Swing on Snow

Experimental “Folk” Music

4 ALPE | Winter

Swing on Snow Alpe di Siusi WinterMusicFestival

“Swing on Snow” came into being at the start of the new millennium thanks to the vision of Alpe di Siusi’s ski-lift managers. Music on the ski slopes abounds, but often a night of booze and good cheer simply isn’t enough. That’s why South Tyrolean journalist and festival curator Hartwig

Mumelter put together a program with music that would boost the quality levels somewhat. The working title “Swing on Snow” was so well liked by one and all that it went on to become the festival title. Very little “swing”, however is actually played; the groups embody the finest of Alpine folk music at its purest and most experimental: Music that comes from the folk, that has its roots in ancient traditions and that may entail some accustomed sounds. But then again, who can honestly say that they are accustomed to the sounds of the Swiss zither? No doubt the musicians themselves are equally unaccustomed to seeing their saxes freezing as they play. Weather permitting, the hut-concerts in the afternoons will be played in the open air - and with over 300 days of sun in South Tyrol, the chances are high. In the evenings, the villages of Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè allo Sciliar will be enlivened with more traditional sounds as “Swing on Snow” moves a little closer to the traditional “Stubnmusi”, fireside music. »

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concerts in 23 unusual settings: From the 22nd to the 29th of January 2012, visitors to Alpe di Siusi can enjoy a taste of original music at its best: outstanding bands from the Alpine region will be transforming Europe’s highest alpine pasture into one immense stage. 60 kilometres of slopes for Alpine skiers, 80 kilometres of cross-country trails, 30 kilometres of winter walking paths and seven tobogganing slopes totalling 18 kilometres all lead to the “Swing on Snow” concerts. You will also find the King Laurin snow park, 2 speed traps, 4 self-timers, numerous ski parks for kids and romantic horse-drawn carriage rides. The free-entry concerts will take place on the slopes in the mornings, in the mountain huts in the afternoons, and in the villages at the foot of the legendary Sciliar mountain in the evenings. Over 4000 fans are expected for the seventh “Swing on Snow”, the Alpe di Siusi WinterMusicFestival.

Extraordinary bands from around the Alps bring swing to the slopes of Alpe di Siusi and the villages of Castelrotto, Siusi and Fiè allo Sciliar

Text: André Bechtold Photos: Helmuth Rier, André Bechtold, Andrea Zecchini

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Perfect open air arena

“Swing on Snow” is as wide-ranging as it is surprising. There’s one thing that the musicians from Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, GreatBritain and Slovenia have in common, however: the way in which their modern take on traditional folk music mirrors the musical culture of the Alpine area. In 2012 a few surprises are in store for spectators and listeners.

The kick-off on Sunday (January 22, 2012), goes to Austrian “Stelzhamma”, paying tribute in name to the Austrian poet Franz Stelzhammer, at the Alpe di Siusi mountain station. “Stelzhamma” guarantee an entertaining combination of verve and modern musical styles. “Charly” Karlheinz Schmid’s fourpiece band is refreshing and fast-paced, ever with a glimmer of wit and a swinging ease. “Stelzhamma” will play the morning concerts until Thursday and can be heard all over the slopes of Alpe di Siusi.

In the mornings from Friday January 27th 2012 until the following Sunday, local band “Bifunk” are a must-hear and above all, a must-see. When the

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entertaining band is on stage no feet can remain still, and before long skiers are sure to pull up and join in the dancing on their skis. Giorgio Beberi has found here not only experienced musicians but also a highly entertaining team, whose polonaise in the snow is by now legendary.

The Hotel Icaro open the “Swing on Snow” 2012 afternoon concerts on Sunday (January 22, 2012), playing host to 6-member band “Crossfiedler” at 1pm. Don’t panic if you hear talk of Knödel (dumplings) seasoned with piri-piri – it’s just a spot-on description of the crossover style of “Crossfiedler”: Fireside music meets samba night in New Delhi with Irish fiddle tunes. Icarus would undoubtedly have planned his flight to greater effect if he’d had the benefit of these spellbinding strains.

