Franz Liszt

Weihnachtsbaum and other Works (NLE Vol. 14A)

Supplement Volume 14 of the New Liszt Edition contains mostly unpublished early versions of piano works from the last two decades of the composer s life. The bulk of the volume comprises pieces from Volume 3 of Années de pelerinage and the Weihnachtsbaum cycle. Of the latter, two complete early versions are extant. One of these consists of pieces which are shorter and more condensed than the final version. For performer and listener alike, it is an exciting experience to become familiar with this set of pieces in its early form. Among the individual pieces in this volume, the autograph version of the beautifully evocative Schlummerlied im Grabe is also published here forthe first time. Finally, Liszt s characteristically economical attitude to composing can be studied in the original form of what can be considered as the common starting point for La lugubre gondola I and II. The latest volume of the New Liszt Edition also contains a detailed preface in German, English, and Hungarian, including new results of research, five manuscript facsimiles, and critical notes. Along with the cloth-bound Complete Edition, a paperback version for practical use has also been published. This edition s contents are identical to those of the hardcover edition, except for the omission of the critical notes.