Traditional Instruments – Swiss Folk Music

swissinfo.ch

The rich diversity that distinguishes the Swiss landscape as well as Swiss culture is also reflected by the country's colourful folklore.

There are a number of instruments which, though not in all cases unique to Swiss folk music, are nevertheless associated most readily with Switzerland. The alphorn, the hackbrett (a kind of dulcimer), and the Langnauer- and Schwyzerörgeli (two rustic Swiss types of simple button-key accordions). Most folk musicians in Switzerland are still non-professionals. This fact largely accounts for the spontaneous quality that has always been one of the major attractions of genuine Swiss folk music.


Musical content:

1. Friederich Müller: Alphorn Solo
(Improvisation)

2. Druosberg Boys Schwyzerörgeli-Duo: Abe mit em Bödeli – On With the Dance, Ländler
(Martin)

3. Emmental Folk Musicians: Tanzsundig uf der Lüdere – Sunday Dance On The Lüdern Alp, Mazurka
(M. Weilenmann)

4. Albin Lehman, Glarus zither: Hoch lebe die Glarner Zither – Long Live The Glarus Zither
(Traditional march)

5. Drummers and fifers of the Basel Lälli-Clique: Arabi
(Trad.)

6. Wyssen Band: Jetzt git’s Toby – Toby’s Waltz, Waltz
(Fidelis Wyssen)

7. Original Appenzell String Band: Polka II
(Trad.)

8. Riva San Vitale Mandolin Duo: Potpourri di Canzoni Ticinesi – Ticino medley
(Trad.)

9. Jost Ribary Band: Oeppis Urchigs – Something Genuine, Ländler
(J. Ribary sen.)

10. Aebi Family Band: Liecht und munter – Light and Lively, Schottisch
(J. Aebi)


Production information:

Musica Helvetica MH 8. Swiss Folk Music. Traditional Instruments. Produced 1972/1981 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Traditional Instruments – Swiss Folk Music