Abstract:
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909) is considered the father of modern Spanish piano music. His music describes Spanish lands incorporating native rhythms, melodies and his own musical language. Iberia is Albeniz's masterpiece, written from 1905 to 1909. Iberia is a suite divided into twelve impressions. Albeniz's piano pieces have three stages of development. The early works are salon pieces influenced by Chopin (18101849), 1849), Schubert (1797-1828), Brahms (1833-1897), and Liszt (1811-1886). The middle pieces were influenced by Pedrell (1841-1922). Albe niz used Spanish dance rhythms and he transferred guitar idioms to keyboard playing. The mature works have unusual harmonies, complex rhythms, and a virtuoso writing style. Albeniz completed and refined the European composition, using Spanish characteristics from Pedrell, and virtuoso writing from Liszt.