Search - Various Artists :: Music From the Old World

The real deal

anonymousinlosangeles | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Badly neglected in World Music bins throughout the US, good recordings of genuine Alpine music are almost nowhere to be found. Instead, "Chicken Dance" and similar "Oompah"-shlock is giving this wonderful tradition a bad name. WDR, the richest and second biggest broadcaster in Europe, has included this wonderful compilation of Bavarian, Austrian, Swiss and other Alpine artists in it's outstanding World Network series. If you buy only one CD of Alpine music, this is the one to get. In addition to zithers, hammered dulcimers, real yodeling, accordions etc., you'll also find two tracks of Alphorns (those really, really long straight "alpine didgeridoos") in tasteful and well recorded performances. The disc focuses on "Stub'nmusi" (small "chamber music" style ensembles) and doesn't include the bigger brass dance bands, but there is more than enough here to give you a thorough impression of the world of Alpine music. By the way, if you know the Viennese classical tradition of Mozart and Haydn, you'll understand some of it's roots a little better after listening to this disc. Highly recommended."