When the Catalan composer Albéniz wrote his six album leaves “España” at the age of 30, he was in London and his piano recitals were causing a sensation. At these concerts he often performed his own compositions which were infused with the flair of his home country.

Albéniz also gave the first performance of the piano cycle “España” in London, taking his audience on a journey through the Spanish countryside: exotic dance rhythms (“Zortzico”) and melodic folk tunes (“Serenata”) are preceded by...