Liszt - Weihnachtsbaum, S186 (Pöntinen)

The Christmas Tree suite is one of Liszt&most charming collection of pieces, combining arrangements with original thoughts and two musical portraits. It occupied Liszt for quite some time—he was determined to make an especially good job of it to present to his granddaughter Daniela (daughter of Hans von Bülow and Cosima) to whom the set is dedicated; naturally, the sadness of heart which pervades many of the late works is for the most part, absent. It is somewhat difficult imagining this collection being performed in the concert hall, seeming more appropriate for the home (a sentiment Liszt echoed when his pupils would bring the Invocation from the Harmonies to his masterclasses, telling them that such music should only be played in private as "it is not for the great public"). Michael Praetorius (1571–1621) composed the choral work which provides the theme for Psallite, or at least, the central section—Liszt provides a formal march-like introduction and coda, setting a processional air. O Heilige Nacht is based on an old carol, and Liszt also produced a version of the piece for choir and organ. The melody of Die Hirten (In dulci jubilo) is known to practically everyone, but Liszt’s delicate left-hand pastoral dactyls are one of his happiest inspirations. His treatment of what all English-speaking people will immediately recognize as O come, all ye faithful (Adeste fideles) allows him to introduce some rather dramatic extensions to the well-known tune. The fifth piece is...