Albéniz: Malagueña, Op. 165, No. 3

In describing ¡España!, Mischa Maisky has stated, “I’ve included Spanish music in my programmes for many years and have been waiting for a chance to record these pieces.” This is his first album with his daughter, the gifted pianist Lily Maisky. Mischa Maisky, “the genius of the cello” (Melómano, Madrid), says that “Emotionally speaking, I feel very close to this music. Wherever I play Granados, Falla and Albéniz onstage, the response is always hugely enthusiastic.”

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.

This delightful release brings together many of Fritz Kreisler’s short pieces for violin and piano. The programme is drawn from original compositions, arrangements and stylistic parodies making up a CD of generally lesser known works. As well as enriching the repertoire Kreisler issues a challenge to violinists to play these pieces as effectively and as affectingly as he did.

There is a certain mystery in the obsession that Russian composers have had with Spanish music. One can argue it is down to works such as Glinka’s Jota Aragonesa or Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol which were essential steps for the composers and their listeners to imagine Russia’s own path to a national means of musical expression.

The works are performed by the The Timofeyev Ensemble, a Russian duo that always involve mother and son, Natalia Timofeyeva (cello) and Oleg Timofeyev (Russian seven-string guitar), and any number of guest artists.