Album insights
Born on July 27, 1867, in Lleida, Catalonia, Spanish composer Enrique Granados (1867–1916) is renowned for his solo piano suite, Goyescas, inspired by the art and era of painter Francisco de Goya (1746–1828). Despite not hailing from Castile, like Goya, Granados embodied a strong patriotic spirit rooted in his family’s military background. His upbringing in Barcelona shaped his musical journey, full of artistic endeavors as a performer, teacher, and composer. Granados' fascination with Goya's unorthodox majo and maja figures led to a creative synchrony, reflecting the essence of old Madrid and Spanish identity.
Granados' compositions from 1890 gained international acclaim, marking his musical prominence. Captivated by Goya's art during a Prado Museum visit in 1896, Granados delved into crafting a musical narrative inspired by Spain's rich cultural legacy. His suite, Goyescas, depicts the spirited portrayal of love, death, and vibrant Spanish folklore. The suite's composition process, beginning in 1909, offers a window into Granados' intricate musical development.
The Goyescas oeuvre comprises evocative musical dialogues, echoing romanticism amidst Spain's historical transitions. Influenced by Goya's visual storytelling, Granados masterfully interweaves melodic motifs, creating a tapestry of love, loss, and intense expression. The suite’s operatic adaptation in 1916, although short-lived, showcased Granados' visionary brilliance but tragically ended with his untimely death at sea, leaving an enduring legacy of artistic excellence.
Granados’ Allegro de concierto, a dazzling piano showpiece composed in 1903, illustrates his technical virtuosity and lyrical finesse, transcending thematic conventions to captivate audiences with its musical allure. Through Granados' enduring compositions, such as Goyescas and El pelele, his musical genius perpetuates, embedding Spanish nationalism deeply within the realm of classical piano literature.