The central Swiss town of Altdorf stages a folk music festival of a different kind: modern-day musicians playing all genres of music go back to the roots of mountain music, which includes yodeling as well as Alphorn playing.

The central Swiss town of Altdorf stages a folk music festival of a different kind: modern-day musicians playing all genres of music go back to the roots of mountain music, which includes yodeling as well as Alphorn playing.

Organisers say the idea behind the three-day festival – which is called “Alpentöne” or “Alpine sounds” and lasts until Sunday -- is to counter the trend of “diluting traditional folk music in order to make it appeal to a mass audience.”

The musicians’ artistic idea is to open up traditional mountain music and combine it with other musical influences, such as classical music or jazz.

The musicians hail from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia and France, which share an Alpine music culture in the heart of Europe.

Some groups were formed specifically for the festival – for instance the “European American Alphorn Choir.”

From staff and wire reports.

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