Naxos Travelogue - A Musical Tour of the Graubünden,
Switzerland
Music for the tour is taken from four Concerti Grossi by Handel (1865-1759)
Music played by the Capella Istropolitana/Josef Kopelma from Naxos CD 8.550157
No recording dates or venues given
DVD Director: G. Gachet
Cameraman: M. Weiss
NTSC. Aspect Ratio 4:3. Colour. Sound formats: DTS 5.1. Dolby Digital 5.1.
PCM Stereo 2.
NAXOS 
DVD
2.110541 [54.59]
The Swiss are the most linguistically and culturally diverse
western European nation. It’s diversity derives from its history, having existed
as the world’s oldest democracy for some seven hundred years. After internal
religious conflict, the Congress of Vienna guaranteed its independence and
neutrality in 1815. A new federal state of Cantons was formed in 1848 with
Bern as the capital. The Cantons reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity
of the country. With borders with France, Germany and Italy these are the
appropriate languages of the population who usually speak at least two along
with English. The diversity of the geography also influences the artistic
and cultural milieu.
The canton of Graubünden, the Grey Leagues, covers the largest territory of
all Swiss cantons, while remaining the most sparsely populated with stunning
mountain scenery (CHs. 1-2). The Graubünden borders the Southern Tyrol, Austria
and Liechtenstein. Linguistically it has a population in part Romansch-speaking,
with the other languages referred to also used albeit little French. The canton
has traditional importance as a crossing-point between south and north Europe.
The photography of the scenery in this collection is particularly appealing
with villages and mountain peaks deep in snow seemingly always under an azure
blue sky. The village of Sils and its tranquil unfrozen lake, feature three
times, with the hoar frost deep on the branches of the trees. Life goes on
despite the snow; cars and skiers get around (CHS. 5, 14 and 16). The village
of Guarda is also interesting with the characterful decorated exteriors of
the buildings. The village of Bergel, set within a valley surrounded by imposing
mountains, which are the source of the Rhine and Po rivers along with the
lesser-known Inn (CH.10). This most interesting village contains the imposing
houses of former patricians (CH.13).
As well as cars, which seem to get about with ease, there is also the electrified
Bernina rail line (CH.6) which does not stop for ice or leaves on the track
and the cable railway up to the well known ski resort of St Moritz. Mind you,
if cars or rail are beneath you there are the horse-drawn sleighs at Fextal.
A trip in one of those is a bit like posing in a gondola while being punted
up the Grand Canal in Venice, or the Cam at Cambridge, except that you have
to wrap an elegant rug around your knees (CH.17).
The pastoral music of Handel’s Concerti Grossi make an ideal accompaniment
to the visit.
With its variety of visual situations, well divided into seventeen chapters,
along with Handel’s music, this is one of the best of this series to come
my way.
Robert J Farr