It was intended to be the second movement of a symphonic suite called Alhambra after the Arab palace in Granada, in the Andalusia region in Spain.
[1] The suite was drafted in Paris in December 1896, and consisted of six pieces: Albéniz completed only "La Vega" (on 26 January 1897) and the first 16 bars of "Generalife".
The score was written in piano solo format, and "La Vega" was later orchestrated.
"La Vega" is an evocation of the Granada plains on the edge of the city, a "musical reflection", as the composer put it, contemplated from the Alhambra Palace.
Claude Debussy, on hearing Albéniz play the piece, enthusiastically told him of his wish to immediately go and discover Granada.