Heidi & Peter
Mario Bürki for Concert Band

THE COMPOSITION
With her Heidi books Johanna Spyri created a romantic and ideal-typical view of Switzerland that lasts to this day. In her books she also describes the misery of the lower social classes in Switzerland in the 19th Century: She tells the story of aunt “Dete”, who has to work as a housemaid, and her niece, the orphan girl Heidi. Illustration: Rudolf Münger In the first Heidi novel we learn how the orphan girl is brought to an alp above Mayenfeld, a village in the Swiss canton of Graubunden. She is brought there to live with her grandfather, the “Alpöhi”, who lives like a hermit. Until then, her aunt Dete had been looking after Heidi since the death of her mother. Aunt Dete brings Heidi to the “Alpöhi” who, to begin with, doesn’t like the idea of having to look after the girl. However, he warms up to Heidi and starts providing a nice home for her. Heidi becomes acquainted with a boy of her own age called Peter (Geissenpeter) and spends a lot of time with him when he is herding the goats to pastures high up in the mountains where the goats from the village feast. One of Heidi’s most favourite things on the alp is listening to the fir trees behind her grandfather’s hut, rustling in the wind. One day however, aunt Dete returns to the alp to take Heidi away. She wants to bring her to Frankfurt to become the companion of the paralysed Klara Sesemann. Once in Frankfurt, Klara accepts Heidi as a friend. Only the housemaid Ms Rottenmeier is not impressed with the new girl. She is shocked when she discovers that Heidi had never learned how to read. Klara’s grandmother finally convinces Heidi to learn how to read. Heidi however misses the mountains very much and her health deteriorates while living with the Sesemanns in Frankfurt. The loneliness causes Heidi to sleepwalk. Mr Sesemann and his doctor decide to send Heidi back to the mountains. Heidi gets put on a train home. The piece „Heidi und Peter“, commissioned by conductor Christian Marti for his 10 year anniversary as conductor of Konkordia Mels, is written in five movements, describing various sections of Johanna Spyri’s novel: 1st Movement: Overture and Heidi Heidi, despite being saddened by the untimely death of her mother, is a happy and bright child. The overture describes Heidi and her surroundings at the beginning of the novel. 2nd Movement: On the Alp with the Alpöhi Heidi is being brought to the grumpy and isolated “Alpöhi”. This movement describes the beautiful alpine landscape and its fauna. 3rd Movement: Geissenpeter Peter is very lively and full of energy. He has no fear when he is in the Alps, climbing over rocks and stones with his goats. He is oblivious to dangers such as thunderstorms and falling rocks! 4th Movement: In Frankfurt with Klara Despite Heidi’s friendship with Klara, she never gets used to living with aunt Dete in Frankfurt. Heidi becomes more and more homesick, missing the mountains and the “Alpöhi”. 5th Movement: Finale (Heidi gets to return to the alp) Heidi is allowed to return to the mountains where “Alpöhi” and Peter are looking forward to her return. Heidi is relieved and happy!