My mother often recalls how much I loved to sing Là-haut sur la montagne when I was just three years old. I’m sure I learned to yodel when I was still in the womb, listening to her singing the eresen- Jodel wherever she went. My sisters and I sang from a very early age both on stage and in church with our father, who conducted several different choirs.
So whenever anyone asks me when I learned to sing, I always say, “I never learned how to sing – I came into the world singing!”
Folk songs were part of our everyday life at home and continue to be part of my life on stage. They’re my inspiration and I hope I can always sing with the sense of naturalness that is so key to them. The composer Robert Schumann once said, “Listen carefully to all folk songs; they’re a rich source of the most beautiful melodies, and will open your eyes to the character of different nations.”
When Martin Korn from Sony Music asked me if I would record some Swiss folk songs, I threw myself into the project straightaway. I chose pieces from all four regions of Switzerland, opting for music with which I feel a particular emotional connection – many of my choices are songs I used to sing as a child. I came up with a musical concept for each of them and soon every song had its own shape and colour.
I asked Luca Pianca, one of my most valued musical collaborators, to help me and accompany me on this project. He responded with enormous enthusiasm, writing lots of arrangements and bringing with him the fabulous musicians of his Ensemble Claudiana. I’m delighted to say I’m also accompanied by Alphorn and accordion, as well as being joined on the album by the Chœur des Armaillis de la Gruyère – singer friends from my home region – and by my wonderful mother.
I hope you enjoy these songs and this musical journey around Switzerland! (Marie-Claude Chappuis)
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