España, Op. 165

When the Catalan composer Albéniz wrote his six album leaves España at the age of 30, he was in London and his piano recitals were causing sensation. At these concerts he often performed his own compositions which were infused with the flair of his home country. Albéniz also gave the first performance of the piano cycle España in London, taking his audience on a journey through the Spanish countryside: exotic dance rhythms (Zortzico) and melodic folk tunes (Serenata) are preceded by the famous Tango, made known through many arrangements.