Album insights
Liszt meticulously reworked music from his time as a traveling concert pianist into the pieces that make up the Années de pèlerinage series. The original collection spanned nearly two hours and was later revised between 1848 and 1854 before its full release in 1855. Liszt's First Year of Pilgrimage to Switzerland begins with a tribute to the legendary Chapel of William Tell, showcasing structural simplifications and thematic elements creatively maintained throughout the composition.
In the midst of nature, Liszt's Pastorale reimagines a piece from Fleurs mélodiques des Alpes with notable changes to the bassline and tonality to breathe fresh life into the melody. The work reflects Schiller's verses in Liszt's Au bord d'une source, skillfully balancing technical challenges with enchanting simplicity.
Liszt’s Eglogue finds inspiration from Byron’s Childe Harold, featuring a challenging introduction akin to his earlier works. Vallée d’Obermann, inspired by a French novel set in Switzerland, highlights Liszt's adept revisions and additions, offering a stirring composition deserving of praise.
Le mal du pays showcases Liszt's ability to blend improvisation with structured control, drawing on various melodies to create a thoughtful and immersive piece. The Swiss Book culminates with Les cloches de Genève—Nocturne, integrating elements of an earlier work with added sections to craft a contemplative and uplifting conclusion.
Venezia e Napoli, Liszt’s second Années installment, features lighter pieces with revisions of earlier works, including the Trois Morceaux suisses based on Swiss art songs. These revised pieces serve as a fitting counterpart to the Italian collection, providing a harmonious balance to Liszt's musical repertoire.
Ranz de vaches, the Kuhreigen piece, retains its youthful exuberance with a brief conclusion; Un soir dans la montagne shines as a refined musical highlight with subtle rearrangements; and the final piece concludes the Swiss set with minimal alterations, showcasing Liszt's enduring appreciation for the original concept.