Albéniz: Suite Española, Malagueña and Other Works

Featuring

Laura Lootens
Isaac Albéniz

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Composer Biography

After a turbulent youth, Albéniz studied in Brussels with a royal grant from King Alfonso XII and later perfected his technique under Franz Liszt.

Compositional Technique

Although primarily a pianist, Albéniz incorporated Spanish folk and guitar idioms into his piano works, including allusions to 'rasgueado,' a percussive flamenco guitar technique.

Recording & Production

For the piece 'El Albaicín,' Laura Lootens used innovative recording techniques, arranging it for two guitar parts and recording each separately, with the guitar tuned differently for various sections.

Interpretation

Laura Lootens, the guitarist, made her own arrangements of Albéniz's music for this album, aiming to stay as close to the original as possible to retain the compositions' complexity.

Composer Biography

Albéniz's early life was marked by a restless spirit, including running away from home at eight and allegedly stowing away to America at twelve, earning a living as a bar pianist in Buenos Aires.

Composer Biography

Isaac Albéniz, the composer, was a child prodigy who gave his first public concert at age four and was destined for the Paris Conservatoire at six.

Composer's Artistic Vision

In 1883, Albéniz's composition teacher, Felip Pedrell, convinced him to compose in the Spanish national style, leading to his well-known works featuring Spanish folk rhythms.