Lars David Kellner - Franz Liszt: Harmonium Works, Vol. 1 (2020) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

Franz Liszt achieved great fame throughout Europe at a young age, primarily through his virtuoso performance on the piano. Then, at a more mature age, he turned away more and more from the secular world and found deeper insight and inspiration in faith. Likewise, other keyboard instruments such as the organ and harmonium gained in importance for the composer.

Liszt's love of a wide variety of keyboard instruments is reflected for instance in his private instrument collection: in addition to various concert grand pianos, a glass piano and a harmonium piano, there is also a big suction wind harmonium. It is very likely that Liszt's late works with or for solo harmonium were also intended for this type of instrument.

The pieces often have a breathing dynamic, they are completely directed inward - just like the air current in the harmonium. Therefore, a suction wind instrument with its intimate sound seems virtually predestined for the musical performance.

With the explicit instrumentation 'for harmonium or organ' (e.g. in the "Pope's Hymn") or 'piano ossia armonium' ("Christmas Tree"), Liszt assigns the harmonium an equal role to other keyboard instruments. In spite of all this, many pieces have been recorded only on the organ or the piano - recordings with the harmonium are rare or not available at all.

This album contains some solo works by Franz Liszt, recorded for the first time with a harmonium.

Tracklist:
1. Christmas Tree, S. 186: I. Altes Weihnachtslied (Psallite) (02:49)
2. Christmas Tree, S. 186: II. O heilige Nacht! (05:43)
3. Christmas Tree, S. 186: III. In dulci jubilo (03:29)
4. Christmas Tree, S. 186: IV. Adeste fideles (04:28)
5. Ave Maria, S. 667 (03:22)
6. Ave Maria, S. 545 (03:27)
7. A Magyarok Istene, S. 674 (04:18)
8. Gebet, S. 265 (02:18)
9. Resignazione!, S. 187a (01:59)
10. Am Grabe Richard Wagners, S. 267 (03:37)
11. Der Papst-Hymnus, S. 261 (05:01)
12. O sacrum convivium, S. 674a (07:32)


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