Enrique Granados Biography - A Very Quick Guide
Artist:
Enrique Granados
Born:
July 27, 1867
Died:
March 24, 1916
Enrique Granados (July 27, 1867 – March 24, 1916) was a Spanish composer and pianist, often associated with musical nationalism for the distinctly Spanish character of his works. He was also an accomplished painter influenced by the style of Goya.
Life
Granados was born in Lérida and studied piano in Barcelona with Francisco Jurnet and Joan Baptista Pujol. In 1887 he continued his studies in Paris before returning to Barcelona in 1889. His first major success came with the zarzuela María del Carmen (1898), which won praise from King Alfonso XIII.
His best-known composition, the piano suite Goyescas (1911), was inspired by the paintings of Goya. Its success led him to expand the work into an opera, premiered in New York in 1916 after the outbreak of World War I prevented a European staging. Granados also performed at the White House for President Woodrow Wilson during this trip. While returning to Europe, he and his wife died in the torpedoing of the Sussex in the English Channel.
Music and influence
Granados wrote piano pieces, songs, zarzuelas, chamber works and an orchestral tone poem based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. Many of his piano works - such as Dedicatoria and Danza No. 5 - became staples of the guitar repertoire through later transcriptions. His influence can be seen in the work of fellow Spanish musicians, including Manuel de Falla and Pablo Casals.
Life
Granados was born in Lérida and studied piano in Barcelona with Francisco Jurnet and Joan Baptista Pujol. In 1887 he continued his studies in Paris before returning to Barcelona in 1889. His first major success came with the zarzuela María del Carmen (1898), which won praise from King Alfonso XIII.
His best-known composition, the piano suite Goyescas (1911), was inspired by the paintings of Goya. Its success led him to expand the work into an opera, premiered in New York in 1916 after the outbreak of World War I prevented a European staging. Granados also performed at the White House for President Woodrow Wilson during this trip. While returning to Europe, he and his wife died in the torpedoing of the Sussex in the English Channel.
Music and influence
Granados wrote piano pieces, songs, zarzuelas, chamber works and an orchestral tone poem based on Dante’s Divine Comedy. Many of his piano works - such as Dedicatoria and Danza No. 5 - became staples of the guitar repertoire through later transcriptions. His influence can be seen in the work of fellow Spanish musicians, including Manuel de Falla and Pablo Casals.
Top Pieces on 8notes by Enrique Granados