Two Christmas Pieces for L.B. (1949) from Occasional Pieces for Piano (1942-73) 

This collection of sketches, studies and personal tributes was brought together for publication in 1975. Written mainly for amateurs, these pieces weave a personal narrative, giving voice to the gratitude of friendship, the fold of landscape and the articulation of musical tradition. The first two sets – Four Preludes (1942-44) and Two Christmas Pieces for L.B. – are primarily dedicated to Leo Bensemann, an artist known for his powerful regional paintings. The bells that peal through these pieces seem not only to resonate greeting but also the essential identity of Bensemann and the alpine freshness of his paintings - the third prelude in particular is notable for its shifting translations from light to shadow.