Weihnachtsbaum (Liszt) facts for kids
Weihnachtsbaum (which means Christmas Tree in English) is a collection of 12 music pieces. The famous composer Franz Liszt wrote them between 1873 and 1876, and he made some changes in 1881. You can play these pieces on a piano by yourself (solo piano) or with a friend (piano four-hands).
Unlike some of Liszt's other music, Weihnachtsbaum isn't super difficult to play. It's a bit like other famous piano pieces for children, such as Schumann's Kinderszenen or Debussy's Children's Corner. This collection is special among Liszt's works, and because of that, not as many musicians play it often.
Contents
Why Liszt Wrote Weihnachtsbaum
Liszt wrote Weihnachtsbaum for his first grandchild, Daniela von Bülow. She was born in 1860. Daniela went with her grandfather to Rome because he wasn't feeling well.
The music was first played on Christmas Day in 1881. This happened in Daniela's hotel room in Rome. It was also the day her mother, Cosima, always celebrated her birthday, even though she was born on Christmas Eve.
What Music is in Weihnachtsbaum?
Many of the pieces in Weihnachtsbaum are based on well-known Christmas carols. Here are the 12 pieces:
- Psallite; Altes Weihnachtslied (Psallite; Old Christmas Song)
- O heilige Nacht!; Weihnachtslied nach einer alten Weise (O Holy Night!; Christmas Song in Olden Style)
- In dulci jubilo: Die Hirten an der Krippe (In dulci jubilo: The Shepherds at the Manger)
- Adeste fideles: Gleichsam als Marsch der heiligen drei Könige (Adeste Fideles: March of the Three Holy Kings)
- Scherzoso: Man zündet die Kerzen des Baumes an (Scherzoso: Lighting the Candles on the Tree)
- Glockenspiel (Carillon or Bell Music)
- Schlummerlied (Slumber Song)
- Altes provenzalisches Weihnachtslied (Old Provençal Christmas Song)
- Abendglocken (Evening Bells)
- Ehemals (In Days Gone By or Long Ago)
- Ungarisch (Hungarian)
- Polnisch (Polish)
The whole collection is split into three books, with four pieces in each. Not all the pieces are about Christmas. The last three pieces, Ehemals, Ungarisch, and Polnisch, are thought to be about Liszt's own life. They might show his relationship with Princess Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein. For example, Ehemals is said to describe their first meeting.
Different Ways to Play Weihnachtsbaum
Liszt created a few different versions of Weihnachtsbaum:
- Solo Piano: The first version was for one piano player. Liszt wrote this in 1873–74.
- Piano Four-Hands: Around 1875, Liszt made a version for two people playing on one piano.
- Published Versions: The solo piano version was changed between 1874–76, and the four-hands version was changed between 1876–81. Both of these were published in 1882.
- O heilige Nacht! for Voices: In 1881, Liszt also changed the second piece, O heilige Nacht!, for a male singer, a group of female singers, and an organ.
- A Special Schlummerlied: A later version of the seventh piece, Schlummerlied, was found among some papers that belonged to Liszt's student, Carl Lachmund. This version was published in 1950. It was first played in New York in 1921 by John Powell.
Who Has Recorded Weihnachtsbaum?
The first time Weihnachtsbaum was recorded was in 1951 by Alfred Brendel. This was one of his very first recordings!
Other musicians who have recorded the full suite include France Clidat, Leslie Howard, Rhondda Gillespie, Roland Pöntinen, Eteri Andjaparidze, Jerome Rose, Pietro Spada, and Olivier Vernet. Some parts of the suite have been recorded by famous pianists like Vladimir Horowitz and Stephen Hough.
The version for piano four-hands has been recorded by Roberto Szidon and Richard Metzler. Also, Lars David Kellner recorded the first book of Weihnachtsbaum using a harmonium, which is like a small organ.
Other Musical Versions
Some composers have taken Liszt's Weihnachtsbaum and changed it for different instruments:
- In 1952, Anthony Collins arranged four of the pieces for string instruments and a celesta (an instrument that looks like a small piano but sounds like bells).
- The Italian composer Giampaolo Testoni has arranged the entire suite for a full orchestra.
- The British musician Rob Howe has also arranged the whole suite for orchestra.
