The contrasts in mood between Liszt's "Christmas Tree" Suite and the somber sections of the Via Crucis are enormous. His musical range extends from lighthearted joy to fear and hopelessness. The "Christmas Tree" Suite was composed by Liszt for his first granddaughter, Daniela von Bülow, and some pieces are based on well-known Christmas carols. A late work by Liszt, the Via Crucis has been published in various versions and reflects the journey along the Stations of the Cross. Published in 1980, the piano versions of the chorales are simple compositions that showcase Liszt's own harmonic interpretation.
