The Best of Austria’s Folk Music
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If you’re a fan of Austria’s traditional music, then this blog is for you! We’ll be exploring the best of Austria’s folk music, from the well-known to the more obscure.
What is Folk Music?
Folk music is a type of traditional and usually rural music that used to be passed down orally between generations. Folk songs were usually about the daily life of the people and were often sung while doing work. In recent years, the definition of folk music has been expanded to include any type of music that is performed by singers who take their inspiration from the traditions of their own community, nation, or region.
Origins of Austrian Folk Music
Austrian folk music has been around for centuries, with its roots reaching back to the Middle Ages. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Austrian folk music began to take on a more modern form, blending traditional folk songs with contemporary influences. Today, Austrian folk music is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.
The Alpine Region
Austrian folk music has its origins in the Alpine region of the country. This area is home to a wide variety of folk traditions, including yodeling, polka, and schuhplattler (a traditional Bavarian dance). The Alpine region is also known for its rich trove of folk songs and ballads. Many of these songs tell stories of love, loss, and heroism, and are often passed down from generation to generation.
The Danube Region
The Danube region is home to some of Austria’s most iconic folk music. Most notably, the waltz originates from this region. The first recorded use of the word “waltz” actually comes from a 17th-century German book, which defined it as a “dance in triple time.”
The waltz eventually made its way across Europe, and by the early 19th century, it had become one of the most popular dances in the Western world. Today, the waltz is still a key part of Austrian culture, and its popularity has only grown in recent years.
Other popular folk music styles from the Danube region include yodeling and polka. Yodeling originally developed as a way for Alpine farmers to communicate with each other across distances, but it eventually became a key part of Austrian folk music. Polka is another popular style that originated in Austria; it was originally used as a courtship dance but eventually spread throughout Europe and the Americas.
The Pannonian Region
The Pannonian region is located in the western part of Austria and includes the provinces of Lower Austria, Burgenland, and parts of Styria. This region is known for its lively folk music, which often features tambourines, violins, and accordions. Popular Pannonian folk songs include “Auf der Autobahn” and “Heast as nit.”
Characteristics of Austrian Folk Music
Austrian folk music refers to the music made by the people of Austria. It is typically characterized by its use of major-minor tonality, strophic form, and simple melodies. Austrian folk music has been influenced by both the music of Austria’s neighboring countries and by the music of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Melodies
Austrian folk music is characterized by beautiful melodies, often with a strong danceable rhythm. The music is largely influenced by the country’s Alpine landscapes and has a lot of elements in common with German and Swiss folk music. Instruments you might hear in Austrian folk music include the zither, accordion, clarinet, and trumpet.
Instruments
The Best of Austria’s Folk Music would not be complete without mentioning the characteristic instruments used. The Alpine Horn, or Alpenhorn, is a wooden instrument made from the horn of a cow. It is used as a signaling device in the mountains and is also capable of producing beautiful melodies. The zither is a stringed instrument with multiple strings that is plucked with the fingers. It is often used in solo performances and is also a popular choice for accompaniment in folk songs. The accordion is another popular instrument in Austrian folk music, often used for its lively and upbeat sound.
Dances
The music of Austria has been influenced by its past and present history. The country has many different types of music, from the traditional folk music to the more modern pop and rock.
Austrian folk music is often centered around dancing. There are many different dances that are popular in Austria, such as the waltz, polka, and square dance. The music is usually upbeat and lively, making it perfect for dancing. Many of the traditional dances are still danced today, especially at festivals and special events.
Square dances are a type of folk dance that originated in Europe. They were brought to America by German and Austrian immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Square dances are usually done with four couples arranged in a square formation, with each couple facing the center of the square. The dances are usually done to traditional folk songs, but can also be done to more modern tunes.
Polkas are another type of folk dance that originated in Europe. They were also brought to America by German and Austrian immigrants in the 1800s. Polkas are generally speedy dances that are done in 2/4 or 3/4 time. The most famous polka is probably the “Beer Barrel Polka”, which was written in 1927 by Czechoslovakian immigrant Jaromir Vejvoda.
Waltzes are a type of ballroom dance that originated in Austria in the 18th century. They quickly became popular all over Europe and America. Waltzes are typically slow, romantic dances that are done in 3/4 time. Some of the most famous waltzes include “The Blue Danube” and “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music”.
Notable Austrian Folk Musicians
There are many great Austrian folk musicians who have kept the tradition alive. Some of the most notable musicians include Josef Lanner, Johann Strauss II, Carl Michael Ziehrer, and Anton Bruckner. These musicians have all made great contributions to the world of folk music.
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer and conductor, best known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. His Symphony No. 9 in D Minor is one of the most popular symphonies of all time, and his Te Deum is one of the most frequently performed choral works. Bruckner’s music is characterized by its grandiose scale and ambitious harmonic structure. He was a master of counterpoint and fugue, and his use of chromaticism and dissonance helped to pave the way for the music of the 20th century.
Johann Strauss II
Johann Strauss II (born Johann Baptist Strauss; 25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899), also known as Johann Strauss Jr., the Younger, the Son (German: Sohn), was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet. In his lifetime, he was known as “The Waltz King”, and was largely then responsible for the popularity of the waltz in Vienna during the 19th century.
Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert is one of the most famous Austrian folk musicians. He was born in 1797 and died at a young age of 31. Even though he did not live long, he composed more than 600 songs, 9 symphonies, liturgical music, operas, and many other works. His music style was unique for his time and greatly inspired other composers. Many of his songs were about love, farewells, nature, and loss. Some of his most famous works include “Ave Maria”, “Erlkönig”, “Die Forelle”, “Gretchen am Spinnrade”, and Symphony No. 8 in B minor (Unfinished).
Contemporary Austrian Folk Music
Austria’s folk music scene has been thriving in recent years, with a new generation of musicians bringing the traditional sounds of the country into the 21st century. If you’re looking for the best of Austrian folk music, here are a few names you should know.
Falco
Johann “Hans” Hölzel (19 February 1957 – 6 February 1998), better known by his stage name Falco, was an Austrian singer, songwriter and rapper. He had several international hits, “Rock Me Amadeus”, “Der Kommissar”, “Vienna Calling”, and “Jeanny”. According to his estate, he has sold 20 million albums and 40 million singles, which makes him the best-selling Austrian singer of all time.
Rainhard Fendrich
Rainhard Fendrich is one of the most popular folk musicians in Austria. He is known for his catchy tunes and use of traditional instruments. His music often tells stories about the everyday lives of Austrians.
Wolfgang Ambros
Wolfgang Ambros is a contemporary Austrian folk music singer, songwriter, and lobbyist. He is one of the pioneers of the Austropop genre. His songs are characterized by their simple but catchy melodies and their clever, humorous lyrics. Ambros is also known for his political activism, particularly his work for environmental causes.
