Franz Manser awarded Innerrhoden Culture Prize
Accordionist and composer Franz Manser receives the Innerrhoden Culture Prize. He is being honored for his many years of work and commitment to Appenzell folk music.
Franz Manser began playing the Schwyzerörgeli as a primary school pupil, but soon switched to the hand organ and gave his first public performance at the age of 14. Since then, he has played in various formations and, according to the canton's press release, has become an integral part of the folk music scene. As a composer, he has written around 70 to 80 pieces, including numerous waltzes, Schottisch and Ruggusseli, which are now an integral part of the Appenzell repertoire.
His unmistakable style combined tradition with a lively joy of playing and made folk music famous far beyond the canton's borders, the canton added. In addition to his musical activities, Franz Manser ran a road construction business and ran a restaurant.
