This paper examines the life and times of Isaac Albeniz, the nineteenth century Spanish piano virtuoso and composer. It will address the national debate surrounding the true nature of Spanish culture and describe the cultural, political and musical climate in late nineteenth century Spain. It will demonstrate how the expatriate Albeniz responded to these conditions to produce a remarkable body of music, primarily for the piano, that strove to express the depth of his love for the people, the land and the folk culture of Spain. The paper will finally demonstrate how his oeuvre can be included in the general classification of European nationalist music, but will contrast Albeniz's nationalism with that of his European contemporaries.
