Joaquin Malats

Serenata Espagnole for Piano

Malats composed many pieces of salon music, of which Serenata Espagnole, with its thrilling virtuoso passages and Iberian exoticism, is the most enduring. Serenata Espagnole is most frequently performed as a classical Guitarpiece and has been recorded frequently over the years. Joaquin Malats was a highly regarded pianist of the early 20th century. A native of Barcelona, he was a prize-winning graduate of the Paris Conservatoire who performedthroughout Europe. He premiered Albeniz's Iberia, which was composed, 'Essentially because of [Malats] and for [Malats], ' according to the composer.