Folk songs for young (and older) trios
Raphael Benjamin Meyer's trio movements are based on traditional Swiss melodies from the 16th to 20th centuries. They sound good and will delight young players in particular.
The selection of these 17 Swiss folk songs is representative: the most popular from all four language regions are included. Some of them are «art songs» that have become commonplace due to their popularity. The Basel composer and recorder player Raphael Benjamin Meyer presents arrangements in his own publishing house Basilisk, which can be played by any instrument in a trio or as a duo with a piano accompaniment, which results from the lower two voices.
Very helpful is the offer to download individual parts for transposing instruments or with a different clef free of charge via QR code from the publisher's website basilisk-edition.ch to download. In a performance with a string trio, for example, the second part is in viola clef and in the «correct» octave so that it does not overlap the first.
The movement is skillfully done; it is more in the direction of «art music», but sounds extremely good and will give young musicians in particular a lot of pleasure in their first chamber music experience. As is usual in most song collections, there are no tempo markings, only once is it called «Swing». The level of difficulty is low, experience in reading music is an advantage. The lyrics are given with all verses for all songs, which also enables vocal renditions. However, the songs must be transposed for a comfortable singing pitch.
Popular songs with and without author
As familiar as these folk songs may be to the older generation, they will be lost to children and young people if there is less and less singing in elementary school. Today, music schools are taking on the task of preserving our musical tradition. Songs like Luegid vo Bärg and Tal, Le ranz des vaches, Guggisberglied, Le vieux chalet, Aprite le porte, Dorma bain and From Lozärn towards Weggis and many more are brought to the younger generation of musicians or brought to mind thanks to these arrangements.
Less popular songs with well-known authorship such as Weischus dü (Eugen Meyer, *1934), You ask me who I am (Heidi Stucki, 1915-2012) and Anneli where did you go yesterday? (Gottfried Bohnenblust, 1883-1960) have found their way into this collection.
Swiss Trios, for recorders, strings or other instruments arranged by Raphael Benjamin Meyer, score and parts (online), RM 21, Fr.23.50, Basilisk Edition, Basel
