Franz Liszt, Annees De Pelerinage (Complete), Christmas Tree Suite, Books 2 &3

Liszt, Franz / Année de pèlerinage (complete); Les Cloches de G*****; Venezia e Napoli; Christmas Album, Books 2 & 3. (Jerome Lowenthal piano)
Label: Bridge

Larry K.
Reviewed 2011-07-09

The 3 volumes of music by Liszt (1811-1886) related to his 10 years’ experience after eloping with the Comtesse d’Agoult, and the epilogue of these years. The CD insert contains some of his love letters to the Comtesse. It also describes in detail what particular place, work of art, or idea Liszt sought to reflect in each piece, as well as the musical or pianistic techniques he utilized and the biographical meaning of the piece. The Christmas Tree Suite was composed for his granddaughter, and outlines the celebration of Christmas eve.

Disc A. Annees De Pelerinage: Premiere Annee: Suisse.
1. Les Cloches de G(eneva)) (10:27). Bells, then a haunting theme
2. I. Chapelle De Guillaum Tell (4:53). Heroic, with chapel echoes
3. Ii. Au Lac De Wallenstadt (2:32), melancholy, waves sigh, oars dip.
4. Iii. Pastorale (1:30). Alpine folk music.
5. Iv. Au Bord D'une Source (3:23). Gurgling spring and human pleasure.
6. V. Orage (4:40). Storm, with thunder, rain, wind.
7. Vi. Vallee D'oberman (11.32). questions, chorale, storm, nature shines
8. Vii. Eglogue (3:26). Church bells and moonlight
9. Viii. Le Mal Du Pays (4:56). Homesickness, nuances of unhappiness
10. Ix. Les Cloches De Geneve: Nocturne (6:13). Bells, elegiac nocturne.

Disc B. Annees De Pelerinage: Deuxieme Annee: Italie.
1. I. Sposalizio (6:09). Rafael’s Marriage of the Virgin. Harmonious.
2. Ii. Il Penseroso (3:49). Dark melody over shifting harmonies.
3. Iii. Canzonetta Del Salvator Rosa (2:38). A simple march.
4. Iv. Sonetto 47 Del Petrarca (4:39). Tender and warm, without passion
5. V. Sonetto 104 Del Petrarca (5:47). Dynamic contrasts, virtuosity
6. Vi. Sonetto 123 Del Petrarca (5:35). Yearning melody and harmonies.
7. Vii. Apres une lecture de Dante (14:50). Devil, passion, then celestial.
8. Venezia E Napoli. I. Gondoliera (5:21). A gondolier’s song
9. Ii. Canzone (3:04). Grief, taken from Rossini’s Otello.
10. Iii. Tarantella (9:17). Pianistic ingenuity, brilliance and joy.

Disc C. Annees De Pelerinage: Troisieme Annee. [Religious service, death rites]
1. I. Angelus! Priere Aux Anges gardiens (7:25). Positive faith.
2. Ii. Aux Cypres De La Villa D'este I: Threnodie (4:47). Despair. Cypress = death.
3. Iii. Aux Cypres De La Villa D'este II: Threnodie (7:58). More despair.
4. Iv. Les Jeux D'eaux A La Villa D'este (6:59). Fountains in ecstasy.
5. V. Sunt Lacrymae Rerum (En Mode Hongrois) (4:38). Sad.
6. Vi. Marche Funebre (5:06). Funeral march.
7. Vii. Sursum Corda ((3:07). Positive expression of faith.
8. Christmas Tree Books 2 & 3. V. Scherzoso (2:31). Merrymaking
9. Vi. Carillon (2:20). Chimes.
10. Vii. Schlummerlied (2:50). Cradle song, endearment
11. Viii. Altes Provenzalisches Weihnachtslied (1:32). A carol, transcribed.
12. Ix. Abendglocken (4:30). Evening bells.
13. X. Ehemals (3:07). Old times, passion subsides
14. Xi. Ungarisch (2:06). The composer as a warrior.
15. Xii. Polnisch (4:05). A musical portrait of Polish companions.