IsaacAlbeniz was born in Gerona province in Spain. . He was a child prodigy, who first appeared as a pianist at the age of 4. He had extensively toured Spain and South America as a pianist by the age of 15.  He studied in Paris and was a pupil of Vincent D'Indy. He became a personal friend of Franz LisztSchumann and Liszt had a great influence on his early piano music.

He became a Spanish nationalist composer and pianist who reflected the rhythms and styles of Spanish folkmusic

He wrote mainly piano music, (250 piano works)  but also a number of operas, orchestral pieces, and songs. His masterpiece is the Iberia suite. This consists of 12 pieces for piano, evoking the mood of Spanish fiestas. Several of his piano pieces have been arranged for orchestra by Enrique Arbos.