Mallorca - Premium Membership

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Introduction

Isaac Albéniz was a Spanish pianist and composer who lived during that latter part of the 19th century and on into the early part of the 20th century. Although his compositions were written for the piano their popularity as transcriptions for guitar have often surpassed their popularity on the original instrument - piano.

The beautiful Mallorca Op. 202 featured in this first of two tutorials was written in 1890 whilst Albéniz was living in London. Although the title bears the 'Barcarole' it is in reference to a lament sung on the island of Mallorca when one is grieving for the loss of a loved on rather that the 'Barcarola' of the Venetian gondoliers.

Tips

• The guitar transcription is in D-minor whilst the original composition is in F-sharp minor. The 6th string should be tuned down a whole tone to D.
• At bar 34 there is a key change to the tonic major - D-major.
• From a technical standpoint there are several demanding stretches that need to be held in order to keep the sustain alive.

Let your fingers fly!