Isaac ALBENIZ

29 May 1860 - 18 May 1909 (age 49)

Portrait of Albeniz

The above image is a portrait of Isaac Albeniz from my series '52 Composers'. I made it using a combination of traditional and digital techniques.
The background lists some of his best known works.
I have made this portrait available in various formats and also on some gift items which will make unusual presents for music lovers.

You can buy a quality print at imagekind

Family

Father: Angel Albeniz, Basque/Spanish. Customs officer.
Mother: Dolors Pascual, Catalan/Spanish
Siblings: 3 sisters
Partners: 1883 Married Rosina Jordana, a student of his.
Children: Five - 4 girls (2 of which died in infancy) + 1 boy
Blanca, died in 1886.
Laura,a painter
Alfonso, diplomat. Also played football for Real Madrid
Great-grand-daughter: Cecilia Cigane-Albeniz Sarkozy. Former First lady of France (ex wife of President Sarkozy)

Centenary

2009 is the centenary of his death.
Watch out for special publications, concerts, promotions.If you hear of any let me know as I hope to devote a section for listing them.

Temperament

Isaac Albeniz was a kind, cheerful and generous man with a keen sense of humour (and a taste for cigars). Every one that knew him liked and respected him.

eBay listings

for the US eBay site

for the UK eBay site

Travels

Throughout his life he travelled widely. His father had postings in various regions of Spain and even to Havana and Puerto Rico.
He studied in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Leipzig.
He lived in London for 4 years and also a period in Paris, Brussels, Nice and Leipzig.
As a concert pianist he performed all over Europe.

Listen to samples and download MP3s from Amazon.com

Works

Quantity: considerable
Style: romantic, Spanish folk, nationalistic.
Mostly compositions for piano the best known being:
Suite Espagnol – 8 of the best of his earlier work
Suite Iberia – 12 piano compositions (including the much played Asturias)
8 operas including:
- Merlin
- Henry Clifford
- Pepita Jimenez
- The Magic Opal

I had thought of him as a composer for guitar as his most played pieces on the radio seem to on the guitar (especially Asturias). But no, he composed primarily for the piano and others transcribed them for the guitar.

Recommended Audio CD's etc

See what's at Amazon.com (USA)
or at Amazon.co.uk (UK)

You will find interesting reviews of most of the featured items if you click on the thumbnail images.

Museu Isaac Albeniz

In his birthplace, Camprodon, on the Costa Brava, there is his museum. It has original scores, letters, personal possessions, photos, paintings, furniture.Every year it organises an important Music Festival.

Albeniz Gifts

Cafepress Albeniz shop

Where to go for more information

Here I have merely presented a taster of his life and works. If you would like to know more then I suggest the following websites:

An interesting short biography at: gaudiallgaudi.com

his life and music - Alhambrismo

and of course - Wikipedia

Buy From Art.com

Asturias(Leyenda) - played by John Williams

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