From Switzerland's four linguistic regions come these musical reflections of customs and traditions heralding the arrival of spring.

Highlights include the ceremonial burning of Old Man Winter at Zurich's "Sechseläuten Festival", and the masked drummers and fifers of the Basel Carnival.

Musical content

1. Children from Engadine: Chalanda Marz
(Trad.)
Canton Grisons
2. Whip cracking
Canton Schwyz
3. Bell ringing
Canton Grisons
4. School Choir of Scuol: Chalanda Marz
(Trad.)
Canton Grisons
5. Exploding Böög (Sechseläuten Festival)
Canton Zurich
6. Alpina Brass Band: Sechseläutenmarsch
(Trad.)
Canton Zurich. Otto Aebi, conductor
7. Lälli-Clique: Morgeschtraich
(Trad.)
Canton Basel
8. Lälli-Clique: Wettsteinmarsch
(H. Suter / F. Berger)
Canton Basel
9. Guggemusig Baggemugge: Guggemusig
Canton Basel
10. Canterini di Locarno: La Maggiolata
(Trad.)
Canton Ticino
11. Jodlerklub Heimelig, Thun: Früehlig
(R. Fellmann)
Canton Berne
12. Choirs and orchestra (from Montreux and Lausanne): La chanson des cerises de mai
(E. Jaques-Dalcroze)
Canton Vaud
Petit Choeur du Collège de Montreux; Choeur des Jeunes Filles de l'Ecole Normale de Lausanne; Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne; Robert Mermoud, conductor
13. Choirs and orchestra (from Montreux and Lausanne): Hymne final au printemps
(E. Jaques-Dalcroze)
Canton Vaud
Petit Choeur du Collège de Montreux; Choeur des Jeunes Filles de l'Ecole Normale de Lausanne; Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne; Robert Mermoud, conductor

Production information

Musica Helvetica MH 19. Swiss Folk Music. Springtime in Switzerland. Produced 1974 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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