It's Christmas season again, which means it's time for some holiday-themed music treats. First up is a section from Franz Liszt's Weihnachtsbaum ("Christmas Tree"), a suite of 12 pieces written by Liszt in 1873–76, with revisions in 1881. Although the composer led a scandalous life as a young piano virtuoso, in his later years, he joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and took several minor orders within the Catholic Church as as lector, porter, acolyte, and exorcist (but that latter one is for another season). He fashioned this particular work for his granddaughter Daniela, who was born on December 24. Fortunately, it's less of a virtuosic piece than Liszt's usual fare, which means even Scott Drayco could handle it with his injured right hand. The piece uses several several traditional carols including this movement, "In Dulci Jubilo," played here by the conductor/pianist, Myron Romanul:
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