Isaac Albeniz

(1860 - 1909)

Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y Pascual was a Spanish pianist and composer best known for his piano works based on folk music idioms. Transcriptions of many of his pieces, are important pieces for classical guitar, though he never composed for the guitar.

​

Albéniz’s early works were mostly “salon style” music. Albéniz’s first published composition, Marcha Militar, appeared in 1868. A number of works written before this are now lost. He continued composing in traditional styles ranging from Rameau to Liszt until the mid-1880s.

​

During the late 1880s, the strong influence of Spanish style is evident in Albéniz’s music. In 1883, Albéniz met the teacher and composer Felipe Pedrell. Pedrell was a leading figure in the development of nationalist Spanish music. In his book The Music of Spain, Gilbert Chase describes Pedrell’s influence on Albéniz: “What Albéniz derived from Pedrell was above all a spiritual orientation, the realization of the wonderful values inherent in Spanish music.” Felipe Pedrell inspired Albéniz to write Spanish music such as the Suite española, Op. 47, noted for its delicate, intricate melody and abrupt dynamic changes.

​

Albéniz’s influence on the future of Spanish music was profound. His activities as conductor, performer and composer significantly raised the profile of Spanish music abroad and encouraged Spanish music and musicians in his own country.(source: Wikipedia)