Though the roots of traditional Swiss folklore music
are a little older it's typical styles were defined in
the 19th century and some of the typical instruments
used today were not known in Switzerland before 1800.
The term Ländlermusic (or short Ländler) is being
used in Switzerland both as a generic term for
traditional rural music and as a specific term for
rural dance music in animated three-four time. Other
rhythms often played in traditional rural Swiss dance
music are Schottisch and Pol...(+)
Though the roots of traditional Swiss folklore music
are a little older it's typical styles were defined in
the 19th century and some of the typical instruments
used today were not known in Switzerland before 1800.
The term Ländlermusic (or short Ländler) is being
used in Switzerland both as a generic term for
traditional rural music and as a specific term for
rural dance music in animated three-four time. Other
rhythms often played in traditional rural Swiss dance
music are Schottisch and Polka.
Typical instruments played by ländler bands include
accordion, clarinet and contrabass. In the German
speaking regions, a smaller variant of the accordion,
the so-called schwyzerörgeli is very popular. In the
prealpine eastern region of Appenzell, string
instruments (violin, cello and, as a local speciality,
dulcimer play a key role). In southern (Italian
speaking) Switzerland, the use of the mandolin shows
traditional ties to Italian culture.
Although originally written for traditional folk
instruments, I created this arrangement for Flute
Quartet.