A SUBJECTIVE LIST OF SUGGESTED WORKS BY OTHER SPANISH COMPOSERS

Sonatas by Antonio Soler, student of Scarlatti. Two of the finest are in C minor and F sharp major.

Sonatas by José Blasco de Nebra, José Herrando, Francisco Courcelle and Mateo Albéniz (no relation to Isaac Albéniz) which are not overly complicated.

Tres Estudios o Caprichos (Three Studies or Caprices) by Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga.

From the early 19th century, a vast number of piano works were composed, published, studied and performed in Spain. Many of these are in a salon style, pleasurable to play and accessible to many pianists. Composers include Nicolás Ledesma, Marcial del Adalid, Juan María Guelbenzu, Santiago de Masarnau, Carlos Vidiella, Joaquín Malats, José María Usandizaga, Vicente Costa y Nogueras.

Beginning around 1860 and continuing well into the 20th century, Spain enjoyed a glorious period of piano works. A few lesser-known works include:

Minuetto del gallo from the Sonata Op 82 by Isaac Albéniz. Enric Morera composed three Dansas and a Scherzo for piano as well as many ‘easy’ pieces.

Pau (Pablo) Casals composed quite a number of piano works which have been recently published. Especially enjoyable are the Quatre romances sense paraules (Four Romances Without Words).

Frederic Mompou is highly regarded and many of his works are often performed and recorded such as his series of Canciones y Danzas (Songs and Dances). No 14, published in 1979, is not well-known but rewarding. There are 12 Preludios, varied and beautiful.

Joaquín Turina composed numerous works, many very well known, such as Danzas gitanas and the brilliant and difficult Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Lesserknown quality works include Por las calles de Sevilla (On the Streets of Seville), En la zapateria (At the Shoemakers) and Mallorca.

Joaquín Rodrigo, extremely well-known for the Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar and orchestra, also composed a wide variety of piano works. Some were intended for his daughter, Álbum de Cecilia (Cecilia’s Album), and for his granddaughters, Sonatina para dos muñecas (Sonatina for Two Dolls), for piano duet, both intended for children to perform. More difficult, but highly rewarding, are the Cuatro piezas para piano (Four Pieces for Piano), especially the very beautiful Plegaria de la Infanta de Castilla (Prayer of the Princess of Castile).

Two renowned Spanish pianists, Alicia de Larrocha and José Iturbi, also composed rewarding works. Iturbi’s Pequeña danza española (A Little Spanish Dance) is a three-page charmer. Alicia de Larrocha composed almost 50 works in her youth, recently published as Pecados de la juventud (Sins of Youth). Highly enjoyable!