The piano pieces Franz Liszt composed in his final decade are both secular and sacred with a startling originality that is far removed from the virtuoso character of his earlier works. Weihnachtsbaum is an all-embracing impression of Christmas that includes traditional carols alongside childhood and adult views of the season. The dark chromaticism of Die Trauergondel II is a tribute to Wagner, contrasting with the brighter range and yearning lyrical lines of the Wiegenlied. Many of these works remained unpublished in Liszt’s lifetime, and are genuine rarities even today.
Works:
•Liszt: Weihnachtsbaum, S. 186 (First Version, MS-181, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris)
•Liszt: Die Trauergondel II, S. 200 / 2 "Élégie No. 3" (Original 1882 Version)
•Liszt: Die Trauergondel II, S. 200 / 2 "Élégie No. 3" (1883 Version)
•Liszt: Wiegenlied (Chant du berceau), S198
•Liszt: Élégie No. 1, S. 196 "Schlummerlied im Grabe" (First Version)
•Liszt: Petőfi szellemének, S. 195 (Revised Version)
•Liszt: National Hymne, S. 197b "Kaiser Wilhelm!"
•Liszt: Historische ungarische Bildnisse, S. 205a: No. 7, Mosonyi Mihály
•Liszt: Resignazione, S. 187a (Second Version)
•Liszt: Air cosaque, S. 249c