Albéniz, Isaac (Manuel Francisco)

(born May 29, 1860, Camprodón, Spain—died May 18, 1909, Cambo-les-Bains, France) Spanish composer. A piano prodigy by age four, he later studied in Leipzig and Brussels, returned to Spain to teach in Barcelona and Madrid, and then moved to France in 1893. His fame rests on his piano pieces, which, under the influence of Felipe Pedrell, utilize the melodic styles, rhythms, and harmonies of Spanish folk music. Iberia (1905–09) is a set of 12 virtuoso piano pieces; other piano works include the Suite española (1886), Cantos de España (1896), and five sonatas. He also wrote several operas.

Find more information on Albéniz, Isaac (Manuel Francisco). Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on Albéniz, Isaac (Manuel Francisco).