Songs and Dances of Switzerland

Recorded by Laura Boulton in 1953, this compilation brings together an array of traditional Swiss music featuring "Folk Dances, village orchestras, yodeling, choruses, hackbrett, alpine horn and Bell-tree." The songs are recorded live and capture a fun spirit with occasional audience noises such as laughter or the stomping feet of the dancing performers that adds additional rhythmic depth to the songs. Especially interesting and beautiful is the mountain call, performed on the alpine horn to call in the cattle. Boutlon describes the horn playing as having to be in harmony with the mountain echo. Liner notes include an introduction to Swiss music by Laura Boulton along with song lyrics (in French, German and English) and photos.

Track Listing

101	Alpine Yodel (Interlaken) Yodeler, unaccompanied	00:44
102	En revenant de noces Vieux Pays Orchestra	01:19
103	Faisons a petite pas Chanson Valaisan	01:36
104	Folk Song: Es Burebuebli (The Farmer Boy) - Interlaken Mixed chorus	02:05
105	Love Song: Am Samstig Nacht (Interlaken) Mixed chorus with accordion accompaniment	02:02
106	Alp Song: Alpenleben (Zermatt) Mixed chorus	02:35
107	Song of the Senn (Sion) Alpine herdsman with hackbrett accompaniment, Sion	01:30
201	Mountain Call (Interlaken) (1) Alphorn player	01:51
202	March (St. Luc d'Anniviers) Fife player, drummer	01:03
203	Pair Dance Vieux Pays Orchestra	01:03
204	Dance (Schottische) Vieux Pays Orchestra	02:16
205	Dance (Landler Type) Vieux Pays Orchestra	01:56
206	Dance - Seven Steps Vieux Pays Orchestra	02:03
207	Dance (Mazurka) Vieux Pays Orchestra	02:17
208	Mountain Call (Interlaken) (2) Alphorn player	01:25