This edition introduces some of the youngest up-and-coming talents on Switzerland's folk music scene.

The performers are 11-year-old Claudia Cathomen on the mighty alphorn, the teenage brother-and-sister accordion duo of Nicole and Jacky, Les Trois Copains (on accordions and trombone), and accordion playing twins Jürg and Peter Schär. Proof indeed that folk music is still very much alive in Switzerland. Even among the young generation.

Musical content

1. Claudia Cathomen: Traditional alphorn air
Claudia Cathomen, alphorn
2. Nicole and Jacky: Au Sommet des Rangiers - At the Summit of the Rangiers, Ländler
(G. Hofstetter / M. Nouveau)
Nicole and Jacky, accordions
3. Nicole and Jacky: Souvenir of Manhattan, March Polka
(J. Thomet / F. Heller)
Nicole and Jacky, accordions
4. Les Trois Copains: La Transjurane - Across the Jura, Waltz
(G. Hofstetter / G. Schwab)
Stephane and Marie-Line Chapuis, accordions; Stephane trachsel, trombone
5. Les Trois Copains: Moineau d'Artois - The Sparrow of Artois, Polka
(G. Hofstetter / E. Probst)
Stephane and Marie-Line Chapuis, accordions; Stephane trachsel, trombone
6. Schär Twins: Veteranen-Marsch - March of the Veterans
(E. Stock)
Peter and Jürg Schär, accordions
7. Schär Twins: The Ländler Fan, Ländler
(J. Schär)
Peter and Jürg Schär, accordions
8. Schär Twins: Kreuz und quer - Criss-Cross, Fast Polka
(P. Schär)
Peter and Jürg Schär, accordions

Production information

Musica Helvetica. New Swiss Talents NST 8. Young Country Artists. Produced 1981 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 1973 to 1998. These recordings are not available.

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