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Abstract
The Years of Pilgrimage encapsulates a significant portion of Liszts compositional style. Inspired by nature, literature, and works of art, this cycle of three sets for solo piano is an important aspect of Liszts overall output as a composer. The earliest compositions by Liszt that relate to the cycle are from his first multi-piece set, Album dun voyageur (Album of a traveler), referred to hereafter as Album. Liszt revised the Album from 1848-1853 and issued it in 1855 in the form with which we are familiar today as Annes de Plerinage, Premire anne, Suisse (Years of Pilgrimage, First Year, Switzerland). The genesis of these pieces is discussed in this document. It is also accompanied with a recording of the set. These pieces were important to Liszts overall output because they were conceived as inspiration for his orchestral works and served as a bridge to his symphonic poems.