Isaac Albeniz (Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y Pascual)

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Anyone else familiar with this 9-disc set?  It came highly recommended by another member from another forum.

Personally not a fan of the Baselga. I like the Larrocha recordings below during the 1950s-early 1960s whereas I don't care her albums after that. For newer recordings, I think Goerner sounds decent. Fukuma is average.

[Mandryka]

Personally not a fan of the Baselga

Because it's too tough and intense?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Because it's too tough and intense?

To me, his performance sounds lifeless and a little superficial. I would like soulful, sorcerous Albeniz. It's just a personal preference.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Recent listen. The Tagliaferro sounds like a salon piano a little, but sounds sweet and cute. I would want shadow and sensitivity in the music though. Although Alfonso is not a virtuoso, his performance is likable with some good ideas and interpretations. The Rubinstein is not for me. He plays the music as if it is Austrian/Russian compositions.

[Atriod]

I listened to Kotaro Fukuma play Iberia, what stunning piano playing. I was doing some comparisons with Michel Block immediately afterward and in comparison Block almost sounds like the music is just on the cusp of what he is capable of! (I know he is fully up to it)

I'll have to listen to Fukuma more because I wasn't really sold on the interpretations but I can't say why. It's not for a lack of rhythm or feel for the music.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Albeniz in somewhat polished, European style. Plus, a few Falla and one Granados works. Likable music and sharp dexterity.

[Mandryka]

Orozco Iberia live in 1993

https://pqpbach.ars.blog.br/2019/02/09/isaac-albeniz-1860-1909-iberia-rafael-orozco-piano/

[AaronSF]

De Larroche is always my go-to for Albeniz, but I also like Marc Andre Hamelin's version of Iberia above.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Orozco Iberia live in 1993

https://pqpbach.ars.blog.br/2019/02/09/isaac-albeniz-1860-1909-iberia-rafael-orozco-piano/

Maybe this one?

[Mandryka]

Maybe this one?

I listened to Books 1 and 2 today - and I thought it was exceptional.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I listened to Books 1 and 2 today - and I thought it was exceptional.

European style. Fine music. I will listen again this week.

[AaronSF]

Maybe this one?

Very nice indeed!

[ChamberNut]

Ok, outside of the piano music, is there any Albéniz music that one should explore?

@ritter

[ritter]

Ok, outside of the piano music, is there any Albéniz music that one should explore?

@ritter

Just as with Granados, I'm not that familiar with Albéniz's non-pianistic work. Of his operas (to English librettos), I know only Merlin which is, how can I put it, overambitious. I don't particularly care for the Concierto fantástico, IIRC.

Again, sorry not to be of help...

[Brian]

I remember being disappointed that the concerto did not sound especially Spanish.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Ok, outside of the piano music, is there any Albéniz music that one should explore?

@ritter

Not really. Outside of that fabulous solo piano music, there are a few operatic works that as @ritter pointed out (Henry Clifford and Merlin) that aren't particularly noteworthy, although I would probably say that Merlin is the better one of the two mentioned.

Anyway, when I'm in the mood for some Albéniz, it's always his solo piano music. Much like myself and Granados. I don't find them too interesting or compelling outside what I consider to be their milieu.