Christmas In Switzerland – New Christmas Carols from French-speaking Switzerland (C 83/1983)

swissmusic

Christmas comes but once a year. But every year it's the same old songs! Perhaps this was the thought behind an interesting iniative taken by producer Jean-Louis Roy of Switzerland's French-language Radio and Television.

His idea was an annual competition for new Christmas carols, written by composers and lyricists from that region. The contest is called the Golden Star, and this edition features award-winning carols from 1980, 1981 and 1982.

Musical content

1. Ensemble Romand d’instruments de cuivre: Opening Fanfare
(Roy)
André Besançon, conductor
2. Children’s Choir of the Secondary School of Moutier: Jamais on n’avait vu..- Never Did One See a Night as Beautiful and Sweet as This
(J. Mamie)
Jean Mamie, conductor
From the 1980 Competition
3. La Chanson du Pays de Neuchâtel Choir: Noël, c’est un enfant – Christmas Is a Child
(P. Huwiler / B. Ducarroz)
Pierre Huwiler, conductor
From the 1980 Competition
4. Children’s Choir Petit-Choeur de Ste-Thérèse, Fribourg: Noël à danser – Christmas Dance
(A. Ducret / Cl.-A. Rio)
André Ducret, conductor
From the 1980 Competition
5. Children’s Choir Le Petit Choeur du Collège de Montreux: Etoile, dis-moi – Tell Me Beautiful Star
(M. Hostettler / F. Hostettler)
Michel Hostettler, conductor
From the 1981 Competition
6. Mixed Choir La Chanson du Thône, Sierre: Entre lune et claire de neige – Between the Moon and the Snow so Bright
(J. Daetwyler / G. Zufferey)
Jean Daetwyler, conductor
From the 1982 Competition
7. Mixed Choir Cantilène, Geneva: Petit âne gris – Little Grey Donkey
(J. Gouël)
Joëlle Gouël, conductor
From the 1982 Competition

Production information

Musica Helvetica. Christmas In Switzerland MH-C83. New Christmas Carols from French-speaking Switzerland. Produced 1983 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Background information

Switzerland is a small alpine nation shaped and influenced by great cultural cross-currents that have swept through Europe over centuries. Out of elements of diversity, the people of this country have forged a distinctly Swiss identity. And music is one of its most eloquent expressions. “Musica Helvetica” explores different facets of music in Switzerland from its earliest beginnings to the latest works of modern Swiss composers, from folk music to rock and jazz. This historical series span the years 1973 to 1998. These recordings are not available.