become a national craze in France until two years later.

In 1968 Robert Caby included it in his edition of the composer's unpublished manuscripts, Carnet d'Esquisses et de Croquis (Notebook of Sketches and Rough Drafts).