Alpine Tones Festival in Altdorf – where the mountains set the mood and the cable cars sing – the culture

“There is hardly a region more dynamic than the Alps. We now know this from landslides and exploding glaciers, ”explains Boris Previsik. It is part of the festival’s artistic direction.

But mountains don’t just make noises when there’s dramatic disturbance: “They’re constantly moving because of that pressure. Mountains are still growing.”

2. The soft sound of the cable car

legend:

Urner Inventor: Professor of music Michiel Roth started his musical experiment two years ago with students.

Alpine Sounds Festival

Composer Ori Michel Roth also prepares music from the sounds of the Alps. His specialty: the sound of the cable car from Schächental. The cable car’s carrying and traction cables act like the strings of a musical instrument. Only one usually does not see its overtones and chords in the lowest frequency range.

3. Wild gang

legend:

Together “Young Talents” come from all language regions. Patricia Draeger brings them together in an orchestra.

Alpine Sounds Festival

Patricia Draeger, one of Switzerland’s most creative accordionists, leads the colorful group: «I find it exciting to work on free things with young people and give them a different perspective on music. Some play their pieces of popular music, others classical music. I think it’s really cool to get that together and learn from each other.”

And 21-year-old dulcimer player Alicia Heim liked the group: “Everyone brings their own musical style and flair. I find it very exciting to see how different folk music can be from different cantons.”

But not only with Swiss folk music, but also with Scottish and Italian sounds. The Swedish nyckelharpa, a type of violin with a key, is also used.

The festival, which has always focused on the further creative development of folk music, presents all the variety of Alpine tunes.