Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz was born in Camprodón (Spain) on 29 May 1860. He was regarded as a boy wonder, giving his first concert at the age of four. He received his further musical training as a pupil of Antoine François Marmontel in Paris. Between the age of eleven and fifteen, he undertook concert tours to North and South America. After his return to Europe, he began to study at the conservatoires of Leipzig and Brussels. Being a great admirer of Franz Liszt, he followed the composer to Budapest.

From 1883 to 1885 Albéniz lived in Barcelona where he met the teacher and composer Felipe Pedrell who inspired him to write his Spanish pieces like Cantos de España. Albéniz knew how to use the rhythm of Spanish and Andalusian folk music in his piano works. His Preludio Leyenda, originally composed for piano, which was given the title Asturias after his death, is regarded as one of the most famous works of the classical guitar repertoire. From 1889, the composer was touring Europe and first lived in London and later in Paris. Although Albéniz also wrote operas, he is most famous for his piano and orchestral works today, the best-known work certainly being the Suite Iberia.

Isaac Albéniz died in Cambo les Bains (France) on 16 June 1909 at the age of 49.

 

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