At the heart of Castelrotto’s history and in the centre of the famed village, the memory of Kraus Fodor von Sala, aristocratic landowner of Hungarian descent, lives on, above all in the imposing Krausegg

Palace. Just a few metres down the Kofelgasse from the palace, you will find the old courthouse to your right. Now the Hotel Zum Turm, on Monday (January 23, 2012), it provides the perfect setting for the “Crossfiedler” concert at 9 p.m. Young landlords Günther & Gabi will be your hosts for the evening in this historical building.

A Spafudla is a character, a lovable rogue, or one who brandishes a torch. Equally as curious are the “Saltner”, the traditional herdsmen of Alpe di Siusi, whose role was laid out in no uncertain terms as far back as the 16th century; among the inventory of what they must and, more importantly, mustn’t do, regulations stated that he had to keep a discreet distance from women, all the more so if dairymaids or spinsters. The “Saltner” of Alpe di Siusi today welcome the Austrian quartet “Spafudla” to their mountain hut on Monday (January 23, 2012). And who knows? Perhaps a few of the Saltner from days gone by will creep out from their hide-outs on the Sassopiatto to enjoy the music of Bernadette and

Lucia Froihofer who, together with their brother Gabriel and all-round talent Daniel Fuchsberger, play with passion, humour and originality.

If the old guardians should ever decide to abandon their pastures, it would be to see “Spafudla” on Tuesday (January 24, 2012) at 9 p.m. in the Vinebar Rubin in Castelrotto. Host Sandra Schgaguler will be serving exceptional wines, while the music of Castelrotto is in good hands for the evening.

And there’s much more to see and hear: Hotel Palindrome with Albin Paulus, one of the world’s leading virtuosos on the Jew’s harp, playing in the Alpenhotel Panorama and the Hotel Heubad. Austrian “boy-band” Federspiel will be cheering the Tirler, and later the Sanon hut for the end of the festival, with their Hungarian-influenced sounds.

Christine Lauterburg from Switzerland is playing with “Doppelbock” at the Molignon hut, guest of restaurant owner of “Alfio”, whose wife Meggi will be preparing some special drinks for the »

Info box More information on bands, dates and places can be found at www.swingonsnow.com.

If you’ve missed “Swing on Snow 2012” live, you can listen to the bands and two of each of their songs on the CD of the same name and mark the dates in your diary for the “Alpe di Siusi WinterMusicFestival Swing on Snow 2013”, beginning on Sunday January 20th and ending on Sunday January 27th 2013.

Easier to remember: “Swing on Snow” takes place in the last week of January every year!

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Brass and wood

occasion on the terrace. “Doppelbock” will be also be playing in the Romantik Hotel Turm in the evening, while Slovenian Gypsy band “Langa” will be performing in the breathtaking setting of the mountain cabin Zallinger, in the heart of Alpe di Siusi. 9 p.m. on Thursday (January 26, 2012) will see you straight from the slopes to Après Ski Santner at the valley station of the Alpe di Siusi, where Hermann Trocker and his team will be mixing some distinctive cocktails to go along with the passionate music of “Langa”, while at the Williams hut the “Col de Carlot” will be shaking to the sounds of French accordionist Miranda Cortes and the fiery temperament of British Marianne Wade.

Sunday (January 22, 2012) is a date to remember: “Swing on Snow 2012” will be staging the progressive folk music of cult Tyrolean band “Opas Diandl” at the Hotel Genziana in Siusi allo Sciliar.

The grand finale on Saturday night (January 28, 2012) sees the appearance of “Aluna”, an interesting “duet” with best-selling author Veit Heinichen in the majestic hall of Castle Prösels. South Tyrol is one of the themes, and Oswald von Wolkenstein will certainly get a mention.

Post Script: On the way to Alpe di Siusi on the cable car from Siusi to Compaccio, travellers will see a castle ruin in the wood under the Santner peak. This is Hauenstein/ Castelvecchio, the famed castle in which, half a millennium ago, Oswald von Wolkenstein wrote some of the most influential songs in the German language. He couldn’t suffer the sight of snow, and wrote “The sorrow is leaving my heart, as at long last the snow is melting and flowing down from the Alpe di Siusi and the Flack”. Who knows what he would have made of “Swing on Snow”! Possibly he would have said “The sorrow is leaving my heart, as at long last I can ski on Alpe di Siusi once more”. Maybe he’s listening to the concerts too, together with the guardians, witches, fairies, King Laurin and the fairytale kingdom between the Sassolungo, the Sassopiatto and the Sciliar. «

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