Enrique Granados

Valses Poéticos

Although the Catalan composer and pianist Enrique Granados (1867-1916) is often considered more conservative than Albéniz and Falla, his music represents a fundamental contribution to the development of the Spanish national school. In his musical language, which is deeply rooted in the main currents of European cultured music, he often uses elements derived from the tradition of his country of origin, including some typically guitar stylistic features, the punteado and the rasgueado.
The "Valses poéticos", dedicated to Joaquin Malats, is a suite of eight waltzes preceded by a lively Introduction in binary meter and concluded by a literal reprise of the first waltz in the last piece of the series. We do not know for sure when Granados composed his "Poetic Waltzes", but it is very likely that it is an early work, dating from the years 1893-94. In any case, these pieces have never left the repertoire of pianists and, above all, guitarists. This transcription, conceived for a chamber guitar ensemble (two to four parts), is an aid to the practice of ensemble music in music lyceums and music conservatories.