Alpine folk music (german: Alpenländische Volksmusik;
German's ''Volksmusik'' means "people's music" or as a Germanic connotative translation, "folk's music"
) is the common umbrella designation of a number of related styles of
traditional folk music of the
Germanosphere, particularly in the
Alpine regions of
Slovenia,
Northern Croatia,
Germany,
Austria
Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
,
Switzerland
). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...
and
South Tyrol (
Italy).
It tends to be dialect-heavy and invokes local and regional lifestyles, cultures and traditions, particularly, those of the
Alpine farmers and peasants.
Originally transmitted by
oral tradition, the oldest historical records like the Appenzell ''
Kuhreihen
A ''Ranz des Vaches'' or ''Kuhreihen'' is a simple melody traditionally played on the horn by the Swiss Alpine herdsmen as they drove their cattle to or from the pasture. The ''Kuhreihen'' was linked to the Swiss nostalgia and Homesickness (al ...
'' by
Georg Rhau (1488–1548) date back to the 16th century. Alpine folk is characterized by
improvisation
Improvisation is the activity of making or doing something not planned beforehand, using whatever can be found. Improvisation in the performing arts is a very spontaneous performance without specific or scripted preparation. The skills of impr ...
and
variation
Variation or Variations may refer to:
Science and mathematics
* Variation (astronomy), any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite, particularly of the moon
* Genetic variation, the difference in DNA among individual ...
, uncomplicated
major key melodies and simple
harmonies. Typical instruments range from
alpenhorns to
hackbretts,
zithers and acoustic
guitars, and even
violas
; german: Bratsche
, alt=Viola shown from the front and the side
, image=Bratsche.jpg
, caption=
, background=string
, hornbostel_sachs=321.322-71
, hornbostel_sachs_desc=Composite chordophone sounded by a bow
, range=
, related=
*Violin family ...
and
harmonica
The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica inclu ...
s. Harmonized singing is frequent, but other pieces may require
yodeling, while
instrumental arrangements are particularly frequent for fast dances or brass pieces.
Alpine folk continues to be performed by many local ensembles and bands throughout the European Alps and should not be confused with ''
Volkstümliche Musik'', which is largely to be found in
broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began ...
media and on ancillary
merchandise
Merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer. At a retail in-store level, merchandising refers to displaying products that are for sale in a creative way that entices customers to purchase more i ...
. Since the 1970s, artists of a ''
Neue Volksmusik
Neue Volksmusik (sometimes also called Volxmusik or Tradimix; English for "New folk music") describes the crossover music, crossover mix of traditional German folk music (''Volksmusik'') with newer genres such as jazz, Contemporary folk music, con ...
'' genre, such as
Werner Pirchner or
Biermösl Blosn
Biermösl Blosn was a Bavarian musical and cabaret band known for combining satirical texts with traditional folk music. It was founded in 1976 by three brothers - , and - and often works with political cabaret artist Gerhard Polt. The name d ...
, attempt to combine traditional styles with
jazz,
folk,
electronic music,
rock et al. as a kind of
world music. Popular proponents include
Hubert von Goisern,
Attwenger
Attwenger (formed 1990) is a musical duo from Linz, Austria. The group is made up of drummer Markus Binder and button accordion player Hans-Peter Falkner; both members also sing.
Attwenger's music is an unusual combination of Upper Austrian fo ...
and
Christine Lauterburg.
See also
*
Austrian folk dance
Austrian folk dancing is mostly associated with Schuhplattler, Ländler, polka and waltz. However, there are other dances such as Zwiefacher, ''Kontratänze'' and ''Sprachinseltänze''.
Types of dance
In Austria, folk dances in general are known ...
*
La Lupa, singer and performer from the Alps region
*
Michael Bredl (1916–1999), a collector of traditional Swabian and Bavarian Volksmusik
Bibliography
* Marcello Sorce Keller, ''Tradizione orale e tradizione corale: ricerca musicologica in Trentino'', Bologna, Forni Editore, 1991.
* Marcello Sorce Keller, “Gebiete, Schichten und Klanglandschaften in den Alpen. Zum Gebrauch einiger historischer Begriffe aus der Musikethnologie”, in T. Nussbaumer (ed.), ''Volksmusik in den Alpen: Interkulturelle Horizonte und Crossovers'', Zalzburg, Verlag Mueller-Speiser, 2006.
* Marcello Sorce Keller, "Costantino Nigra und die Balladen-Forschung. Betrachtungen über die Beziehung zwischen Nord-Italien, Frankreich und der Suisse Romande". ''Bulletin. Gesellschaft für die Volksmusik in der Schweiz'', X(2011), 33-40.
See also
*
Schunkeln
Schunkeln (, ) is the name in the German language used to describe a certain rhythmic movement to the beat of a song, people link arms and sway side to side on the spot. This is done either standing or sitting were people move side to side on th ...
(sway dance)
*
Music of Germany
*
Austrian folk dancing
References
External links
Volksmusiknet, all about Swiss Volksmusik with 24/7 Nonstop Music-Radio and CD Novelties
{{Folk music
German folk music
+