España Op. 165 - Isaac Albéniz (Arr. Gérard Abiton)

Isaac Albéniz

España op. 165

Arrangement for solo guitar: Gérard Abiton

"On June 7, 1890, at Steinway Hall, he gave a famous recital which, according to The Times of June 10 of the same year, featured twenty-five compositions. The program included, among others: Frédéric Chopin's Sonata op. 35, two Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, paraphrases on Wagner's operas, etc.

It was during this recital that Albéniz, keen to include his own compositions in the program, premiered España. Dedicated to Arthur Chappell - a major figure in London's musical life - the cycle is composed of six pieces: Prelude, Tango, Malagueña, Serenata, Capricho Catalán, and Zortzico. It is interesting to note that the Zortzico, a popular Basque dance in five beats, is one of the rare works in which Albéniz refers to his Basque origins.

In España, Albéniz's piano writing becomes more "accessible" and transparent, on the other side of the pianistic pinnacle that Iberia would later represent. This overt intention suggests the pedagogical aims the composer had for this cycle."

Antoine Fougeray - Paris, March 2026

EF 1.1.15

24 pages

ISMN 979-0-707141-34-2

ISBN 978-2-493110-27-5

Editing, engraving & revision: Antoine Fougeray

Graphic design: Maryam Douari 

Illustration: Thomas Csaba 

Printed in France by Collectif "Ne Rougissez Pas !"