Albéniz - Preludio from Espana

Dear Moderators and all at Piano Society,

I have recently recorded the Preludio (Espana) from Albéniz and would like to submit it for review.

Let me know what you think.

Albeniz - Espana - 1: Preludio (2:27)

 

That was very beautiful. I can see nothing that needs to be improved. Are you used to playing Baroque music ? Because the way you play the ornaments, starting on the upper note. Admirably executed, but I am not sure it is wholly idiomatic in this repertoire.

 

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your feedback.

Yes, I do like playing Baroque music. I did the ornamentation intentionally in Baroque style as (to me) it gives the work a bit of a different sound.

 

Pianosa,

This performance was beautiful. You must have some Spanish or Latin blood in you because it sounds so natural.

As far as the trill starting with the upper note here, first, if Chris hadn't mentioned it I would have thought nothing of it since the bite given by the upper auxiliary fits so well with this type of music. The performances that I found on Spotify do all start with the main note (one was Daniel Barenboim on piano and another was done on guitar), but I find no problem with your solution to the trill. There is no note by Albeniz as to his intent here and the IMSLP scan of the Dover edition only gives the R.H. finger as 2 (not 2-3 or 3-2) and L.H. finger as 3 (again not 3-2 or 2-3), so even though the period may well have generally accepted the idea of trills starting on the main note, we must remember that the music of the Iberian peninsula was considered rather exotic north of the Pyrenees. Your use also seems to agree with much of the North and South American Latin music styles. It also has an affinity toward Middle Eastern music (which we must consider when speaking of Spanish music since it was under Arab Muslim control for years.

All of that rambling done, I loved it. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Scott

 

This is a beautiful performance and that ornamentation hit the spot in terms of that Spaniard feeling. Would love to include this prelude in my repertoire, and in general more Spanish or Latin American piano works: Being Latin American I am surprised I have not yet delved into this world as much as I should.

Looking forward to hearing more,

Manny

 

This one is on the site.

 

Hi pianosa,

Very enjoyable listening. You obviously have an affinity to this music, as it shows in your playing.

David