The Appenzell people have always been known as being musical. In the 19th century, instrumentation was more or less incidental. The fiddle and dulcimer were normally played for dancing purposes. Accompanying these instruments were the double bass or the «Basett». Practically during the whole of the second half of the 19th century , the so-called «Appenzell Quartett» was known throughout the whole country. In 1892, the «Appenzell String Quintett» was formed. It received its final formation at the turn of the century and remained unchanged until the First World War. Since then, this composition of instruments is known as the Original String Music and has been all along dance music, i.e. it is known that it was expected from a good violin player that he knew approx. 500 pieces of dance music off by heart.

Instruments

Basett:
Das The basett is a string instrument which in size and sound lies between a double bass and cello.


Dulcimer:
Das The dulcimer is a wide zither which is hit by hammers or tongues. In the 11th century, it came from the Middle East to Europe and was increasingly popular among society between the 17th and 19th centuries.

Quartett Appenzell:
Belonging to this group were Ignaz Dörig (violin), Josef Anton Inauen (violin), Anton Maria Klarer (Basett) and Jakob Anton Knill (dulcimer). In particular, Ignaz Dörig and Jakob Anton Knill were excellent players and good composers too. Their compositions are still being played today.


The musicians and dances

Appenzell String Quartett:
The musicians were Anton Moser (violin), Jakob Neff (violin), Josef Moser (cello), August Inauen (bass), Josef Peterer (dulcimer).

Dances:
The most common type of dances are the walz, mazurka, «Schottish» and polka. Characteristic of Inner Rhodes are the «Hierig» and the «Schicktanz». The «Hierig» is an old pantomine dance where, in a happy way, a loving couple is portrayed falling out and then making up.