Schweyzer dantz

Let's get straight to the point: The collection of around 90 monophonic melodies that Christoph Greuter has compiled from manuscripts and prints of the 16th and 17th centuries of Swiss provenance or with a connection to Switzerland and arranged for practical use is a stroke of luck. The author, a lutenist who graduated from the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and a specialist in historical plucked instruments, is also well versed in various guitar styles. In his extensive studies, including the electric guitar with slide technique, he realized that older Swiss folk music is not only suitable for historical instruments, but for all melody instruments.

The researcher and professional musician has carried out extensive research into 20 manuscripts from Switzerland, primarily from the Basel University Library and the Fundaziun Planta in Samedan, as well as several printed lute and organ tablatures (fingerings) from neighboring countries for secular Swiss melodies (e.g. Schweyzer dantz, Zürich Tantz, Marche suisse, Solothurner danz, Pretigauwer Dantz) and transcribed them in the original keys. In addition, there are chord sequences notated in letters for accompanying instruments, so that the edition is suitable for historically oriented instrumentalists, for amateur music-making and especially for music education needs. Christoph Greuter's professionally arranged treasure trove of melodies will also inspire minstrels and folkies who have had to prepare their own material up to now and who have had to translate pieces handed down in tablature into modern notation rather badly. The Swiss Renaissance and Baroque melodies, which are now so easily accessible, are also likely to inspire composers and experimental folk musicians to develop them further.

The 60-page music book concentrates on dances and songs that the editor has found and arranged over 15 years of work. For a second volume, one would like to see melodies that are referred to in Swiss flyer songs and that can usually be found. It is also advisable to examine the historical Basel carnival marches that can be traced back to the field play of the old Swiss Confederates.

Christoph Greuter has thankfully sifted through individual works by Arnold Geering, Hans in der Gand, Martin Staehelin, Joachim Marx, Robert Grossmann and other musicologists and ethnologists, added further finds and harmonized all the melodies for practical use. He has thus filled a gap in Switzerland's musical monuments and made a significant contribution to the intangible cultural heritage.

Radix. The earliest Swiss music in the popular idiom. Music in the old Swiss Confederation from music manuscripts and prints of the 16th and 17th centuries, edited by Christoph Greuter, order no. 1068, Fr. 29.00, Mülirad Verlag, Altdorf 2014