SACDs - Albéniz

This recording by pianist Yoram Ish-Hurwitz of the third and fourth book of Isaac Albéniz’s Iberia completes the two-disc series. The first volume which featured books one and two was released on the hybrid SACD TR75529. Iberia is a collection of pieces written at the very end of the composer’s life (he died in 1909), and the music reflects the countryside and spirit of his native Andalusia. Disillusioned after the debacle surrounding a planned opera trilogy, the Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz devoted the last years of his life to his magnum opus entitled “Iberia”. In just over two years, a gravely-ill Albéniz wrote the 12 nouvelles ‘impressions’, as he called them, alternating between Paris and Nice. In these pieces he seems to have produced an accurate sketch of Spain around the turn of the century. Because of the flamenco elements and the titles of the pieces, Andalusia is often called the source of inspiration for the cycle, but the emerging Impressionism of Paris also seems to have left its mark on its style.

Yoram Ish-Hurwitz is a Dutch pianist of Israeli origin. He began his studies with Danièle Dechenne and Jan Wijn at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. In 1993 he was the first Dutch pianist to graduate from the Juilliard School in New York with the Hungarian pianist György Sándor. His discography includes recordings of the works of Schubert, Chopin, Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and the complete 'Années de Pèlerinage' by Liszt.

The American-Spanish guitarist Stephen Marchionda lends new colours to these much loved compositions. Stephen Marchionda resides in Barcelona and is a proven expert in the field of Spanish music. This is his second release on MDG, his first being Scarlatti Sonatas arranged for guitar, MDG9031587.

Anette Maiburg always finds the right musicians for her “Classica” series.

After Cuban, Venezuelan and Argentine albums, this time our tour takes us to the rich and varied regions of Spanish folklore and classical music. Included are pieces by Omar Acosta, Juan Lama, François Rabbath and Chick Coreas “Spain” which combines borrowings from Rodrigo with new jazz elements.

"Pizarro has no rivals." International Record Review

“Romantic music comes naturally to Pizarro; his delicate touch and sense of lyrical line are assured.” The Observer

Prize-winning pianist Artur Pizarro turns his considerable talents to Iberia, the highly virtuosic masterpiece by Isaac Albéniz, and Goyescas by Enrique Granados, considered to be the Spanish composer's finest work. These demanding works showcase Artur’s enviable technique and extreme virtuosity.

Iberia is Albéniz’s last major work and is remarkable for its innovative keyboard writing, its authentic and characterful Spanish colours and the immense virtuosic challenge it presents.

The legacy of great Spanish composers and pianists permeated Artur’s musical education and upbringing creating in him a natural affinity to this evocative music.

Artur recorded the album on a specially made Blüthner piano, which was designed to replicate the sound of an early 20th century instrument and allowed him to mould and shape the instrument as his own.

Artur’s performance of Iberia at London’s Wigmore Hall in November 2009 was met with critical acclaim, The Telegraph stated: “Pizarro gave us a fine display of pianism”.

Prize-winning concert virtuoso Artur Pizarro is a regular live performer. Throughout 2010 he will perform the complete solo works of Chopin in a nine concert series at St John's, Smith Square, London to mark the 200th anniversary of Chopin's birth.

Artur has recently been selected as the international ambassador for the new Yamaha AvantGrand piano. This will see Artur performing around Europe and involved in international campaigns.

Renowned for his lyrical poeticism and outstanding virtuosity, pianist Artur Pizarro has a close affiliation with both BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM - both regularly broadcast his live performances and recordings.

Disillusioned after the debacle surrounding a planned opera trilogy, the Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz devoted the last years of his life to his magnum opus entitled “Iberia”. In just over two years, a gravely ill Albéniz wrote the 12 nouvelles ‘impressions’, as he called them, alternating between Paris and Nice. In these pieces he seems to have produced an accurate sketch of Spain around the turn of the century. Because of the flamenco elements and the titles of the pieces, Andalusia is often called the source of

inspiration for the cycle, but the emerging Impressionism of Paris also seems to have left its mark on the style, not to mention Lisztian virtuosity. The real quality of Iberia, however, lies in the originality with which Albéniz was able to blend these elements and the remarkable power of imagination he demonstrated in the process.

Yoram Ish-Hurwitz is a Dutch pianist of Israeli origin. He began his studies with Danièle Dechenne and Jan Wijn at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. In 1993 he was the first Dutch pianist to graduate from the Juilliard School in New York with the Hungarian pianist György Sándor. In 1988 he won the second prize at the Eduard Flipse Piano Competition in Rotterdam. Three years later he was awarded the Jacques Vonk Prize by a unanimous international jury. Since then he has frequently performed in The Netherlands, including many times in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. His discography includes works by Franz Schubert, Frédéric Chopin, Modest Mussorgsky, Sergei Prokofiev and the complete 'Années de Pèlerinage' by Franz Liszt.