Historical facts about Schwyz folk music
A "Schwyz booklet" published by the Schwyz Cantonal Culture Commission on the history of folk music in the inner part of the canton has met with a surprisingly high level of interest. The canton has now reprinted it.
The booklet on the origins and history of Central Swiss country music, which was printed in an edition of 900 copies, was completely sold out within three weeks, according to a statement from the canton. A second edition has now been published and is available again with immediate effect.
Instrumental folk music has always played an important role in the canton of Schwyz, especially in the inner part of the canton. Numerous musicians known throughout Switzerland come from this region. In addition to well-known names such as Kasi Geisser, Piitschä-Wysel, Toni Bürgler and others, numerous other musicians have played for dancing and entertainment in the Schwyz villages from Küssnacht to Goldau, in the Schwyz valley basin, Muotathal, Illgau, Gersau, but also in the mountain region of Sattel and Rothenthurm over the last 100 years or so, whose names are known only to a few today. The new 204-page booklet is dedicated to all these well-known and unknown folk musicians.
Available is the Schwyz magazine from the Cantonal Cultural Commission Schwyz at a price of CHF 25 plus postage and packaging. Available during office hours on 041 819 20 88 or by e-mail kulturfoerderung.afk@sz.ch.
Photo above (from left): Franz Föhn senior, Franz Schmidig junior, Franz Schmidig senior and Franz Föhn junior.
