Stringed Instruments: Zither and Hackbrett – Swiss Folk Instruments

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Swiss folk music still embrace the zither, a latter-day descendant of the ancient psaltry and the hackbrett, a smaller sized cousin of the cymbalon of the Hungarian gypsies.

The hackbrett was mentioned officially for the first time in a Zurich document dating from the mid-15th century. Both instruments exist in different regional varieties, and their making and playing are skills which have been handed down from generation to generation.


Musical content:

1. Paul Moser: ‘s Munotglöggli – Little Bell Of The Munot Castle
(F. Buomberger)
Paul Moser, “Hexenscheit”

2. Fritz Ineichen (Spiez, Canton Berne): Luzerner Tanzlied – Lucerne Polka
(Trad.)
Fritz Ineichen, violin harp

3. Margrit Ulrich and Marie Gwerder (Muotathal, Canton Schwyz): Muotathaler Tanz – Muotathal Dance
(Trad.)
Margrit Ulrich and Marie Gwerder, “Schwyzer Zithers”

4. Julia Vollmar (Wil, Canton St. Gall): Vaters Jödeliwalzer – Father’s Yodel Waltz
(Trad.)
Julia Vollmar, “Glarner Zither”

5. Ida Bleiker (Ebnat-Kappel, Canton St. Gall): Vaters Polka – Father’s Polka
(Trad.)
Ida Bleiker, “Toggenburger Halszither”

6. “Toggenburger Halszither” group (Ebnat-Kappel, Canton St. Gall): Chrüzeggler Naturjodel – Natural Yodel
(Trad.)
With mixed choir

7. “Bürkli Family Halszither Quartet” (Kriens, Canton Lucerne): Mys Gygali – My Little Violin
(Trad., arr. S. Bürkli)
The “Bürkli Family Halszither Quartet” comprises three “Krienser Halszithers”, bass and lute

8. H. Rechsteiner (Trogen, Canton Appenzell-Ausserrhoden): Überliefertes Zäuerli – Improvised Appenzell Yodel
(Trad.)
H. Rechsteiner: hackbrett

9. “Bänziger String Group” (Herisau, Canton Appenzell-Ausserrhoden): Wälserli – Little Waltz
(A. Düsel.)
The “Bänziger String Group” comprises two violins, hackbrett, cello and bass

10. A. Walpen (Grengiols, Canton Valais): Mazurka
(A. Walpen)
A. Walpen, hackbrett

11. E. and M. Volken (Brigerberg, Canton Valais): Dr Walpeni-Marsch – Walpen March
(J. Walpen)
E. and M. Volken, hackbrett

12. “Folkmusic Group Obergoms” (Obergoms, Canton Valais): ‘s Heimfahri – Riding Home
(Trad.)
The “Folkmusic Group Obergoms” comprises hackbrett, clarinet, accordion and bass


Production information:

Musica Helvetica 55. Swiss Folk Instruments. Stringed Instruments (Zither and Hackbrett). Produced 1976 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Stringed Instruments: Zither and Hackbrett – Swiss Folk Instruments