Albeniz, I :: Preludio & Tango

Preludio & Tango

Albeniz, I

Musicians Publications presents Isaac Albeniz's Preludio & Tango from Espana arranged for woodwind quartet by Bill Holcombe and Bill Holcombe Jr. Scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, this quartet also includes a bass clarinet part to substitute for the bassoon when desired. It is advanced in difficulty and 2:15 in duration.

Isaac Albeniz was born in May 1860 in Catalonia, Spain. Albeniz achieved fame as a pianist and composer. A child prodigy, he made his debut at the age of 4 and his performance was so astonishing that some considered the possibility of fraud. At the age of 7 he gave concerts in Paris and at that same age wrote a Pasadoble that was played by military bands in Barcelona. A student of composition in various conservatories throughout Europe, his ambition was to study with Franz Liszt and he achieved that goal at the tender age of 18.

Concert tours around the world and in the USA ensued and he settled permanently in Paris and became great friends with Claude Debussy. The body of works created by Albania includes three operas, and many pianoforte classics, among them his masterwork Iberia & Espana (one of his more notable pieces composed in 1890 and contains the celebrated Tango , which is known as one of his most popular works). Espana is more delightful and accessible (much easier) than Iberia . It is made up of six piano pieces that subtly reflect the influences of the piano literature of the 19th century salon, and, like Iberia , the harmony and style of Impressionism, which Albeniz himself helped to create. Both works reveal characteristics of the highly individualized piano technique Albeniz developed from early childhood and perfected under the tutelage of Liszt.