Liszt: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 63: Weihnachtsbaum

Featuring

Wojciech Waleczek
Franz Liszt

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Liszt's Hungarian background was a strong foundation for his work; he publicly declared himself Hungarian and composed over 80 works with recognizable Hungarian characteristics, often using the Magyar verbunkos style.

Composer Biography

Franz Liszt's early musical talent led his family to move to Vienna and then Paris, where he studied piano with Carl Czerny and gave concerts.

Performer Biography

Wojciech Waleczek, the pianist on this album, is an internationally renowned artist who received the title of Professor of Arts from the President of Poland in 2022.

Composer Biography

Liszt's international touring as a virtuoso from 1839 to 1848 led to his fame reaching "Lisztomania" proportions, with him cultivating a stage presence as a heroic performer.

Composition History

The Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas Tree) collection, dedicated to Liszt's granddaughter Daniela, was played by the 70-year-old Liszt for her on Christmas Day 1881 in Rome.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Liszt developed a social conscience and a sense of societal discontent, influenced by thinkers like Félicité de Lamennais and George Sand, suggesting religious music could unite humanity.