Albeniz - Tango No 2 - from Espana

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Isaak Albeniz - Tango Opus 165 No. 2 in D major from Espana
Pianist: Gregory Yelizarov
ABRSM Grade 6 Piano 2025-2026 B:4.
Isaac Albéniz ( 29 May 1860 – 18 May 1909) was a Spanish virtuoso pianist, composer, and conductor. He is one of the foremost composers of the post-romantic era who also had a significant influence on his contemporaries and younger composers. He is best known for his piano works that incorporate Spanish folk music. His compositions, particularly those in his suite Iberia (1905–1908), are considered masterpieces and have influenced both classical music and Spanish nationalism in music.
Albéniz was a child prodigy who first performed at the age of four. At age seven, he passed the entrance examination for piano at the Conservatoire de Paris, but he was refused admission because he was believed to be too young.

His concert career began at the age of nine throughout northern Spain. A popular myth is that at the age of twelve Albéniz stowed away in a ship bound for Buenos Aires. He then found himself in Cuba, then in the United States, giving concerts in New York and San Francisco and then travelled to Liverpool, London and Leipzig. By age 15, he had already given concerts worldwide. This story is not entirely false, Albéniz did travel the world as a performer; however, he was accompanied by his father, who as a customs agent was required to travel frequently. This can be attested by comparing Isaac's concert dates with his father's travel itinerary.
In 1880, Albéniz went to Budapest, Hungary, to study with Franz Liszt, only to find out that Liszt was in Weimar, Germany.

In 1883, he met the teacher and composer Felip Pedrell, who inspired him to write Spanish music such as the Chants d'Espagne.
Many of Albéniz's other compositions were also transcribed for guitar by Francisco Tárrega.