Paper short abstract:

Our paper focuses on the sensory-acoustic construction of “Swissness” based upon popular sounds and tones. We aim to analyse the intertwined processes of artistic-technical producing, institutionally controlled collecting, and user-centered receiving of popular music through the medium of radio.

Paper long abstract:

Our presentation investigates the acoustic construction and distribution of “Swissness” by means of (popular) music. The paper will report the first findings of our current joint research project with the Universities of Basle, Lucerne and Zurich in cooperation with the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. At the core of the project is the Duer Collection – a compilation of approximately 8,000 audiotapes with “Swiss popular music” collected by the musicologist Fritz Duer on behalf of Swiss Radio International (SRI) between 1957 and 1967 in order to establish a musical Swiss visiting card.

The circulation of a national image of Switzerland, which was constructed, strengthened, and negotiated through the practice with data carriers is twofold. Firstly, the compilation of copied tapes among the regional SBC radio stations, which had a canonising function and gave the Duer Collection the character of a “meta-collection”. Secondly, radio broadcasting enabled the circulation of an acoustic image of the “Stimme der Schweiz” (Voice of Switzerland) around the world. By means of a case study we will follow the journey of one song from the collection, starting with its production (recording), its selection for the Duer Collection, and finally to its use in radio programmes.

How did the fixation of musical performances on data carriers and the circulation of those within the institutions of the SBC possibly lead to the formation an acoustic catalogue of Switzerland?

And finally, how did the processes and practices of mediation and broadcasting via radio influence the acoustic construction of an integrated ideal of acoustic “Swissness”?