Music Boxes And Barrel Organs (MH C73/1973)

swissmusic

Swiss publisher Peter Schifferli owns one of the finest collections of mechanical instruments.

His Zurich publishing house and his home abound with unusual and often bizarre machines and gadgets which at the turn of a crank or the touch of a button will produce an endless variety of charming sounds. Among his treasures we have found instruments especially made to play Christmas music, which we have recorded for your listening pleasure. And Peter Schifferli himself comments how he came to collect those music boxes, barrel organs and other mechanical instruments.

Musical content

1. Lyons
(Barrel Organ)
2. O Tannenbaum
(Barrel Organ)
3. Peter Schifferli comments
4. Süsser die Glocken nie klingen
(Barrel Organ)
5. Peter Schifferli comments
6. The Old Hundreth Psalm
(Music Box)
7. Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen
(Barrel Organ)
8. All Saints
(Music Box)
9. Vom Himmel hoch
(Barrel Organ)
10. Peter Schifferli comments
11. Mount Ephraim
(Music Box)
12. O du fröhliche, o du selige Weihnachtszeit
(Barrel Organ)
13. Peter Schifferli comments
14. Stille Nacht
(Barrel Organ)

Production information

Musica Helvetica. Christmas In Switzerland MH-C 73. Music Boxes and barrel organs. Produced 1973 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Background information

Switzerland is a small alpine nation shaped and influenced by great cultural cross-currents that have swept through Europe over centuries. Out of elements of diversity, the people of this country have forged a distinctly Swiss identity. And music is one of its most eloquent expressions. “Musica Helvetica” explores different facets of music in Switzerland from its earliest beginnings to the latest works of modern Swiss composers, from folk music to rock and jazz. This historical series span the years 1972 to 1998. These recordings are not available.