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	A Swiss vocalist	00:44
102	En revenant de noces	Vieux Pays Orchestra	01:19
103	Faisons a petite pas	Chanson Valaisan	01:36
104	Es burebuebli - The Farmer Boy	A mixed choir	02:05
105	Am samstig nacht	A mixed choir and accompanying accordionist	02:02
106	Alpenleben	A mixed choir	02:35
107	Song of the Senn	A male singer and accompanying hackbrettist	01:30
201	Mountain Call (1)	An alphornist	01:51
202	March	A drummer and fifer	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 (2)	An alphornist and accompanying cowbell players	01:25