The five pieces in Chants d’Espagne, (Songs of Spain) are a solid example of the compositional ideas Albeniz was exploring in the “middle period” of his life. A thorough examination of the suite of five pieces shows what Albéniz biographer Walter Aaron Clark describes as the “first flowering of his unique creative genius”, and the beginnings of compositional exploration that became the hallmark of his later works.
Looking at the five pieces as a whole, Chants d’Espagne demonstrates new forms and new harmonies that Albéniz had not shown previously. Clark writes, “The suite represents the furthest advance in Albéniz’s Spanish style to date in its seriousness, harmonic richness, and formal variety.” It was after the composing this suite that Albéniz redirected his compositional energy toward musical drama, opera and theatre.