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Isaac Albéniz Isaac
Albéniz was a Spanish nationalistic composer, born 29th May 1860 (to
1909), who is famous for his piano pieces based on folk
music. Albéniz
performed publicly for the first time when he was only four years old. At seven,
he was a good enough pianist to pass the entrance exam into the Paris
Conservatorium. However,
still a normal seven year old boy, he started playing with a ball during the
exam and broke a window.
He was then refused admission.
Albéniz
travelled extensively through Spain to give concerts as a child, with his
father, and then alone as a teenager.
By 15 years of age, Albéniz
had already travelled and performed in concerts worldwide.
During his teens, he also spent time studying music at the Leipzig
Conservatory (Germany) and
in Brussels (Belgium).
Albéniz
wrote and recorded his first compositions during his childhood.
His first recorded composition, Marcha Militar, was published in
1868. His
early pieces were in traditional styles, imitating Bach, Rameau, Beethoven and
developing more into the styles of Chopin, Schubert, Brahms and Liszt.
His style changed in 1883, when Albéniz was encouraged by Felipe Pedrell
(a leading Spanish nationalistic composer / teacher) to write Spanish music.
The
Spanish spirit of Albéniz’s music is evident in the five pieces of Chants
d’Espagne, (Songs of Spain).
His nationalistic music represents the various dance rhythms, serious and
emotional gypsy songs, exotic Flamenco scales, unusual scale modes and guitar
sounding phrases and ideas.
Many of his pieces so clearly convey the idea of guitar melodies that
they are transcribed for guitar – and many are more famous as guitar solos
than as piano pieces.
His music is often dreamy and gives fantasy images of Andalusian scenes
and evenings. His
influence on Spanish music is plainly seen by the number of composers of the 20th
century who mention his works.
Albéniz lived his later years in London and Paris. His later music has a more European style, combined with elements of the Spanish images. His later works are most well known and influential, especially his most famous collection of Impressionistic toned Iberia (1908). French composers Ravel and Debussy show some qualities which suggest they admired Albéniz’s Iberia.
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Last modified: April 13, 2009 |
