Born on 29 May 1860 in Camprodón, Catalunya, was the Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz. He was a fine pianist, studying with Liszt amongst others. He often toured around Europe, playing many of his mounting tide of piano pieces, all influenced by Spanish rhythms. He finally settled in Paris in 1893. His fine set of twelve piano pieces Iberia was later orchestrated by Arbos. He died at Cambô-les-Bains on 18 May 1909.
Ensemble. Charm, Skill and Versatility - Ron Bierman listens to Isabel Leonard and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas in festive mood
Ensemble. Great Emphasis on Detail - Giuseppe Pennisi enjoys streamed performances of a Carmen double bill in Rome
Ensemble. Trade Secrets - Mike Wheeler listens to guitarist Craig Ogden and friends
Ensemble. Deceptively Undemonstrative - Mike Wheeler listens to Canadian/Romanian pianist Teo Gheorghiu
Ensemble. A Brand New 'Carmen' Ballet - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from the opening night at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
Ensemble. Special Offer - Two top guitarists for the price of one, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Guitar and Cello - Maria Nockin listens to Eliot Fisk and Yehuda Hanani
CD Spotlight. Melancholic Treatment - Iberian and Latin solo piano music, heard by Ron Bierman. 'Rosa Antonelli over-caresses most of these nostalgic Latin pieces.'
DVD Spotlight. Beyond Criticism - Paul Galbraith plays Mozart, Bach and Britten, recommended by Howard Smith. '... palpable, near-orchestral grandeur.'
CD Spotlight. Loads of Variety - Latin music from Rachel Barton Pine, recommended by Howard Smith. '... immaculate, relaxed, resonant performances ...'
Ensemble. Songs of Exiles - The Canterbury Cellos, heard by Howard Smith
Ensemble. Splendidly Imaginative - Julian Jacobson and Meng Yang Pan celebrate Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, enjoyed by Mary Isaac
CD Spotlight. Consistently Refined - Debussy transcriptions, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... these alternatives are never less than striking ...'
Refreshingly Poetic - Eleftheria Kotzia returns to Derby, and Mike Wheeler listens
Ensemble. A Real Barnburner - Another report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival, by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Transcendental Universality - Celebrating London's multi-ethnic pianism in the elect hands of Ivan Kiwuwa, Mishka Momen and Wu Qian, by Malcolm Troup
CD Spotlight. Beyond Piazzolla - Tangos and dances played by Fionnuala Hunt, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... relaxing and eminently listenable ...'
Ensemble. Passion and yearning - Sujeeva Hapugalle gives a piano recital at London's Leighton House, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Record box. The Spanish Guitar - Ron Bierman listens to excerpts from previous Naxos releases
Record box - Guitar scenario. Basil Ramsey hears a record from Christopher Parkening
CD Spotlight - Incomparable performances. '... refined music making ...' Pola Baytelman plays Albéniz and Ginastera, by John Bell Young