Isaac Manuel Francisco Albéniz y Pascual, known as Isaac Albéniz, was a renowned Spanish composer and virtuoso pianist born on May 29, 1860, in Camprodon, Catalonia, Spain. He passed away on May 18, 1909, in Cambo-les-Bains, France, and is buried at Montjuïc Cemetery.

Albéniz was a child prodigy, performing publicly by the age of four. His musical talents were nurtured by his parents, with his father, a customs official, supporting his early concert tours throughout northern Spain alongside his sister, Clementina. Despite passing the entrance examination for piano at the Conservatoire de Paris at age seven, he was denied admission due to his young age.

By age 15, Albéniz had performed internationally, traveling with his father, whose work required frequent travel. His formal music education included a brief period at the Leipzig Conservatory, followed by studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, facilitated by a royal grant arranged by King Alfonso's secretary, Guillermo Morphy. Albéniz later dedicated the piece "Sevilla" to Morphy's wife.

In 1883, Albéniz met Felip Pedrell, a teacher and composer who inspired him to incorporate Spanish folk elements into his music, leading to works such as "Chants d'Espagne." His piano compositions, including "Asturias (Leyenda)," "Granada," "Sevilla," and others, became central to the classical guitar repertoire through transcriptions by Francisco Tárrega, despite being originally composed for piano.

Albéniz's career peaked between 1889 and 1892 with extensive concert tours across Europe. He eventually settled in Paris in the 1890s, where he also composed successful comedic pieces. His collaboration with Francis Money-Coutts, 5th Baron of Latymer, resulted in operatic works such as "Henry Clifford" and an Arthurian opera trilogy.

Albéniz married in 1883 and had three children. His descendants include prominent figures such as Madrid’s former mayor, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, and Cécilia Attias, former wife of Nicolas Sarkozy.

In the early 1900s, Albéniz's health declined due to Bright's disease, leading him to focus on composing piano music. His final masterpiece, the suite "Iberia" (1905–1908), is celebrated for its twelve piano "impressions" that reflect Spanish nationalism and folk music.

Albéniz's legacy is honored by the Fundación Albéniz, which promotes Spanish music culture and research. His influence extends beyond his lifetime, impacting both classical music and future generations of musicians.