Suite über 6 schweizerische Volkslieder explained

The Suite über 6 schweizerische Volkslieder für Orchester (Suite on Six Swiss Folk Songs) is an orchestral piece by Rolf Liebermann, composed in 1944 and published in 1947.^[1] It was performed for the first time on 16 October 1949 by Leopold Stokowski with the New York Philharmonic at the Carnegie Hall, New York.^[2]

The suite was composed during the second world war. At that time patriotism was a more common element in Swiss arts. Rolf Liebermann dedicated this composition to Paul Burkhard, a Swiss composer who pioneered in incorporating Swiss themes in classical music. The light style in which the Swiss songs were arranged, show the influence of Ferruccio Busoni's "Young Classicism".^[3]

The suite consists of six parts:

1. Es isch kei sölige Stamme (Fröhlich bestimmt, Allegro) [There is no such tribe (joyously determined)]
2. Im Aargäu sind zwie Liebi (Gemächlich, Andantino) [In [[Aargau]] there are two lovers (unhurried)]
3. Schönster Abestärn (Ruhig, nicht schleppen, Andante) [Most beautiful evening star (quiet, not too slow)]
4. Durs Oberland uf und durs Oberland ab (Lustig, Allegro moderato) [The highlands up, the highlands down (joyous)]
5. (Langsam, Lento) [There is someone on earth (I want to be with) (slow)]
6. Üsen Ätti (Sehr frisch, Allegro vivace) [Our daddy (very fresh)]

It is orchestrated for w flutes, 2 oboes alternating with English horns, 2 clarinets in B, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns in F, harp. A performance lasts about 11 minutes.

Recordings

• 1956 – Deutsche Grammophon 30 113 EPL, RIAS Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Ferenc Fricsay^[4]
• 1998 – Musica Helvetica MH CD 103.2, Schweizer Kammerphilharmonie conducted by Patrice Ulrich^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: Liebermann, Rolf. Rolf Liebermann. Suite über 6 schweizerische Volkslieder für Orchester. Universal Edition. Vienna. 1947. UE 11716. live. 23 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230122190258/https://www.universaledition.com/rolf-liebermann-429/works/suite-uber-6-schweizerische-volkslieder-5103. 22 January 2023.
2. Web site: A Listing of the Concerts of Leopold Stokowski 1933 to 1949. stokowski.org. live. 9 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409181629/https://www.stokowski.org/Stokowski_Concerts-1933-1949.htm. 9 April 2023.
3. Web site: Swiss Ethnophony – Folk meets Classic. swissinfo.ch. 9 April 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409180106/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/swiss-ethnophony---folk-meets-classic/31819768. 9 April 2023.
4. Web site: Furioso Für Orchestrer / Suite Über Schweizerische Volkslieder. Discogs. 2 April 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409180321/https://www.discogs.com/master/2828978-Rolf-Liebermann-Ferenc-Fricsay-RIAS-Symphonie-Orchester-Berlin-Furioso-F%C3%BCr-Orchestrer-Suite-%C3%9Cber-S. 9 April 2023.
5. Web site: Swiss Ethnophony - Folk Meets Classic. Discogs. 2 April 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230409180459/https://www.discogs.com/release/13312686-Swiss-Chamber-Philharmonic-Patrice-Ulrich-Swiss-Ethnophony-Folk-Meets-Classic. 9 April 2023.