Liszt finished the original work for piano two hands in 1876 which he arranged for piano duet some weeks later and dedicated to his grand-daughter Daniela von Bülow.
The series belonging to the late piano works consists of three volumes.
In the first transcriptions of early christmas carols can be found while the remaining two hold mostly genre pictures. Characteristic of the majority of the pieces is an intimate, lyrical mood and a sense of devotion that surrounds the feast.
The prerequisites of rendering these items include a high degree of musical intelligence and refined taste.
Virtuosic capabilities are mainly required by the last two movements of portrait character entitled Ungarisch and Polisch.
The harmonies and effects of the cycle point already beyond Romanticism and anticipate the music of the beginning of the 20th century.
Contents
1. 'Psallite' - Old Christmas Song
2. O Holy Night! - Christmas Song of the Olden Time
3. The Shepherds at the Manger (In dulci jubilo)
4. Adeste Fideles - March of the Three Holy Kings
5. Scherzoso - Little Scherzo 'Lighting the Tree'
6. Carillon - Chimes
7. Slumber Song
8. Old Provencal Christmas Song
9. Evening Bells
10. Old Times
11. Hungarian
12. Polish (Mazurka)
