Switzerland a cappella
A cappella pieces in all national languages, English and Latin from Antognini to Vögele.
Switzerland has a lot to offer in the field of choral music thanks to its different national languages and the associated cultural areas. The Swiss federation Europa Cantat took this as an opportunity to publish a compact choral book with Carus-Verlag, which aims to reflect this diversity and make it better known internationally. A challenging undertaking.
The result is an interesting collection of 28 pieces of varying length and difficulty for mixed choir a cappella in all national languages as well as English and Latin. It includes folk song highlights, works by well-known and lesser-known composers from the Swiss choral music scene, short pieces by the "stars" Heinz Holliger and Beat Furrer and the latest compositions by the younger generation, including four female composers.
In addition to truly original and recommendable works, the now widespread, sales-oriented soft sound with the same old cuddly chords also finds its way into choral music. Perhaps it would have been worth taking a look at truly representative greats such as Willy Burkhard, Adolf Brunner, Arthur Honegger or Frank Martin. However, QR codes for the pronunciation of the three Rhaeto-Romanic pieces and beautiful recordings of all the works on CD with the Swiss Youth Choir are useful additions.
Swiss Choral Music, Chorbuch Schweiz (SATB), edited by Patrick Secchiari and Johannes Meister; Carus, Stuttgart.
Orders from Switzerland via Editions Henry Labatiaz: Choir book CV 2.305/10, Fr. 23.00; choir book with CD, CV 2.305.00, Fr. 37.00 (lower graduated and special prices for SFEC members)
