Issac Albéniz, a closer look at the wild child pt. 1

To follow up Harold Schonberg's chapter on "Composers at the Keyboard", I've looked in to some of the music of Albéniz(1860-1909). The Spanish Composer and Pianist has quite the childhood in Mr. Schonberg's book.

Reportedly at the age of 12, he jumped on the train in the opposite direction of home, playing some concerts near a seaport, before joining a ship crew en route to Puerto Rico.

From penniless to having some musical success, he made his way to through South America, before sailing to Cuba. It was there where his father learned of his whereabouts and had him taken in to custody in Havana.

Reunited, the boy talked his father out of him going back to Europe. Instead, he continued to play his way until he was in San Fransisco at the age of 14. Eventually he was back in Europe and taking lessons with Carl Reinecke.

What a fantastic story, and while Wikipedia's post (of all places) cast doubt on this story. Albéniz was clearly a prolific child performer, often exploited by his parents to the point that he ran away often. It seems that he may have been with his father (whom worked as a customs agent) for many of these concert tours.

Wilhelm Kempff transcends piano technique at the age of 80

German Pianist Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991), reputation largely for "unflamboyant playing of Beethoven" and the greater Classical and Romantic repertoire.

Recorded Complete Schubert sonatas before they were "popular."

Significant compositional output, including four operas.

A fantastic recording of Liszt's "St. Francis preaching to the birds." (80 years of age)

His piano sounds and effects leave the imagination wanting more.

Joseph Villa, the Mystery Titan

American pianist Joseph Villa.

Born in New Jersey (1948), died of AIDs in Manhattan (1995).

Studied at the Julliard School, under Sascha Gorodnitzki. Privately with Claudio Arrau.

Debut in Alice Tully Hall, 1972. (At a 1977 performance in that venue, Harold Schonberg said Villa broke the line and played with a harsh tone.) Its possible that this may have dampened some momentum in his career.

Mostly unknown as solo pianist, heard frequently as a chamber musician, and collaborative pianist.

Googled, the returns are tributes by pianist Stephen Hough, and Mark Ainley. Both who had meet him or knew him and his incredible abilities.

Although I have yet to listen to his famous Rachmaninoff 2nd Sonata recording (live.) His Beethoven/ Liszt 5th Symphony (1989) speaks for itself. The full orchestral texture is not diluted, nor reduced by his technical palate. Exciting, fiery and a force to be felt.