Isaac Albéniz

Suite Espagnola

Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909), the renowned pianist and composer, was one of the most significant Spanish masters of the second half of the 19th century. Following studies in Paris and Brussels he went on a world tour and earned great success as a pianist. From 1880 onwards he belonged to Ferenc Liszt's circle and improved his piano technique as a pupil of the Hungarian master. Besides his operas, orchestral works and songs he also composed a considerable number of piano works. One of his most popular cycles for the piano is the Op. 47 Suite espagnola (1886), the movements of which he named after Spanish towns and provinces. The composition is thus an enthusiastic tribute to hishomeland: a fascinating embodiment of Spanish folk music elaborated with Lisztian virtuosity.