Rapsodia Española and Other Piano Works

This compilation of Isaac Albéniz's piano gems features brilliant keyboard music steeped in the lyric and rhythmic spirit of Spain. Although he wrote operas with English words as well as songs and orchestral music, the composer was a leading figure in the development of Spain's national style of composition. Albéniz incorporated elements of traditional Spanish folk music into his works, drawing upon the Iberian Peninsula's diverse array of folk dances for creations of rhythmic exuberance. Albéniz is most widely recognized for his piano music, and this compilation encompasses the spirited pieces that reflect his most popular style. Contents include Suite Española, Les saisons,Rapsodia española and Rapsodia cubana, Mallorca, Zortzico ("Basque Dance"), Troisième Suite Ancienne ("Minuetto" and "Gavotta"); and the brilliant La Vega.