Switzerland: Zäuerli, Yodel of Appenzell

This collection of traditional zäuerli (wordless yodels) was recorded by ethnomusicologist Hugo Zemp in the Appenzell region of northeastern Switzerland, an area known for its dairy farms. Zäuerli are among the most celebrated yodels in the world and have a very distinct sound. Contrasted with the yodeling of central Switzerland, which is high and fast-paced, Appenzell zäuerli are sung in the lower register of the vocal range and feature a relaxed voice, slow tempo, and an elongation of the tones. The yodels compiled here are songs of work—sung while milking cows or herding cattle—social life, and celebration. The liner notes are in English, French, and German.

Track Listing

101	Zäuerli	The Silvesterkläuse	09:01
102	Zäuerli Sung While Milking the Cows	Ernst Pfändler	05:47
103	Zäuerli Sung While Going Up to the Alpine Pastures	Jakob Dietrich, Ernst Frick, Konrad Örtle, Ernst Pfändler	02:36
104	Zäuerli with Schelleschötte (Ringing the Cow Bells)	Ernst Frick, Jakob Dietrich	06:13
105	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (1)	Ernst Pfändler	02:20
106	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (2)	Bernhard Frischknecht	03:49
107	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (3)	Hans-Uli Gähler	02:57
108	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (4)	Ernst Pfändler	02:02
109	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (5)	Hans-Uli Gähler	02:01
110	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (6)	Ernst Pfändler, Fritz Tribelhorn, Silvia Gähler	03:06
111	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (7)	Bernhard Frischknecht	02:50
112	Zäuerli Sung in the Inn (8)	Ernst Pfändler, Fritz Tribelhorn, Silvia Gähler	02:48