《Années de pèlerinage》 (also translated as 'Years of Pilgrimage' or 'Pilgrimage Years') is a collection of piano solo pieces consisting of four volumes: 《Première Année》, 《Deuxième Année》, 《Deuxième Année: Supplément》, and 《Troisième Année》. It compiles works composed by Liszt from his twenties to his sixties, showcasing his astonishing pianism and his innate talent for pictorial expression.

《Années de pèlerinage, Première Année: Suisse》 was composed between 1835 and 1836, based on impressions from his travels in Switzerland with Countess Marie d'Agoult.

《Première Année: Suisse》 was initially published several times between 1836 and 1842 as Album d'un voyageur (a work with a complex genesis, consisting of three parts and a total of nineteen pieces, published under various titles). (Ultimately, all three parts were published together by Haslinger in Vienna in October 1842). Liszt himself stated about Album d'un voyageur that he "expressed the strongest emotions and the most vivid impressions in sound."

The Années de pèlerinage, Première Année: Suisse, well-known today, is a collection of nine pieces, revising five pieces from the first part and two from the second part of Album d'un voyageur, and adding two new pieces. It was published by Schott in 1855, during his time as Kapellmeister at the Weimar court. While some pieces, like No. 6 "Vallee d'Obermann," are linked to literary works, the majority are closely related to Swiss nature and folk songs.

No. 1 "La chapelle de Guillaume Tell" / 「ウィリアム・テルの聖堂」

Depicts William Tell, the legendary hero associated with Swiss independence. It begins with solemn and majestic phrases, illustrating William Tell's journey towards victory. At the end of the piece, the opening phrases are movingly recapitulated.

No. 2 "Au lac de Wallenstadt" / 「ワレンシュタットの湖で」

The title is taken from Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. A charming pastoral piece.

The left-hand accompaniment evokes the motion of oars, accompanying a graceful and serene melody.

No. 3 "Pastorale" / 「牧歌」

A 'pastorale' is a work that depicts or expresses a pastoral scene or atmosphere, originally an instrumental piece of Italian origin imitating the shepherd's pipes at the scene of Christ's Nativity. It is characterized by a gentle 12/8 (or 6/8) meter, parallel thirds, sustained bass, and contrasting phrases. In this work, an impressive theme with a gentle melody and sustained bass appears, alongside a contrasting theme that is short and rhythmic, repeated throughout. The ending leads directly into the next piece without a perfect cadence.

No. 4 "Au bord d'une source" / 「泉のほとりで」

The title is from the poem The Exiles by the German poet Schiller. A charming pastoral piece, brimming with freshness as its title suggests. It is the most well-known piece in Première Année: Suisse, and is often performed as a standalone work. It is considered a masterpiece that foreshadows the later Les jeux d'eaux à la Villa d'Este.

No. 5 "Orage" / 「夕立」

The title is taken from Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. It pictorially depicts a mountain storm. It was newly composed in 1855 during his time as Kapellmeister at the Weimar court, and is a remarkably virtuosic piece within the collection.

No. 6 "Vallee d'Obermann" / 「オーベルマンの谷」

The title is from Senancour's Obermann. Obermann is written in the form of letters from the protagonist Obermann to a friend, depicting the protagonist's spiritual journey. The piece masterfully expresses the protagonist's experiences. It is the longest piece in the collection (approximately 14-15 minutes). The entire piece is structured around the transformation of the opening theme. The technique of thematic transformation, along with his innovative harmony, forms Liszt's unique style.

No. 7 "Eglogue" / 「牧歌」

The title is taken from Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.

An 'eclogue' is a term referring to a bucolic or pastoral work, originally often applied to literary works in dialogue form. In the 19th century, it came to be primarily used for piano works. The first to use it was Tomášek (1774-1850, a Bohemian composer), who published seven collections of eclogues starting in 1807. Most of these are gentle pieces in binary form.

Liszt's work is based on a Swiss shepherd's song. Although it was thought to have been newly added, similar to No. 5, today it is widely believed to have been composed as early as 1836.

No. 8 "Le mal du pays" / 「郷愁」

The title is from Obermann by the French writer Senancour. It is said to be a musical setting of a passage from the work, where the protagonist Obermann writes to a friend from Paris, expressing his longing for the Alps: "My only place to die is the Alps." It is an extremely simple piece with a folk-like atmosphere.

No. 9 "Les cloches de Geneve" / 「ジュネーヴの鐘」

The title is taken from Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. In the early draft of Album d'un voyageur, a quote by Byron is inscribed: "I live not in myself, but I become portion of that around me." This early draft was dedicated to Blandine, the daughter of Liszt and Countess Marie d'Agoult, born in December 1835 (Blandine was a beloved daughter whom Liszt affectionately called 'Monsieur'). The piece's mood seems to offer a glimpse into that gentle and peaceful sentiment.