Isaac Albéniz, the composer, claimed to have written over 400 works, though many were rough drafts or published under different titles.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Albéniz aimed to "make Spanish music with a universal accent," as he assimilated French school principles while reaffirming his Spanish roots.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Albéniz's music for Iberia stylizes popular Spanish themes almost to the point of abstraction, using rhythm as a backbone and the 'copla' (popular lyric) as a harmonic axis.
Compositional Technique
Albéniz's Seven Studies in the Natural Major Keys, composed in 1886, are arranged in a series of ascending fifths (C, G, D, A, E, B, and F).
Interpretation
Miguel Baselga, the pianist, consulted Albéniz's manuscripts as a solid point of reference, believing that if the composer didn't write certain things, it was by choice.
Recording & Production
The performer, Miguel Baselga, chose to record the Iberia collection in separate books to ensure a balance of masterpieces and lesser-known works on each CD.
Performer Biography
Miguel Baselga, born in Luxembourg in 1966, is considered one of the finest Spanish pianists today and has been frequently compared to Alicia de Larrocha.
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Albeniz: Piano Works
Isaac Albéniz's Iberia: A Musical Journey Through Spain
