O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum "" (; "O fir tree", English: "O Christmas Tree") is a German Christmas song. Based on a traditional folk song, it became associated with the traditional Christmas tree by the early 20th century and sung as a Christmas carol. The modern lyrics were written in 1824, by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz. A "Tannenbaum" is a fir tree. The lyrics do not actually refer to Christmas, or describe a decorated Christmas tree. Instead, they refer to the fir's evergreen quality as a symbol of constancy and faithfulness. Anschütz based his text on a 16th-century Silesian
Weihnachtsbaum (Liszt) have been intended for some collection". This latest version of "Schlummerlied" was first performed at the Aeolian Hall, New York, on 12 November 1921, by John Powell. The first recording of Liszt's "Weihnachtsbaum" was in 1951, by Alfred Brendel. This was also Brendel's own debut recording. Later recordings are by France Clidat, Leslie Howard, Rhondda Gillespie, Roland Pöntinen, Eteri Andjaparidze, Jerome Rose, Pietro Spada and Olivier Vernet. Excerpts have been recorded by Ilona Kabos, Stephen Hough and others. The version for piano four hands (S. 613) was recorded by Roberto Szidon and Richard Metzler. In 1952 Anthony Collins arranged four