Isaac Albéniz - Iberia (Alba Ventura)

Information

Composer: Isaac Albéniz

CD1

1. Iberia, Cahier I: Prélude (Évocation)
2. Iberia, Cahier I: Cadix (El Puerto)
3. Iberia, Cahier I: Séville (Fête-Dieu à Séville)
4. Iberia, Cahier II: Rondeña
5. Iberia, Cahier II: Almería
6. Iberia, Cahier II: Triana

CD2

1. Iberia, Cahier III: El Albaicín
2. Iberia, Cahier III: El Polo
3. Iberia, Cahier III: Lavapiés
4. Iberia, Cahier IV: Málaga
5. Iberia, Cahier IV: Jerez
6. Iberia, Cahier IV: Eritaña

Alba Ventura, piano

Date: 2025

Label: Aglae Música

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Barcelona pianist Alba Ventura has undertaken one of the most formidable challenges of her career: the complete recording of Isaac Albéniz’s Iberia, a monumental piano cycle renowned for its technical complexity, rhythmic intricacy, and expressive depth. As a direct disciple of Alícia de Larrocha and director of the Acadèmia Marshall, Ventura approaches the work with reverence while asserting her own interpretive voice, rather than merely imitating her mentor. Having performed the cycle extensively since 2019 at prestigious venues across Spain, Japan, and Europe, she records it on a Yamaha CFX, achieving a synthesis of technical mastery and personal artistry. The resulting recording is widely recognized as an outstanding achievement in her career.

Trained by Carlota Garriga and Alicia de Larrocha, and enriched by the Russian school under mentors including Dimitri Bashkirov, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Irina Zaritskaya, Alba Ventura combines technical mastery with interpretive versatility. She debuted at thirteen with the Cadaqués Orchestra and has since performed internationally at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw, Musikverein, and Moscow’s Svetlanovsky Hall, collaborating with leading orchestras and conductors. An accomplished chamber musician, she has worked with artists including Elisabeth Leonskaja and the Brodsky and Takács Quartets. Ventura has received numerous awards, including the Albéniz Medal, the IMPULSA Prize, and the MIN Award. She is director of the Acadèmia Marshall and teaches at the Escuela Superior de Música Forum Musikae and the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu.

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