Uploaded April 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Here I play Cordoba by Isaac Albeniz on my 2016 Senior Recital.
Program Note: Isaac Albeniz was a Spanish composer who wrote pieces for piano, opera, and orchestra, but never for guitar. This may come as a surprise due to the fact so many of his pieces are not only played on guitar, but they sound incredibly idiomatic to the instrument. The reason for this might lie in the fact that Albeniz sought to imbue his music with Spanish folk elements, which today are most often recognized in flamenco music. Both Cordoba and Asturias were originally written for piano and appear together in a collection of works known as Chants d’Espagne. Located in Andalusia, Spain, the city of Cordoba served as inspiration for this particular piece. This was one of Albeniz’s favorite cities and many of its traditions and elements are reflected in the music. The piece begins with two long notes resembling the ringing of church bells from the famous Great Mosque of Cordoba (also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption) located near the center of the city. It then goes on to present a hymn like melody similar to the kinds of hymns that might have been heard within the walls of the Cathedral itself. Once this section concludes, a new melody is introduced that adds new contrast and character to the piece by evoking a sense of Moorish folk music. Lastly, Albeniz incorporates traditional flamenco elements, creating an eclectic mix of musical elements that serve to paint a picture of the rich history of the city.
Here I play Cordoba by Isaac Albeniz on my 2016 Senior Recital.
Program Note: Isaac Albeniz was a Spanish composer who wrote pieces for piano, opera, and orchestra, but never for guitar. This may come as a surprise due to the fact so many of his pieces are not only played on guitar, but they sound incredibly idiomatic to the instrument. The reason for this might lie in the fact that Albeniz sought to imbue his music with Spanish folk elements, which today are most often recognized in flamenco music. Both Cordoba and Asturias were originally written for piano and appear together in a collection of works known as Chants d’Espagne. Located in Andalusia, Spain, the city of Cordoba served as inspiration for this particular piece. This was one of Albeniz’s favorite cities and many of its traditions and elements are reflected in the music. The piece begins with two long notes resembling the ringing of church bells from the famous Great Mosque of Cordoba (also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption) located near the center of the city. It then goes on to present a hymn like melody similar to the kinds of hymns that might have been heard within the walls of the Cathedral itself. Once this section concludes, a new melody is introduced that adds new contrast and character to the piece by evoking a sense of Moorish folk music. Lastly, Albeniz incorporates traditional flamenco elements, creating an eclectic mix of musical elements that serve to paint a picture of the rich history of the city.
