ISAAC ALBENIZ

ISAAC ALBENIZ

Albeniz, Isaac born May 29, 1860 died May 18, 1909 Albeniz was a Spanish composer and piano virtuoso known as one of Spain's most important musical figures vital in creating a national idiom and indigenous school of piano music. Albeniz gave one of his first performances at the age of four and so startled the audience with his brilliance that some kind of trickery was suspected. At the tender age of thirteen he left home, traveling to far away placed such as South America, Cuba and the USA, occasionally stowing- away. He managed to support himself by giving concerts. His travels eventually brought him back to Europe where in 1880 he had the opportunity to study and learn from Liszt. In 1883 he settled in Barcelona and married and subsequently had three children. Ten years later he moved to Paris and was influenced by the French composers Paul Dukas and Vincent d'Indy. His most important work is considered to be Iberia, a set of twelve piano pieced inspired by the music and dance rhythms of Spain. He also composed several operas, most notably Pepita Jimenez. After his death from Bright's Disease, the French government awarded Albeniz the Grand Cross of the Legion d'honneur.