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	n/a	00:44
102	En Revenant de Noces (Love Song)	Vieux Pays Orchestra	01:19
103	Faisons a Petite Pas (Dance Song)	Chanson Valaisan	01:36
104	Es Burebuebli - The Farmer Boy (Folk Song) Bern-Oberland Dialect	n/a	02:05
105	Am Samstig Nacht (Love Song)	n/a	02:02
106	Alpenleben (Alp Song)	n/a	02:35
107	Song of the Senn	n/a	01:30
201	Mountain Call	n/a	01:51
202	March	n/a	01:03
203	Pair Dance	Vieux Pays Orchestra	01:03
204	Dance (Schottische)	n/a	02:16
205	Dance (Landler Type)	n/a	01:56
206	Dance - Seven Steps	n/a	02:03
207	Dance (Mazurka)	n/a	02:17
208	Mountain Call	n/a	01:25